Issue 6: Top 10 Most Innovative Companies

 

In the last Weekender, we looked at two Top 10 lists of the most innovative COUNTRIES. There were some differences between the World Economic Forum’s and INSEAD’S lists, but there were also many similarities.

In this Weekender, we’re taking a look at a few Top 10 lists for the other C word: COMPANIES. Because there are so many more companies around the world than there are countries, it seems all the more remarkable when a company shows up on more than one list. Check out the innovative “who’s who” according to Forbes, CNN Money and Fast Company. Can you guess which companies made all three?

Yep, Apple. And Amazon.

Forbes: “The World’s Most Innovative Companies”1. Salesforce.com 2. Amazon.com 3. Intuitive Surgical 4. Tencent Holdings 5. Apple 6. Hindustan Unilever 7. Google 8. Natura Cosmeticos 9. Bharat Heavy Electricals 10. Monsanto

CNN Money: “World’s Best in Innovation”1. Apple 2. Sistema 3. GDF Suez 4. Limited Brands 5. Qualcomm 6. Enterprise Product Partners 7. Koç Holding 8. Amazon 9. Sealed Air 10. Nike

Fast Company: “The World’s Most Innovative Companies” 1. Apple 2. Facebook 3. Google 4. Amazon 5. Square 6. Twitter 7. Occupy Movement 8. Tencent 9. Life Technologies 10. SolarCity

There’s a lot to learn from Steve Jobs (Apple’s founder), and what he has to say about innovation.

It’s fitting that we’re singling out Apple – a clear leader in innovation – as the company has just launched its newest innovation, the new Apple iPad. The Huffington Post write-up has us smiling. Apple’s done it again.

Check out some more of his “gems” on innovation below:

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.
Steve Jobs

Innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways or calling each other at 10:30 at night with a new idea, or because they realized something that shoots holes in how we’ve been thinking about a problem.
Steve Jobs

Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations.
Steve Jobs

You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.
Steve Jobs