SNAP-ON is leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users. They are a great example of an innovation superstar. To their valued customer the, professional mechanic their products are literally their lifeblood. They have developed an amazing Innovation Center that continually cranks out hits. In a highly competitive market with a very demanding customer SNAP-ON is leading the way. Another example of great management, happy employees and customers that would never consider using a competitive product. Now that's innovation stardom.

The HP Garage initiative demonstrates that even large companies can continue to create world-class innovations. This is a great company that cares deeply about its customers and employees alike. I believe The HP Garage will serve as a model for hundreds of larger corporations. HP is an amazing company with great people promoting entrepreneurship and customer connectivity.

Sierra Nevada doesn’t just have customers, it has disciples. If you’re lucky enough to work at Sierra Nevada, you can drop your kids off at the company provided day care. If you’re not feeling good, you can walk across the street to the company medical clinic. But that’s not all—you receive a case of beer with every paycheck and access to the company massage therapist as needed. Great companies treat their employees great. The bottom line—the best management, the best people, and the best damn beer in the world.

There is a lot of talk about co-creation in the area of innovation management. Adobe practices it on a daily basis. They have without a doubt created some of the best technologies, many of which have become iconic. This is no accident, yet they continue to foster a entrepreneurial and highly customer connected environment. They have developed innovation management systems that serve speed, quality, and ultimately their highly valued customer.

Most of you have heard of the “Nielsen ratings” used to measure the popularity of television programs and other media. These ratings are only a small part of today’s Nielsen Company’s world-leading offering of marketing and media information and measurement. In short, I was amazed with Nielsen’s approach to all three elements of Innovation Superstardom – Customer, Process and Culture. They’re a great example of balance and effectiveness – and also what can happen when you have a dynamic, respected and empowered leader in charge like Anne Marie Dumais Senior VP of New Product Development Introductions (NPI) and Innovation.
 

When it comes to world-class, high-touch, individualized customer service, Fisher Investments walks the walk. Fisher Investments manages money for high net worth clients and major institutions in the US and globally. The firm aims to deliver the best possible service-which includes a dedicated service team whose primary role is to serve current clients rather than sell to new clients, which seems almost unheard of in financial services. Fisher Investments also believes in access and transparency, so they send their senior managers and investment decision makers out to meet with clients firsthand at educational seminars and roundtables across the country.  They believe a well-served client is a client who stays on board. And it must be working, as Fisher Investments is one of the larger independent money management firms in the world. The firm has consistently retained over 9 out of 10 private clients annually for the past 13 years (1997-2009), and just keeps growing.