But rapid change is unlikely.

ECONOMIST: Gambling in Europe

But in a world of rapid change in the marketplace, of an increasing proportion of knowledge work, of increasing technical complexity of the work, and where customers who do not even know themselves what will delight them, stable predictable work environments are largely a thing of the past.

FORBES: Measuring What Matters: From Outputs to Outcomes: Part 3

Like my COO friend, as I point to companies who have not only survived, but also thrived in periods of rapid change, the one common denominator is seldom a grand strategic vision.

FORBES: Is Your Terrible Culture Killing Your Business?

Moreover, a paradox has emerged in our networked world where knowledge is ubiquitous and change is rapid, but the absence of a common vision and agenda ensures that the status quo will be maintained with respect to major global challenges.

FORBES: World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008

That was not only a lesson in monumental hubris, but also a testament to the destructive power of rapid change in high-tech.

FORBES: DEC's Final Demise

That, they argue, would make Europeans in general more prosperous, but political infighting and competing national priorities have frustrated hopes of rapid change.

BBC: EU struggles with reform task

"We live in an era of rapid change where pressures and challenges co-exist, but we must not forget our purpose and keep in mind the premise of 'Customer First', " Mr Lu said in a statement.

BBC: Alibaba appoints Jonathan Lu Zhaoxi as chief executive

But Lord Hall will also look to the BBC's future amid rapid technological change and growing competition.

BBC: director general Tony Hall 'confident' about future

But he is already finding that South Korea's political culture is strongly resistant to rapid change.

ECONOMIST: South Korea

But - and here's a familiar argument for Americans - many Western nations worry about national security and rapid cultural change.

NPR: U.N. Puts Spotlight on Global Immigration