How J.C. Penney and Sears Could Have Steered Clear of the Slope of Death

Forget financial engineering. Sears is controlled by a hedge fund manager and Penney hired a CEO based on hedge fund input. Running a successful business and operating and successful hedge fund aren't one in the same.

Like the Slope of Death itself, business distress is often a long time in the making before having a material impact. Hopefully, Penney and Sears serve as a wakeup call to all.