Best companies
June 24, 2008Time was when Toyota’s debut in the US market caused such a stir not just among financial analysts but human resources managers for its innovative practices that were seen as pioneering at that time. Eventually Japanese companies like Sony became the embodiment not just of market efficiency but sound industrial relations.
Recently, reports have it that search company Google currently now outranks software giant Microsoft as the most liked company in America. Bill Gates’ brainchild slipped to 10th from its number one ranking just last year. Whatever omen it forebodes, considering that the former Harvard dropout reportedly left Microsoft’s helm for his retirement just weeks ago, is not for us to contemplate though.
Consider the list and their ranking (based on reputation) last year:
1. Google 4
2. Johnson and Johnson 2
3. Intel 16
4. General Mills, Inc. 6
5. Karft Foods, Inc. not listed
6. Berkshire Hathaway 21
7. 3M Co. 3
8. Coca Cola 5
9. Honda 14
10. Microsoft 1
Interestingly, of these companies, only one is obviously Japanese (Honda). Surprisingly, even in Japan the top company–or what is regarded as the best place to work for employees–is not Japanese. According to the Nikkei Business magazine, on its January 19, 2007 issue, Microsoft is considered to be the best in terms of workplace improvement and organizational development. And while most of the companies on the list are obviously Japanese, the fact remains that even the traditionally cloistered and conservative Japanese workforce have come to regard Western management models differently in recent years (see list below, courtesy of http://www.greatplacetowork.com/best/list-jp.htm).
| 1 | Microsoft |
| 2 | Sony Marketing |
| 3 | Morgan Stanley Japan Securities |
| 4 | RECRUIT AGENT |
| 5 | ASAHI BREWERIES |
| 6 | HORIBA |
| 7 | NIPPON YUSEN |
| 8 | KIKKOMAN |
| 9 | Hewlett-Packard Japan |
| 10 | ULVAC |
Paradigm shift or simply another case of Japanese models failing?
NO doubt Google has best workplace… and so people love to work here!
Posted by rate a company at June 24, 2008, 2:43 pm