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This article presents the business tactics used by John Deere's chief executive officer, Bob Lane, to revive an established brand and product for both consistency and growth. Lane's leadership initiatives included changing expectations from good work to great business. He retooled the bonus structure to tie incentives to short term goals and performance recognition. Setting financial benchmarks also kept employees and board members conscious of growth.

The article profiles Frank Blake, the chief executive officer of Home Depot. Blake has seen great success by getting advice from Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus, the company's once-estranged founders. Experts have applauded Blake's recognition of the value of retired executives, who can be an incredible resource. INSET: STEPPING DOWN GRACEFULLY--OR NOT.

This article is a comment on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter plane which is scheduled for its maiden flight in Fort Worth, Texas in November 2006. The U.S. and eight of its allies have already committed $40 billion to the program, which is projected to be the most expensive in Pentagon history. Lockheed Martin CEO Robert Stevens hopes that other Allies will join in a commitment by the end of the year.

The article discusses Indra Nooyi's ascent to CEO of PepsiCo on October 1, 2006. The move makes Pepsi the largest U.S. company with a woman in charge. Pepsi has maintained a diverse workplace since 2001 when CEO Steve Reinemund enforced a rule stating that half of all new hires had to be women or minorities.

The article mentions Abraham Lincoln's political strategy at the 1860 Republican National Convention and the book of Doris Kearns Goodwin, "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. She comments on President Lincoln's decision to hire rival politicians in his administration, including William Seward, Salmon Chase, and Edward Bates.

The article looks at the various drugs embraced by psychiatry to treat mental illness since 1884. Sigmund Freud praised cocaine as a drug to treat depression. Amphetamines were used to treat nasal congestion, and in World War II, soldiers used them to stay alert and improve their moods. Barbituates were marketed for medical use. Valium became popular in the 1970's and were featured in the novel "Valley of the Dolls," by Jacqueline Susann. The book "Listening to Prozac," by Peter Kramer, is mentioned.

The article presents an interview with Vera Wang, CEO of Vera Wang Group. Discussed are the importance of having a sanctuary, juggling business with the creative aspects of her work, prioritization, the importance of doing business personally, time management, and the importance of being able to be reached by her staff.

Assesses the impact of budget deficits on the implementation of federal environmental protection programs in the U.S. Role of the U.S. Environmental and Protection Agency in the implementation of the programs; Percentage of programs handed by the federal governments to the U.S. states; Details of the problem of the Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality over implementation of federal programs.