Though it could well be the last year of turbulence, 2004 may not bring the 'recovery' we've all been waiting for. Many challenges remain: unemployment is still unresolved, growth still weak, and the disequilibrium between dollar and euro still wreaking havoc. At last month's World Economic Forum in Davos, economists and business leaders concurred that 2005 should see growth restored. But regardless how fast the light at the end of the tunnel is approaching, it's now time to act on a number of fronts. Particularly, resource allocation will be even more critical to a company's performance and competitive positioning.