2.2

CATALOGING THE WORLD'S GREATEST INNOVATORS

If you were compiling a list of the world's most innovative companies, which businesses would top your list? No one would be surprised if you picked Google, Apple, or Amazon, but what about Wal–Mart? (What? Did they find a new way of crushing little retailers?) Or PG&E? (A utility? Are you kidding me?) Or how about the Chinese data equipment maker Huawei? (No way!) While these companies might not have made it onto your top ten list, all of them were featured in a recent Fast Company ranking¹ of innovation all–stars.

The list toppers:

1. Facebook
2. Amazon
3. Apple
4. Google
5. Huawei
6. First Solar
7. PG&E
8. Novartis
9. Wal–Mart
10. Hewlett–Packard

As you might expect, BusinessWeek has its own list² of innovation standouts:

1. Apple