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Here are five choice articles from the business press to start off your workweek. I'm pointing you to articles about China, leadership in a crisis, the shipping industry, social network marketing, and motivation and retention.

From Foreign Policy: The China Bubble's Coming -- But Not the One You Think
"Financial commentators are obsessively debating whether the recent rise in the Chinese stock market means there's a bubble -- and if so, when it's going to burst. My take? Who cares! What happens to the broader Chinese economy is what we should really be watching. It will have a far-reaching impact on the rest of the world -- much more far-reaching than a decline in stocks."

Wally's Comment: There have been dozens of predictions that this would be the Chinese century. I don't think so. There are too many big challenges, both cultural and economic, that China will need to face. Here's a good article on the economy and potential disaster ahead.

From Knowledge at Wharton: Leadership Strategies for Dealing with the Crisis
"Against the backdrop of the worldwide financial crisis, Madrid ExpoManagement, the largest conference for European managers, took place at the end of May. Organized by management training firm HSM, the event offered business leaders and experts in human resources, marketing, finance, psychology and politics the opportunity to discuss strategies for managing companies and personnel during the ongoing global recession. High on the list of priorities, they said, is developing executives who are flexible and able to bring people together around a common goal."

Wally's Comment: As far too many people have said, "a crisis is a terrible thing to waste." One thing you can do in a crisis is develop skills that will strengthen you for whatever economic weather threatens.

From the Economist: Sea of troubles
"The recession is buffeting the world of shipping—with even rougher waters ahead"

Wally's Comment: The shipping industry is one of those things we depend on without realizing it until things go bad. Well, they might go bad.

From HBS Working Knowledge: Social Network Marketing: What Works?
"New research by Harvard Business School Professor Sunil Gupta suggests that viral may be the way to go in these connected worlds. But first it's important to understand both who influences purchase decisions in online communities and which groups of users can be influenced."

Wally's Comment: One of the big challenges today is sorting out the hype from the hope on social network marketing. Here's a reasoned discussion.

From Univ of Phoenix: Motivation and Retention
"Humans are the ever-changing variable in the equation of determining the success or failure of motivation and retention.

Wally's Comment: Here's someone who seems to have a good idea about what motivation is and isn't and what you, as a boss, can and can't do. And here's the money quote for me: "You can’t motivate people, but you can create a motivating environment." Good lesson.

Wally's Working Supervisor's Support Kit is a collection of information and tools to help working supervisors do a better job. It's based on what Wally's learned in over twenty years of supervisory skills training. Click here to check it out.