Technical and technological skills will take on　greater importance. There will be a growing need for　people who can understand and fix systems--from　computer systems to product distribution systems to　plumbing systems.


　　Visionary skills will be in demand. The ability to　gather and absorb a wide range of input ,then use that　knowledge, understanding, and perspective to guide　organization into future, will be vital.

　　Numbers and measurement will be important, of　course, but smoothing the flow form month to month,　from quarter to quarter will be essential for highly　profitable long-term performance. Practically every　company will have to move away from today's obsession　with looking ahead only as far as the next financial　reporting period.

　　Ability to organize will definitely be important　in the corporation of the future. Everywhere there　will be a need to organize something: resources,　workflow, marketing mix, financial opportunities, and　much more, all will demand high levels of organization and reorganization.

　　Persuasive skills will be used in many ways by the　corporation of the future, the most-effective　individuals will be those who know how to present　information and ideas so that others can understand　and support a particular position. Good salesmanship　will be essential in many more interactions than we　consider today, especially inside the organization.

　　Communication skills--careful listening, clear　writing, close reading, plain speaking, and accurate　description--will be invaluable. In tomorrow's　fast-paced business environment there will be precious　little time to correct any misunderstandings.　Communications breakdown may well become a fatal　corporate disease.

　　Ability to learn will be above everything else in　importance--empowering people to grow in effectiveness　and help their companies achieve desired objectives.　Some of this skill is innate, but many people enhance　their ability to learn--and to relate different　aspects of learning--through college and university　courses. We believe the liberal arts education　experience will prove to be the most valuable type of　education for tomorrow's leaders.

　　The top employees of the coming century will be　flexible, creative and motivated toward making a　positive difference in the world. They will seek　balance, growth and fulfillment in both their work and　home environments. The corporation of the future must　respond to these needs and desires; otherwise they　will find themselves hampered by a lack of qualified　people to accomplish the organization's work.