Agility: business, watch the candidates and learn...

It's been nearly impossible to tear my eyes away from the computer as of late, because the news is as engaging as... a train wreck. We have financial giants on their knees begging for federal assistance. Plus candidates wriggling to get into new, advantageous positions vis a vis each day's hot issues.

[caption id="attachment_70" align="alignleft" width="80" caption="Gumby knows how to bend with the times."][/caption]

Well, the candidates take it a little far, and tend to be transparent at times. Since yesterday, McCain and Obama have become deeply, deeply concerned about regulating Wall Street. Also, McCain has shrugged off his "experience matters" overcoat to embrace the clearly untested Palin. Obama is sweating to shed his image as an "elitist" and become dearer to the working folks whose votes he so badly needs.

Sure, it's nauseating to watch. (I said "train wreck", did I not?) At the same time, I think our illustrious candidates have a lesson for Wall Street.

Think fast! Act quickly! Change when conditions demand it. And most of all, stay agile. Sinking behomoths like AIG are simply too massive and sleepy to respond promptly when market conditions demand.

Responsiveness is one area in which smaller businesses, or larger ones with smaller, "independent" units, have the winning edge. Although maintaining more credibility than a politician.... is good too!