TOMORROW'S GLOBAL COMPANY INQUIRY___________

I am participating in Tomorrow's Global Company Inquiry (TGCI).

TGCI is a new initiative from the Tomorrow's Company Centre (www.tomorrowscompany.com) - led by Mark Goyder - which grew out of the RSA's original Tomorrow's Company in the mid 1990s. The vision of TCC is "a future for business which makes equal sense to staff, shareholders and society."

COMPANY MEMBERS: TGCI was formally launched in July. It is led by John Manzoni (Group Managing Director & CEO, Refining and Marketing BP) and Nandan Nilekani (CEO of Infosys). Other companies involved include: McKinsey, KPMG, Suez, Anglo-American, Ford and ABB. Brunswick are providing PR support.

INQUIRY QUESTIONS: The Inquiry is focussed on four key questions to help global business develop a clearer vision of its role, the conditions for its success in the future and the implications these answers will have for business strategy and leadership:

1. What should be the role of a company in society, globally and locally?

2. How should the future collaboration between the wealth-creating enterprises, the financial institutions, government and civil society be developed and managed?

3. How can companies lead, manage and benefit from a diverse workforce whilst maintaining a strong core purpose and set of values?

4. How can companies address their critics and form productive relationships which yield positive outcomes?

INQUIRY PROCESS: TGCI has already started gathering data and has run consultations around the world (Australia, India, USA) as well as several in the UK - including one hosted by BITC at KPMG. Additionally, there have been 1:1 interviews with corporate CEOs and thought-leaders. In addition to the main Inquiry team, there is a research faculty with representatives from each of the member companies as well as a number of other individuals - including myself. There will be a draft report by the end of the year and the final report will be published next April-May.

David Grayson 16-09-06