Bands this heavily populated sometimes face a tendency to pack on the layers until an album collapses under its own weight.

NPR: The Rest: An Artfully Unsteady Pocket Orchestra

But, with a number of teams strengthening their squads for next season, Soliola is aware of the difficult task Saints face in again trying to finish 2010 at the head of the pack.

BBC: Saints signing wants strong show

As do their clients, EMS firms face declining operating margins and must constantly add new value to stay ahead of the pack.

FORBES: Bill Morean's $1.2 billion haircut

Their new efforts, the Vita and 3DS respectively, now face a huge and quickly expanding install base for smartphones and tablets with Apple leading the pack.

FORBES: Apple Doubles Profits with iPhone and iPad Sales