I like these quotes and observations from Fortune Magazine’s article on America’s Most Admired Companies: (March 17, 2008) My question in reading these snipets about each company is what can the church learn from corporate America, especially successful corporate America? You make your own conclusions, but to me some of the applications are very obvious.
Berkshire Hathaway
Said of Warren Buffet’s success: His key to turning today’s problems into tomorrow’s profits: “An absence of any regard for short-term results”
Google’s philosophy: Google believes “what’s good for the web has always proven to be very good for Google.”
(That sounds like a Kingdom principle many churches should learn.)
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson responded to the uncertainty in the health-care markets by “narrowing their focus”.
Goldman Sachs
The company posted record profits in 2007, in a year when Wall Street was struggling to hold their own. Reason: “Its results are a testament to its culture, and impossible-to-replicate mix of extreme aggression, deep paranoia, individual ambition, and robot-like teamwork.”
Target
In a year when retail sales were in a slump, including at this retailer, they continued their tradition of giving away $3 million a week back to the community.
UPS
The company may be 100 years old (I had no idea), but they act much younger. They are known for their “ability to combine cutting-edge technology with its own brand of ‘human engineering’ to great effect.”
3M
Known for being a mega-sized company ($24 billion a year), but still managing to generate new ideas each year. William McKnight, Chairman, says, “Management that is destructively critical when mistakes are made kills initiative. And it’s essential that we have many people with initiative if we are to continue to grow.” The moral, according to Fortune, “Don’t tell employees how to do their jobs — let them innovate. “
I don’t know about you, but there are lessons here for me. Thanks Fortune for a great article.
Which comment jumps out at you most from this list?
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