The Fortune 500 list is an annual list of the largest revenue generating companies in America. A quick glance at this year’s top ten, and names such as Wal-Mart, Exxon Mobil, General Motors and Chevron are amongst them. Exxon Mobil took out the profit honours in this year’s awards with $39.5 billion. Criteria for the Fortune 500 is limited to high revenue growth, high profit growth, high return to investors and employee numbers. I look down at my fingers typing and think of a few criteria I would like to see spelt out… With whisperings of further economic ramifications from the US sub-prime mortgage crisis, the revelation of a new federal government in Australia, peace talks between America, Israel and Palestine and dinner at my parents place tonight, I wonder what future we’re in for. Will economic growth plateau? Will people choose to say “No” more often? Would car companies decided to only release a new model every five years? Will renewable energy become the new ‘black gold‘? One thing is for certain. The world’s biggest companies have a responsibility to lead the change. Hopefully the Fortune 500 will follow suit.
