Hewitt's chief executive, Russ Fradin, will run the combined consulting and outsourcing operation, which will be called Aon Hewitt.

FORBES

But, ironically, the Japanese automaker would never consider outsourcing a quality-sensitive operation like a body shop or paint shop, says Jeffrey Liker, a University of Michigan engineering professor and author of The Toyota Way.

FORBES: Saving Chrysler

Even the most stubbornly hands-on entrepreneurs should probably consider outsourcing their Web sites--both the operation and design.

FORBES: Does Your Web Site Suck?

Given all that outsourcing, it is no wonder that Amazon's own operation is the lean-and-hungry kind.

ECONOMIST: Electronic commerce