Defense lawyers also appear to be trying to portray government prosecutors as singling out Mr. Scrushy and trying to persuade former executives to implicate him in the fraud.

Moreover, the bargains have not yet persuaded executives at large commercial banks to start buying back outstanding issues.

For that reason, Chase may have a difficult time persuading executives to invest in its new art fund.

As usually happened when Ms. Giordano got involved, she had persuaded executives at Aon to show up.

Mr. Dimmling could persuade executives around the world to cooperate on joint financial reporting systems, like the one he finished that last weekend for Marsh Inc.

And doubtless he will not be shy about persuading executives to make those moves.

The efforts seem to be persuading executives that they need to listen to shareholders or risk their jobs and control over their company.

It looked like a big gamble when Louis Sito persuaded executives at Newsday to start a Spanish-language daily newspaper three years ago.

Mr. Schwab may also be having trouble persuading executives - particularly American executives - to fly to Switzerland and gather so visibly in Davos.

When the Fox station, WFLD, leaped to buy it, Father Pfleger persuaded executives there to edit out any physical violence.