Unless companies do what they can now to keep employees content, they'll face a huge exodus of talent once the economy turns around, Toddi Gutner reports.

In recent contract auctions, US oil companies and other international majors were all but shut out. This continues a shocking shift in global oil power -- and investors should pay attention.

After throttling down for a depression that didn't happen, companies are sitting on billions in excess money. The likely result: A spending spree that could get the economy rolling.