50 companies that changed the world

Over the past 200 years, many companies had the most impact on our world, and on the way, the business is done today. The same thing Howard Rothman takes up in this fascinating, easy reading jaunt through business history. I finished reading in this book and I found it a historical book with histories of all companies that changed or made impact in this world. This book contains a list of 50 Companies that had the most profound impact on the world around them.

The author ranked the firms according to their influence and contributions. International in scope, the selections range from obvious choices like Microsoft, AT&T, Toyota, and McDonald’s, to more provocative selections like CNN, the Walt Disney Company, and Ben & Jerry’s homemade. For each company the author presents a lively, historical sketch and discusses its strengths and weaknesses in the context of each company’s individual operations. It also tells about their size, capitalization, and information about their current leadership. It is both an entertaining read and a handy reference work. It is fun to read this book because it takes me to history of companies from all sectors.

If one is interested in, knowing the histories of famous, old companies that this is the perfect book to read. It mainly consists of companies that were established in 20^th century. One time I feel that these are not the companies that are affecting world today as Google and other big firms are missing out in this book. However, the collection of companies is relevant to history of the world. This book makes me learn how some of the greatest companies of all time achieved their success, stayed on the top of trend, and fell from pinnacle when they failed to follow the path that made them successful.

A management student, a businessperson, an employee should add this book into their library. In short, it is an historical book with consists of names of companies, leaders who drove them, obstacles they faced, their capitalization, number of employees, sales, changes they made to be on top, their acquisitions, and how they begin to produce. Read it once, it will add value to your knowledge. 

World in September

In the history of the world, September seems to be an important month. From developing nations to developed nations, most of the changes in the past and present occurred in the month of September. In 2014, many events took place in the emerging countries of the world. India, Europe, and USA all three countries saw major changes. Let us look in the past events and changes in this year.

It was September 2001, when Islamic Terrorist group attacked upon the United States in New York and Washington. Two towers of World Trade Centers were attacked and US Pentagon was attacked. Many people died in the attacks. Few years later, on September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. was filed under Bankruptcy. As the fourth largest investment bank of US, this crime led to 2007-08 financial crises in the world. Last year in 2013, India GDP fell down to a lower rate and currency exchange rate touched the highest point-making rupee weakest in history.

Year 2014 brought out many other changes in Indian History. After completing 100 days in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Japan for five days. Both the countries build Special Strategic Global Partnerships. Modi statement of “No red tape, but red carpet” was signs of investment from foreign countries. After that, Australian Prime Minister visits India for Nuclear deal. In mid of the month, Chinese President visit India for trade relations between both countries. MoU was signed for building Smart cities, SEZs, Chinese Development Bank, and manufacturing goods in India. Soon after some days, PM launches “Make in India” campaign to attract businesses from around the world to invest and manufacture in India.

In the end of the month, PM visit US to attend UN General Assembly council, to address Indians in USA, and to meet US President Barack Obama. Modi speech in Madison Square made him most searched person on Google and Tweets on Twitter. Both countries agreed to help each other in Defence and India to import technology from USA. These were some changes in India in September, which will drive India’s growth largely.  

On 24 September 2014, India became the first country in the world to reach the Mars orbit in its first attempt. The Mars Orbiter Mission was launched by ISRO. The total cost of the mission was approximately $70 Million and it is the cheapest inter-planetary mission ever to be undertaken since Martian exploration began. In corporate world, Alibaba IPO breaks the record of becoming the largest company in e-commerce sector by market share. Its value reaches $230 Billion after IPO in month of September.

After some peace talks between Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine, tensions start between UK and Scotland. Scottish Independence referendum on Scottish Independence in September was another important day in history. The decision of Scotland to remain in Great Britain not only saved UK but some other countries like Tibet, India, China, and Pakistan. If the results turned out to be opposite then there might be chances of voting in for Kashmir and Tibet.

In September 2014, ISIS members began attacks on journalists from different countries, forcing US and EU forces to launch air strikes. These strikes are still in process. The 2014 Hong Kong protests also known as Umbrella movement, began in the same month. The cause behind the protest is that Chinese Central government decision on electoral reform regarding future Hong Kong chief executive and Legislative Council elections. The protests are still going and there are no negotiations between the protestors and the government. In Business news, all light was on Apple new iPhone and watch. However, there may be more things going around or took place in between years in same month but these are some, which remains in light and make it a big month in the history of the world.