1. Which functions of human resources management are described in this case? Which are missing? In what ways, if any, are the missing functions relevant to building competitive advantage, too?
2. The writer and people interviewed talk about competitive advantage coming from the qualities of a company’s top executives. To what extent do these principles apply to middle managers, supervisors, and non-management employees?

As the U.S. economy moves from recession to recovery, businesses are obsessively focused on risk management, cost containment, supply-chain sustainability, resource efficiency, and maintaining their competitive edge.
Yet a company's success-or lack thereof-in any or all of these areas will be moot unless it recognizes and deals with its vulnerabilities related to retention and succession.
Business results will be predicated by an organization's approach to executive talent management.
Bill Conaty, who spent four decades in human resources leadership roles at General Electric (GE), effectively synthesized this agenda. He stated that gaining a decided advantage over the competition starts with attracting the right talent to the organization.