But President Obama's announcements in January, about his intentions to consolidate a half-dozen business-focused agencies, have captured more than the usual amount of attention. And more recently, Senate hearings, too, have generated interest -- and some sense of encouragement -- as they concentrate on eliminating duplicative programs.

To be sure, most business and finance executives are all for government agencies operating more efficiently. But at the same time, they want some assurance that those groups that have been effective --- and particularly those that help businesses compete --- retain the clout and the resources they need to do their job. As a result, CFOs and other execs are expressing both cautious optimism and concern about the plans.

Ask Mike Stanek, chief financial officer of , about consolidation that could combine small-business-related agencies, and you hear what the issue is. "Each entity has a somewhat different focus. There's a concern that they don't lose that focus," says Stanek, whose Berea, Ohio-based company manufactures and distributes dry and liquid toners and developers.

In January, President Obama asked Congress for the ," with the idea in mind of eliminating waste and inefficiency. According to the president, many previous administrations have had this authority.