Fast Company’s approach:
….to identifying the most innovative companies is dramatically different from PriceWtarehouseCoopers and Boston Consulting Group. Fast Company describe it as their annual guide to businesses that matter the most, companies whose products and services can radically remake an industry.
The “Top 10”:
1. Google
For being a $350B giant that lets loose to many innovation milestones to count
2. Bloomberg Philanthropies
For addressing the “Top 10” causes of death. By addressing tobacco control, they address 60% of deaths on the list. They distributed $$452 million in 2013.
3. Xiaomi
For reinventing the smartphone business model in the world’s largest mobile market. Xiaomi is only 3 years old and had net sales of $5.2B in 2013
4. Dropbox
For becoming the everything cloud. Last year they doubled their Users from 100 million to 200 million.
5. Netflix
For delivering great TV in a new context, using a an already proven model
6. Airbnb
For making the most of its host. In 2015, Airbnb will become the world’s largest hotel chain without owning a hotel. They had 10 million stays in 2013 and sales were up 3X to $250 million. They have 550,000 listings in 192 countries
7. Nike
For setting a sustainable example. Hannah Jones, VP of Sustainable Business and Innovation, led the Nike team that developed an App that helps companies measure the environmental impact of using different materials.
8. Zip Dial
For turning a consumer cheat into an asset (make a call, let it ring twice and hang up sends a message, “I am coming home.”) Zip Dial issues consumer brands (e.g., P&G, Walt Disney and IndiaInfoLine) a number. The caller hangs up before the call is answered and will receive information and coupons. 416 million calls were made in 2013
9. DonorsChoose.org
For setting sights on education reform using crowdfunding (purchases products and ships them to teachers). They’ve raised $225 million from 1.2 million donors and have helped more than 175,000 teachers.
10. Yelp
For sealing the deal with its users. Yelp has 117 million monthly users and provides reviews of 47 million local businesses.
Want to learn more? Want to see the full “Top 50” list?
Once you’ve taken a look, come back to our website and explore some more. There’s a lot of content that’s designed for Value Innovators.
Want to up your innovation game? Want to up your organization’s innovation game? Attending one of our Mastering Value Innovation Workshops is a great place to start. In 2016 we are going to change our approach. We will work with you to develop your own custom workshop that addresses your problems and you define the length and location. More information can be found in the Workshop Brochure.