What kind of firm for tomorrow?

Ten years ago, French firms were quasi-decadent, their sole strategy being of riding the wave of reconstruction and aconomic boom. Today, despite "the crisis", they are winning again. French Management is participative, speaks new languages--English and microcomputing--considers training as an investment, has become socially acceptable. To stay on top, firms will have to meet new challenges: technological change, market globalisation or increasingly discerning customers. Answers lie in flexible and decentralised units, new managerial skills, endless search for quality, to reach excellence of operations. Answers also lie in business intelligence, "networking" and creativity to explore new paths. Tomorrow's success belong to firms with the proper blend of Innovation and Quality--the "Corporate IQ", made explicit by a Mission Statement (the key to personnel commitment) stating the goals, strategies and shared values to be pursued.