Google, Apple most admired in Silicon Valley
Written on December 24, 2009
Among most-admired companies in Silicon Valley today, there is Apple Inc., Google Inc. and everyone else.
That’s what results show from the most recently completed weekly online survey done by the Silicon Valley-San Jose Business Journal. The unscientific poll was conducted between Dec. 15 and Dec. 22.
Apple was picked by 35 percent of the respondents and Google was picked by 22 percent.
Cisco Systems Inc. was the only other company to get a double-digit share of the votes, at 11 percent.
The field was rounded out by Hewlett-Packard Inc. (8 percent), Intel Corp. (5 percent) and Oracle Corp. (4 percent).
Reader John Adelus backed Netflix Inc., which wasn’t listed as one of the poll choices. “To me they represent innovation in both technology and company philosophy. They are certainly pioneers in the mass distribution of old and new media — both DVD and ‘over the top’ living-room-quality streaming of video on demand. However, they are also pioneers in how they manage their work force — that is as adults. E.g. take as much vacation as you like as long as you get your work done — absolutely brilliant.”
Kathy Chouteau was surprised by Oracle’s low showing in the poll. “They do a tremendous amount of charitable giving in the Bay Area, from sponsoring fundraisers, to lending their employees as volunteers, to reserving prime seats at Oracle Arena for nonprofits/people in need…the list goes on and on. I’ve witnessed firsthand that in their altruistic endeavors, Oracle focuses on the nonprofits they empower and not on getting a pat on the back for it.”
Patricia Johnson thinks successful tech companies should do more to help startups. “The tech companies all pretty much follow the same doctrine, helping them to compete against one another. What would be nice would be if these corporations provided more support to small businesses by joining a Chamber of Commerce or provide grants to other small businesses locally.”
Filed in: management.