Welcome to our American Perspectives Web site. This project grew out of our 10-year planning process. In late fall 2007, seeking to develop perspective on the decade ahead for our clients and for us, PricewaterhouseCoopers began our own reckoning into the future. We found our discussions with senior US executives, academics, public policy experts and PwC partners so valuable that we thought we'd share some of our thoughts with clients.

After a long history of US self-reliance, during which prosperity could typically be found within our own borders, today we're meeting and working with nations and people worldwide who are still new to us and who are building major economic power of their own. Against the backdrop of a declining dollar and unrest stemming from foreign wars and terrorism, Americans are weighing our changing place on the world stage. Turbulence in the financial services industry; the rising cost of energy, food and healthcare; and a weak housing market have only added to those concerns.

It's easy to understand how a sense of skepticism might arise. Yet, the long view shows realistic reasons for optimism. US businesses retain breadth and leadership; an expanding world economy means greater opportunity; our base is strong and resilient; and the products and services we innovate remain second to none. US businesses possess a fundamental strength and flexibility not simply to bear up under challenging conditions, but to lead in new ways and prosper.

In American Perspectives, we discuss trends that US businesses will need to address to navigate the changing world, focusing on four specific areas: the need to reorient US perspectives as the world economic balance realigns; the need to navigate big risks and opportunities in an interconnected world; the need to manage the changing way we live and work; and the need to leverage innovation with openness, discipline and creativity.

While globalization will present its own matrix of realignment and risk, seizing opportunity during times of change is something US businesses understand. Our traditions promise we will rise to the challenge of leading in new ways. Here's a picture of how it will be done.

Yours truly,


Dennis Nally
Senior partner