Within twenty-four hours of attacks, nation had already seen evidence of profiteering by a small number of businesses, particularly in petroleum industry. We are a nation at war. A war unlike any we have fought before, but nonetheless a war. Any who take advantage of this to gouge nation are unworthy of our great country. It is incumbent upon our corporate leaders to guard against even appearance of such practices.

A second necessary counterblow is for corporate leaders to demonstrate their resolve by boldly moving forward and not retreating in a struggling economy. We have seen massive layoffs throughout year. Sometimes cost cutting is necessary, however, we cannot cut our way to growth. We must innovate, reconfigure our resources and if necessary, by sheer grit of willpower, thrust our companies forward with ultimatum to grow. It seems today that whenever we face slightest economic adversity, our response as leaders is to pull back, retrench and "rightsize" in an attempt to protect what we have. It is time to remember that when "going gets tough, tough get going." We are now engaged in a war against tyranny and terror, a war that must be fought upon two fronts, military/political front by our government and marketplace/free enterprise front by our businesses. It is time to quit whining about economy and begin to take concerted action as business leaders to turn it around. In war, one cannot accept retreat and failure. Why? Because one's very existence is at stake. Now, our economic livelihood is at stake and with it a way of life that we cherish and well we should, as it has made us most prosperous nation in history.

To protect this way of life in face of those who will stop at no atrocity, no matter how heinous, to destroy it and us as world's super power both economically and militarily, we must bootstrap ourselves out of current economic slump. This can be done and quickly, if as leaders we will commit to not accepting status quo and all comfortable excuses that come with it. If we, in our businesses will adopt a fighting mentality, understanding that we must succeed in order to protect our nation and our way of life, then we cannot and will not fail. This commitment requires that we abandon our preoccupation with short term results and adopt a mindset of investing into America's future. We have been short changing ourselves by focusing on today's bottom line. Our decision making must be guided by where we need to be in six months, a year and five years, rather than at end of present fiscal quarter. Furthermore, we must be willing to send that same message to our stockholders and debt markets. We are going for future rewards, not present day payoff.

Given this renewed mindset, we can as a nation pull ourselves out of present economic slowdown and get back on high road to long term growth and prosperity. Some sectors that were over-invested will undoubtedly experience shakeout, but this is merely another beneficial facet of our free enterprise system. In so doing, capital will be freed up and reinvested into other sectors that offer more realistic opportunities for potential growth.

Today, we are at a national crises. Once again, we are threaten by an external enemy. Although what has happened is terrible and nothing will ever compensate for enormous loss of life, suffering and grief, there is one redeeming aspect. It is opportunity for men and women of vision who have been placed into positions of leadership to remind us once again that properly led, Americans will overcome any enemy, no matter how depraved. It is time for our corporate leaders to join forces, putting aside petty and selfish self interests, and publicly help our President in bringing America out of this dark hour. Our great nation deserves no less!

4. Develop your professional performance as recommended by your coach. Did you ever see a batter change his stance after a few words from his coach. And then see his batting average go higher? Of course. How do you suppose a great ballerina gets so graceful? Believe me, with all natural ability in world, she doesn't see into design and intent of choreographer of piece way her coach does.

5. Refine your choice of markets to penetrate in accord with insights of your coach. Your coach knows your business. There may be emerging markets you never thought of targeting. These markets may be in sunrise industries, industries just at beginning of their ascendancy. Picture yourself growing as these markets grow. Imagine yourself becoming an industry expert, even industry expert.

6. Go after specific companies your coach sees as best for you. (Imagine that in early 1980's your coach suggested that you go see college-dropout founder of a new software company he just named Microsoft. That company is hiring lots of people who need what you have. Bingo!)

7. Develop your long-term strategy to build your career in concert with your coach. Odds are that your coach has a vision of possible for you transcending your own. Your coach, like driver of semi next to you on Interstate, can see beyond horizon you see. And when you make it big-time, your coach will bask in glow of your success. A great coach takes no credit, accepts no credit. A great coach insists that since you were on field of play, since you were one making moves, credit all goes to you.