Innovation playbook

Chief Executive, The,  April-May, 2008  

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Congratulations on your excellent probing and revealing interview with Bill Johnson, CEO of H.J. Heinz ("Innovation Playbook," March 2008). Johnson's ability to develop the relationship with Nelson Peltz, which has resulted in the improved performance of the company, demonstrates the value of a challenging and constructive CEO/board member relationship.

Hopefully, more CEOs and board members will note this example of corporate governance in order to improve the performance of their organizations.

Roy Serpa

Retired CEO

Fairview, Texas

Readers respond to an Online column, "The National Debate We Should Be Having," where Chief Executive's J.P. Donlon asks how long the political cabaret of personalities will overshadow the continuing crisis in markets and global competitiveness that ought to be at the center of our national discussion.

I am sick of all the political bull about change. While I agree that we want change, the politicians don't get it. What we want is not change in leadership, we want real change in how our government is run. And, we want specific plans, not just a bunch of vague promises. I want to know specifically what we are going to do to solve our health care crisis (and the crisis is cost, which is fed by our misplaced idea that health care is an entitlement). I want to know what we are going to do about our runaway government spending, such as pork, Medicare, social security, defense and our extremely inefficient government. What are the specific plans on taxes, Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Iran, border security and the illegal aliens?

Yes, I want change. I want all of them out and replaced by people who are going to do what is right, not what gets them elected. We will not all agree on what is right, but I think we will all agree that doing something is better than doing nothing and staying the course.

Ron Wobbeking, FSA

President

Mass Marketing Division

Allianz Life Insurance

Minneapolis

In a country strong on rights and very much less about responsibilities, why are you surprised that the individual traits of presidential candidates trump the collective issues facing the country? Politicians have to find a way to get elected. They do not have to answer with performance after the polls have closed. Once the election takes place the government mandarins take over and nothing much changes.

The next few months are about the election of individuals and not about the economy or the country. It has been said frequently that the best thing that happened to Gore and the United States is that he did not get elected.

I am a political cynic on both sides of the border.

Vaughn F. McIntyre

St. Andrews By-the-Sea

New Brunswick, Canada

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