2008 - Top 50 innovative companies

I think this should be the most watched in times of recession,corporate instabilities and sinking businesses. Business Week is out with the list of 2008 top 50 innovative companies, it determined along with Boston Consulting Group. The description by BW for the list says it all; “Smart ideas for tough times: The 50 companies that make up our annual ranking nurture cultures that value creative people in good times and bad”

The list in itself is not surprising, but few rankings are.There are new names as well, like India’s TATA Group, Reliance Industries and gaming company, Nintendo. The list spans across the industries from Finance, Banking, Telecommunications, Oil companies, Retailers to Car manufacturers.

Apple keeps the topmost position with its iPhone becoming No 3 in smartphone category. Its nearest rival in the segment, Nokia is at number 10, powered by its convergence themed handsets. Google is number 2 in the list, and though not many would think Microsoft as an innovative company, it is very close to Google at No 5.

The first new entrant on the list is India’s TATA group. It has been hogging the global media after its buyout of Corus and most recent acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover. But what made it entry, and gave it No 6, was the 2500 dollars, world’s cheapest car 'Nano'. The second new entrant is Nintendo, powered by gaming that also improves your fitness. Reliance Industries, one more new entrant is at number 19, which has been diversifying in grocery retailing from its traditional petrochemicals.

The hottest social networking site, Facebook, finds itself on number 25 and McDonald's on number 30. It was surprising to see Intel at No 48 and the No 50 lies with American Express.

The recessionary times will separate the grain from chaff, and it is only comforting to see innovative companies across the industry verticals.