Competitive advantage

The most important attribute that Warren Buffet looks for in a company is "sustainable competitive advantage". According to author Erica Olsen, competitive advantage can be boiled down to one question: what is a company best at in its market and why? Olsen suggests that the best companies always understand their competitive advantage and make it a key aspect of planning, strategy and growth.
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China

China is an economic superpower. According to the World Bank, China has been the world’s leading producer of steel, copper, aluminum, cement, and coal for several years. China is second in oil imports and is the world's second largest auto market. With ample supplies of money, resources, and people, the world's fastest growing economy will continue its unprecedented growth into the 21st century.
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Energy costs

CEOs have ranked energy costs as one of their biggest challenges, according to the Business Roundtable's Energy Task Force. Energy prices are rising in the face of increasing demand. Public policy has leaned against nuclear and coal energy sources, drilling and building oil refineries. At the same time, global demand has risen steadily, especially from new powerhouse economies in Asia and Europe.
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Social computing

Social computing, via websites such as FaceBook and Twitter, puts power in communities, not institutions. As more individuals use the Internet to shop, work, and exchange ideas, a more egalitarian social structure is emerging. Individuals take cues from one another, rather than traditional sources of authority — like corporations, media outlets, political institutions or organized religions.
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CEO Express

CEOExpress.com, the executive’s interface to the Internet, employs expert human editors and "mind ergonomics" to deliver the most critical and useful web information in a clear, easy-to-use format. CEOExpress filters and organizes the content executives need on the Internet while adding features to the site to make their lives even more streamlined and efficient.
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Vacation benefits

There is no federal law that requires employers to provide vacation time, paid or unpaid, to its employers. Most employees consider it to be one of their most important benefits. Workplace experts agree that it is important to productivity and morale for employees to take time off in order to rest and rejuvenate. The typical U.S. worker receives ten vacation days per year.
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10/80/10 Performance Principal

The 10/80/10 Performance Principal identifies workers in three categories. The first 10% are self-starters; they possess the right skills, knowledge and beliefs to be highly effective. The middle 80% represents the adaptors; employees with some of the skills and knowledge to be successful. The last 10% represent workers that will not be successful regardless of training or direction.
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