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Who wants to be a billionaire?

Word has reached CJTowers that yet another chief executive of a construction group is placing more emphasis on turnover, by stating that he is aiming for £1bn. Don't these people realise their unrealistic turnover ambitions are the root cause of many of the industry's ailments, especially the low margins that have restricted reinvestment?

Our source said: "We should have a dream, where construction companies will be judged by their respect for their people, their value to their clients and their profits." In other words - megalomania OUT.

Young Turks rule

Osborne is on a mission - and one that calls for a steady nerve. As CJ readers know, the go-ahead construction group covering the south of England decided that the best way to tap into the vibrant knowledge of its younger employees was to round up the best of them, create a group development team (GDT) and give them their head.

When the GDT members filed into an Osborne board meeting a year ago to make their first presentation they were hesitant, in awe of the dignities strung round the table in front of them and taking questions with a degree of diffidence.

But my, how things have changed. The young Turks decided to take control and today they zap into Osborne's board meeting first, grab the places they want, leaving the suits to take the remaining places. And the tricky questions now flow in the opposite direction: from the GDT to the board.

"It's powerful and invigorating," says newly appointed chief executive Nick Yandle. Does he feel threatened? Not at all. He even welcomes the GDT's proposal that it should replace the board.

Hit or miss

Peter Orton, chief executive of Hit Entertainment, the company which owns Bob the Builder, has agreed a licensing deal with toy giant Hasbro to make a range of talking and moving Bobs. However, when Orton attended a meeting with Allen Hassenfeldt, the Hasbro chairman, Hassenfeldt greeted him in full Bob the Builder costume, complete with hard hat. All of which leads us to say thank goodness that Hasbro does not make Barbie dolls as well.