"Sir George is right to argue that we need to set a clear direction to encourage the long-termism we badly need in British business, " he said.

BBC: UK business too focused on short term, says Labour report

Since this short-termism is no longer possible, we must set long-range goals.

FORBES: Throw Out Your Plans for 2013. Business Is a Journey.

What is especially galling for Mr Brown, the arch long-game strategist, is that he is accused of short-termism and of discouraging thrift and self-sufficiency, virtues that Brownism usually extols.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

Short-termism has resulted directly or indirectly in corporate earnings games, the deferral of investments needed for long-term competitiveness and the transformation of investment and commercial banking from a capital-facilitating agency service business into a principal proprietary trading business.

FORBES: Magazine Article