Admired Companies

Last update: 20200214      Created: As early as 20071030 (according to this internet archived version)

The following are some of my favourite companies and Lovemarks.

• Berkshire Hathaway (for Warren’s investment wisdom, insight, generosity, and biography)
• Saatchi & Saatchi (for Kevin‘s insight in the world of “advertising” and “ideas“)
• IDEO (one of the world most creative and innovative design firm)
• Bruce Mau Design (for Bruce‘s manifesto, his design insights, and as a proud owner/fan of Bruce’s light blue covered design reference book Life Style) [20110609 Update: Fixed the manifesto link *again*, but BMD just keep changing and breaking the link.]
• Virgin Group (for Richard’s entrepreneurial creativeness and generosity)
• Dyson (for James‘ inventiveness, business insight, and the best vacuum cleaner in the world)
• Four Seasons Hotels (one of the best managed hotel chains)

Removed from the “Admired Companies” list,

• Apple Computer (removed from list on July 19, 2010: for more see “Apple iPhone 4 PR message – How Steve Jobs turned a finger spot into a death grip“)
• Lexus (for its “Pursuit of Excellence”) – (more negative news added on: 20191209, removed from list on April 14, 2010): 20200214, 20191209 Negative news: 20200213 CBC News “Toyota’s paint-peeling problem to be covered under ‘unprecedented’ extended warranty for certain models“, 20191203 CBC News, “Toyota, Lexus owners warned about thefts that use ‘relay attacks’“, Driving.ca 20191204 “Thieves stealing Toyota, Lexus vehicles using key fob ‘relay’, police warn – Hundred-plus cars across Canada likely swiped via new digital hack” | Older sample news – “CBC News – Toyota halts sales of Lexus SUV – Rollover hazard attributed to deficient stability control” and “BBC – Toyota suspends sales of Lexus GX 460 worldwide“) (previously – negative outlook, possible next action: elimination from list) (Sample news references: CNN: “Toyota: Saved $100 million dodging recall”, BBC: “Toyota admits it took ‘too long’ on safety recalls”) [Feb 24, 2011 Update: “Toyota recalls 2.1 million more [Lexus and Toyota] vehicles to fix gas-pedals jam issues“]
• HSBC (The World’s Local Bank) (Sept 2014: removed due to its various scandals over the last few years and its mismanagement of its US businesses) (Feb 2015: “HSBC issues public apology amid tax avoidance allegations – HSBC has ‘no appetite’ to help clients avoid taxes, Chief Executive Stuart Gulliver says“)