As office buildings from Singapore to Shanghai to Sao Paulo to London become sleekworthy billboards of Design progress, leaders understand that better Design not only helps make life better, but it is an influence that attracts commerce, attracts talent, and attracts value.

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Throw in the low inflation of the past 20 years, a deregulated airline industry that's made travel much cheaper, plus technological progress that's provided the middle class with not only better cars and televisions, but every gadget from DVD players to iPods, all at lower and lower prices, and it's obvious that Mr. and Mrs.

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