The Global Top 20 Brands for 2012
stefanie is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
This is just a hunch but the rise of technology companies must be a juggernaut for Warren Buffett. For a value investor like him with a penchant for investing in what is familiar, technology is making unpredictable market jumps that even him might not be able to predict. According to the Interbrand Best 2012 Global Brand Report, half of the top 20 global brands are technology companies.
The top 20 Global Brands according to the Interbrand Report are:
1) Coca Cola (NYSE: KO)
2) Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)
3) IBM (NYSE: IBM)
4) Google (NASDAQ: GOOG)
5) Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT)
6) GE
7) McDonalds
8) Intel
9) Samsung
10) Toyota
11) Mercedes Benz
12) BMW
13) Disney
14) Cisco
15) HP
16) Gillette
17) Louis Vuitton
18) Oracle
19) Nokia
20) Amazon
The tech companies in the top 20 can make up a team line-up in American football. However, recent developments within the technology sector are unraveling. What Is perceived as cutting edge development now is not just market capitalization or brand equity but innovation. This will take technology to the next level of services and deliver more value experience for the users. Web services, cloud computing and social searches could possibly be the trend of the future. Microsoft and IBM will continue to dominate in the enterprise and business to business solutions sector.
Coca-Cola, McDonalds, and Microsoft have reached the milestone of selling their products to over a billion already. Surely a bottle of Coca-Cola is not expensive and yet it is at the top of the list. Their formula for making the sweet cola is one of the best kept secrets. McDonalds, the hamburger chain company is said to be a good real estate investor. They own a lot of valuable real estate where they sell burgers and fries. Who wouldn’t have a Windows operating system from Microsoft? Not unless you are using an Apple computer. However, Apple is known for its great user interface that others are copying. Microsoft is the number one business to business company, beating rival IBM.
The companies might be battling for recognition at the top spot but like in football, the scrimmage is worth it. When you land the goal, there is euphoria in the company headquarters. The company headquarters of the top 20 global brands are predominantly in the US. What got them to the top is their ability to reach other markets to sell their product and services effectively.
The top 20 global brands are well run companies which employ the best and most qualified employees. They have maintained the same standards of excellence and superior customer service. They have earned the respect of many for the many facets of their entrepreneurial endeavor .It’ s also about humanity, taking care of their employees and being involved with community work and the environment. They are also the biggest tax payers of their countries and contribute to the growing economy.
The top 20 global brands might have a reshuffling next year. Expect more tech companies to barge in the line-up. There will be a series of tackles within the technology sector in the play to emerge on top. Business is a game and the best have the home runs. I will drink Coca Cola to that. Cheers!
