Two factors that are seen as making global thinking a key variable for the future are the dramatic projected increases in global trade and integrated global technology. Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor in the USA, joked that he had difficulty trying to buy an "American" car because it was almost impossible to determine what percent of the car was actually made in America. In our research, participants from around the world saw the value of global trade. Several suggested that future leaders might need to spend time in multiple countries to better understand how multi-country trade could help their organizations achieve a competitive advantage. In an environment where competitive pressures are rapidly increasing, producers will have to learn how to manage global production, marketing and sales teams.