Future Perfect: Stanley M. Davis

In our aging postindustrial era, we're witnessing a technological explosion notes Davis, a Boston-based business consultant, and in this short but deeply provocative book he sets out ""to give new meaning to time, space and matter in shaping tomorrow's business and organization.'' Readers will consistently nod in recognition as Davis ticks off what he sees happening today in business management as it has grown from the time of Henry Ford and GM's Alfred Sloan to what he considers the ``hello from the future'' that the Federal Express Corporationtoday's leading example of the holistic management approach as opposed to the mechanicalis shouting to business leaders. His insights into our already emerging ``future perfect'' economy of process, information and a host of intangibles made possible by the microchip is eye-opening. Admiring readers will conclude that Davis matches his own description of a certain Pakistani financial wizard``Gandhi in banker's pinstripes.'' 40,000 first printing; major ad/promo; Fortune Book Club and Macmillan Book Club alternates. (October 22)