Brief
The World Economic Forum piloted a new poll last month with Food & Beverage, Consumer Goods and Retail Governors to find out what was on their minds. By January 12, 2005, 19 Governors had responded, and their top five interests included the falling dollar, doing business in China and India, industry consolidation, marketing effectiveness and innovation. Perfectly navigating such unknowns may be a stretch, but collectively we hope to begin to chart shoals and passages. The World Economic Forum will use these responses to orient the general discussion and suggest initiatives. As the discussion touches on each key issue or concern the goal is to move beyond how each topic affects individual companies and instead ask, "What collective action can Governors take to address these issues, working either through industry bodies or in cooperation with public-sector organisations, including the World Economic Forum?"