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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 Starbucks, building a niche business, what the CEO wants from HR, trust, and PC v Apple.

From Business Week: Starbucks: Howard Schultz vs. Howard Schultz
"Starbucks' iconoclastic founder has gone through reeducation in the rigors of running a more typical company. That doesn't mean he has to like it."

Wally's Comment: I think that Starbucks is flailing around trying to find something that works because they don't have a clear idea of how they want to act as a grownup.

From Entrepreneur: 5 Steps to Building a Successful Niche Business
"From aquatic sporting goods for dogs to Michelle Obama-inspired fashion websites, niche products and services have the potential to generate big bucks if they capture the hearts, minds and wallets of a dedicated consumer base. Unlike conglomerates that target the masses, niche businesses cater to highly defined markets that are often over-looked, underserved or disenfranchised by larger competitors. With an abundance of available outlets, resources and online platforms, identifying and reaching a target audience has never been easier for small business owners. Are you ready to become the big fish in a small pond? Is your passion unique enough to turn a profit? Here are 5 steps to make your niche business a hit."

Wally's Comment: Niche's are where the profit is. This article is aimed at small business start-ups, but there are thinking points here for everyone.

From Workforce Management: What the CEO Wants From HR
"At successful global corporations, the CEO wants one thing from the top hr officer: a strong pipeline of high-level leaders that will drive business growth. At successful large companies, interaction between the CEO and the chief HR executive revolves around building and maintaining the very top layer of corporate leaders—and little below that. "

Wally's Comment: What do CEOs really want? Can HR deliver?

From the Economist: A question of trust
"Guiding Peugeot-Citroën through the recession will be hard. Philippe Varin must get along with the owners."

Wally's Comment: Being the outside in a family business is tough. Turnarounds are tough. The recession is tough on car companies. So you can imagine that Philippe Varin is about to have his mettle tested.

From Reuters: PC makers take aim at Apple with new laptops
"PC makers which have long coveted a slice of Apple Inc's market will get their chance with new, powerful ultra-thin laptops less costly than Macs. But much depends on their ability to match Apple's chic aura and reputation for reliability."

Wally's Comment: I don't think that what PC makers do will have much impact on Apple one way or the other. The very fact that a major news service can write a story about how the personal computer with 90 percent market share wants to take share away from the maker with 10 percent tells you that Apple's got some mojo that no single PC maker is likely to match. And, oh yes, they make that music thing and the phone.

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.