The right direction┬áKeith Regan details how an aggressive acquisition strategy has made it possible for Eveready Directional Boring to be a full-service provider to oil fields and other industries. When Lyle Jeffries first launched his directional boring business in the Canadian province of Alberta, it was with a single piece of equipment capable mainly of helping contractors install utilities without digging open trenches.

Patient privacy┬áKeith Regan learns how Halifax Medical CenterÔÇÖs building project modernizes healthcare delivery to the fast-growing Florida population without losing touch with the past. Halifax Medical Center of Daytona Beach is the Florida coastal cityÔÇÖs primary hospital, featuring the areaÔÇÖs only Level II trauma center and the only pediatrics emergency department.

A well oiled team┬áFred Baker tells Gay Sutton about the changes taking place in the Canadian oil and gas exploration sector and how Milestone Exploration is reshaping its strategy for new circumstances. YouÔÇÖd think that with oil prices rising so dramatically over the last couple of years and governments focusing on security of supply, being in the oil and gas exploration business would be highly attractive. And you would be right.

Taking the heat┬áAubrey Eveleigh, COO of MetalCORP, talks to Gay Sutton about the strategic value of finding a rare unique metal, rhenium, in Ontario. Not many of us are likely to experience a genuine Eureka momentÔÇöthat instant when you realize without a doubt that you have discovered something outstanding and unique.

Electronics retailer Circuit City announced it is pulling the plug on about 20 percent of its US stores, in an attempt to conserve cash and return the company to profitability. ┬á The Richmond, Virginia based retailer said the closures will reduce the companyÔÇÖs domestic work force 17 percent by shutting 155 of its more than 700 stores in 55 markets, including Phoenix and Atlanta, by the end of the year.

Improvement┬ápioneer┬áAndrew Pelis learns how lean manufacturing, six sigma and an exceptional supply chain keep McKesson Automation at the forefront of pharmaceutical distribution. Based in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, McKesson Automation, Inc. began as Automated Healthcare, a company founded in 1987 by Sean McDonald, one of healthcareÔÇÖs leading technology innovators.

US credit card lender American Express has unveiled plans to reduce its workforce by 10 percent in order to save $1.8 billion by the end of 2009.  ┬á Around 7000 jobs will be cut, mostly at management level or in areas which do not deal directly with customers. Amex also announced a recruitment freeze and the suspension of next year's management pay rises. Spending on travel, consulting and entertainment will also be cut.

A complete approach to power┬áPristine Power is a relative newcomer to the Canadian sustainable power generation market, but its founders and managers are old hands, determined to take it into the top ten within the next four years.  Pristine came into being following the meltdown of the electricity markets in 2001/2002.

German car maker Volkswagen has risen above the economic slowdown with an increase in profits for the third quarter, thanks to booming sales in emerging markets.  ┬á Net profit from July to September rose 28 percent to 1.2 billion euros ($1.6 billion), with increased demand in China, Russia and India helping to offset slowing sales in Europe and the US. ┬á┬á VW says it continues to believe that its deliveries, sales and profits will exceed last year's levels in spite of the global economic slowdown and financial crisis.

US consumer confidence fell to a record low in October, under pressure from the global financial crisis, home repossessions and company lay-offs of workers.  ┬á The Conference Board said its monthly consumer confidence index fell to 38, down from a revised 61.4 in September and below analysts' expectations of 52. This is its lowest level since the board began tracking consumer sentiment in 1967. ┬á┬á The Conference Board conducts a survey of 5,000 US households to gauge consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of the US economy.