Most managerial work happens through talk-discussions, meetings, presentations, and negotiations. In "The Power of Talk: Who Gets Heard and Why," linguist Deborah Tannen argues that conversational style often over rides what we say, affecting who gets heard, who gets credit, and what gets done.

World View. Private investment in infrastructure is again the rage among foreign investors and governments in the developing countries of Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Managers should not get carried away, however: A look at a few recent experiences shows that the pitfalls of the past are still present today.

Perspectives. CEOs can no longer afford to rely solely on information technology managers when making IT investment decisions. Because IT now affects every aspect of a business, CEOs must inform themselves about technology and get involved in planning and decision making..