Executive Tribune, is a newly launched online publication focusing on the distinct career needs of executives, responding to current and pressing career issues with both relevant information and expert advice. From Simon Group Ltd., an executive career coaching firm.

Bullhorn Inc., a maker of software that helps companies with staffing and recruiting, has received $26 million in financing from a consortium led by area venture capital firms Highland Capital Partners of Lexington and General Catalyst Partners of Cambridge. The investment will allow the company to expand its regional markets and accelerate development of products. Joining the board of Bullhorn will be Bob Davis, a general partner at Highland, and John Simon, a managing director at General Catalyst. (Robert Weisman).

US Investigations Services, LLC (USIS), provider of pre-employment and drug testing screening solutions and provider of security investigations to the Federal Government, and HireRight, Inc., provider of on-demand employment background and drug screening solutions, have signed a definitive agreement to merge through a transaction valued at approximately $195 million. Under terms of the agreement, which was approved by both companies' boards of directors, USIS will pay HireRight stockholders $15.60 per share in cash. HireRight will be combined with the USIS Commercial Services Division.

Accurate Background Inc., a background screening firm, completed the Taleo 7.5 certification for its comprehensive web-based solution.

Bradley-Morris, Inc., an Atlanta-based military placement firm, received national certification as a Women's Business Enterprise by the Georgia Women's Business Council, a regional certifying partner of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council.

Verified Person Inc., a national provider of on-demand background screening services, today announced the launch of Assure Business Edition, a full, on-demand integration of its popular Assure background screening interface into Taleo's Business Edition suite of recruitment software.

What grabs the interest on a venture capital firm when an entrepreneur makes a pitch? BloggingStocks.com interviews Gordon Ritter, the founder and general partner of Emergence Capital Partners, is one of the top venture capitalists in the on-demand space. Besides being the original VC in Salesforce.com, his firm has also funded companies, such as HireRight .

Q2 2008 Vistage CEO Confidence Index
The Q2 2008 Vistage CEO Confidence Index, continuing a downward trend that began more than a year ago, dropped to an all-time low of 69.6, down 2.4 points from Q1 2008. More than 40 percent of the CEOs surveyed believe the U.S. economy will continue to worsen during the next 12 months.

CEOs Stressed. Of almost 2,400 CEOs surveyed, 50% say they are more stressed this year than last. Only 3% of CEOs say they are experiencing less stress, while 44% expressed feeling the same stress level as last year. Economic uncertainty was their top-listed business issue for the second consecutive quarter, with financial and staffing issues close behind.

Slowdown in Hiring and Reducing Staff. Forty-three percent of all firms plan to add to their payrolls during the year ahead, the smallest proportion recorded in the last 5 years and down from 57% one year ago. One-in-six firms expect to reduce their staffs, making it the highest level of cutbacks recorded since the survey began in 2003. The slowdown in hiring is an indication that slower growth and economic uncertainty are taking their toll.