The really long view

As the 21st century draws near, one cannot help but wonder which companies are likely to thrive in the new era. Projecting corporate survival into the distant future may seem a flight of the imagination, but it highlights qualities important to the health of businesses large and small. Paul Shea of Dean Witter & Co. went out on a limb to make predictions. He identified 5 companies that should be around in 2100 based on a variety of criteria: DuPont, Ford, Boeing, Coca-Cola, and Procter & Gamble. Being global is the most essential characteristic for future success, according to the experts. Debra Benton of Benton Management Resources thinks there is more to a long life span than a global vision statement. She believes a company's longevity depends in part on the character and moral decisions of its CEO. She thinks CEOs need to be charismatic, daring, melodramatic, passionate, and inspiring while they honestly and perpetually do the right thing.