But as economist Donald Luskin has written, small changes in GDP cause big swings in corporate operating leverage and thus in stock market values, investor animal spirits and consumer sentiment.

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Mr. PAUL GOLDBERGER (Author, "Up From Zero"): Things in the rebuilding process began very differently with a lot of high ideals and high hopes that we would be operating in a whole different set of values and parameters.

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New construction activity will inch upward, operating income will be a little better, and property values will level off.

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Number one is making sure that, you know, I'm operating in a way that is consistent with my core values: honesty, empathy, compassion.

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Thus the operating income gains will not translate into further increases in property values.

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In it, he defined eight characteristics of excellent companies: a bias for action, staying close to the customer, autonomy and entrepreneurship, productivity through people, clear and compelling organizational values, focusing on what you do best, operating with a lean staff, and finding a balance between having enough structure without getting stuck in it.

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