Most Innovative Companies in the World March 23, 2008
Posted by Steve in : Methods & Strategies, Entrepreneuring , add a commentThe March 2008 issue of Fast Company magazine profiles their view of most innovative companies in the world. It’s an eye-opening and interesting read, in particular that the companies named hail from all industries: automobile, high technology, airlines, retail, attire. I have listed the top 10 below, and I like the selection of Google and Nike, but don’t get P&G and WalMart and especially CurrentTV, which doesn’t really have a business plan or an audience. What do you think of this list?
#1 GOOGLE
Google is different, even on a list of distinctive companies. Here, more than a dozen describe what life is like at a place where no goal is too audacious, agility means more than power, and even cafeteria food represents an opportunity to change the world.
#2 APPLE
Careful readers of this magazine may be scratching their heads right now, in light of our recent cover story laying out the many challenges facing Apple. But the company has had, indisputably, one hell of a run. In the past year alone, three major new products — iPhone, iPod Touch, and Leopard OS — fueled triple-digit revenue growth. So while analysts forecast a more earthbound Apple in 2008, it deserves praise. And extra points for style.
#3 FACEBOOK
In 2007, the social-networking juggernaut had variously impressed with its ability to reinvent the wheel (opening its platform to outside developers) and drawn cyberpickets with its boneheaded missteps (trying to sell advertising by telegraphing its users’ every move). But after a year lived dangerously, Facebook is officially A-list, with a $15 billion valuation to boot, thanks to Microsoft’s $240 million investment. That’s nothing to throw (more…)
Ouch! Chicago Just Got More Expensive March 3, 2008
Posted by Steve in : Weblog , add a commentAs one of the top global cities in the world, Chicago has been viewed by many as a livable New York, and a less expensive one at that. However, our elected Democratic officials continue to spend, spend, spend on the backs of hard working Chicagoans, with no regard for the cost to its citizens.
Early Saturday, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger struck a deal with board members, who approved a 1 percent increase in the sales tax - driving Chicago’s overall sales tax to double digits at 10.25 percent, easily among the highest of any big city. And it will be enacted just in time for the Christmas shopping season. Business leaders and others predicted immediate negative ramifications. “Chicago now has the unfortunate notoriety of having the highest sales tax in the country, and our region will now be a more expensive place to visit, live, work and operate a business,” said Jerry Roper, head of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. “The people of our region should be outraged.”.
Do Todd Stroger and the other Cook County officials not think that people will take ride out to Lake County to Costco, Target, Wal-Mart and other stores for their much lower 7% sales tax?
VHS: Say It Ain’t So November 30, 2006
Posted by Steve in : Movies, Technology , add a comment
VHS, long the format of choice for home entertainment, is now all but forgotten, and most retailers are not stocking VHS tapes in the lucrative Christmas selling season. The format had been expected to survive until January, but high-def formats and next-generation videogame consoles hastened its final decline. I spent much of my hard-earned money in the late 80’s and 90’s renting VHS tapes — so I shed a tear at this news. The more interesting point in this news is the velocity fo technological change. While the VHS format lasted for 25 years — it is unclear how long the DVD will last….Wal-Mart, who accounts for a staggering 40% of all DVD’s sold in America, is betting on movie downloads over the internet and is investing heavily to ensure it is a major player. Who thinks we will be playing taps for DVD’s in the next 5 years? (more…)
