Since 1969, the graduate school of business at the University of Michigan has been collecting data on newly promoted executives (chief executive officers, presidents, and vice presidents in business and industry). In 1980, the questionnaire was revised to include more questions concerning their academic preparation for a business career. Responses to the questionnaire indicated that the overwhelming majority of executives considered preparation in business communication skills as very important. These same executives most often held a degree in business, followed closely by a degree in engineering. One in five had worked abroad. The typical executive was male, had a median age of 47 and was married. Salaries for all levels of executives exceeded $100,000. Contrary to the demoralizing statements of some, 30.9% of the executives spent over 8 hours weekly in family related activities. Favorite participant sports were tennis and golf. Periodicals most freqently subscribed to or read included the "Wall Street Journal,""Business Week,""Forbes," the "New York Times," the "Harvard Business Review," and "Fortune." Consequently, the academic preparation for careers in general management should (1) emphasize the international aspect of business communication, (2) stress the oral transmission of ideas, (3) underscore the problems and place of business in society, and (4) focus on the technological changes occurring as they affect business communication. (HOD)