Frustrating Thoughts of the Week

Last night I was watching a programme on the construction of the Birdsnest Olympic Stadium in Beijing (above). They mentioned how they resourced the workers for the construction team, and it got me thinking. So I have put this thought and some others that have perplexed me over the last week into a 'top 5 thoughts of frustration for the week', below:

1. The contractors building the Birdsnest Stadium needed 1000 welders  for the huge amounts of steel in the project. They didn't import welders from other countries (which is exactly what the UK industry does), they recruited chinese people with a technical aptitude and trained them on the job to be welders - and it worked!
   Q - Do you think the the contractors for the London 2012 constructions will be as creative in their recruitment? (I think we already know the answer!!)
2. I have recently been looking to purchase a CRM package for my company. Why is the customer relationship management of CRM Software Vendors so appalling?
3. Just because there are many redundancies in the marketplace, why do companies think it is OK to assume the talent shortages are over?
4. Why do companies who sell services into the UK recruitment sector, think that individuals called Derek and Julie (or any other brit sounding name) with very strong accents (to the point of non-understanding) will be successful selling their products?
5. Why do new managers persist with the 'old school' individuals when they have consistently underperformed previously? And what is young with young hungry individuals who are ready to step up the plate? (Obviously aimed at Fabio Capello, the new England Football coach!)

Do you have any other Friday thoughts of frustration?