Most multinational companies have been adjusting, without fanfare, to the new global economic reality for some time. This year, CEOs have made clear that they are not backing away from global growth programmes but in fact are deepening their commitments to their most important markets. Among the CEOs we interviewed, whether based in Italy, Malaysia, the US or South Africa, the goal of delivering results by growing whole operations – not just sales – outside of their home base is the same. These are ambitious agendas, which is somewhat surprising given economic uncertainties. How are CEOs going to make it.