Bounce Back

The images of Sept. 11 are seared into our memories: The World Trade Center burning and collapsing. Debris-covered executives and office workers stumbling out of New York's financial district. Family, friends, and even strangers grieving over the inexplicable loss of thousands of people. What fewer observers are seeing is the behind-the-scenes effort of business to recover, which began literally moments after the attack. Business and technology managers are playing a critical role, channeling their energies into a recovery process that continues today.

InformationWeek recently visited three New York financial-services companies and two trading exchanges to see how they succeeded--and how they're coping today. J.P. Morgan Chase reduced to five days a six-week project to move into new offices in time for the reopening of the markets. The New York Stock Exchange cleared space on its trading floor so the rival American Stock Exchange could operate temporarily while it rebuilt its own trading floor.

Stories like these have compelled InformationWeek to launch a regular weekly section, called Regeneration, devoted to the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, with an emphasis on rebuilding and renewal. It will be about the people, technology, and business strategies that help companies not only recuperate but hopefully grow stronger.