Most Admired Companies.

[SanFranciscan]

It is pretty much a given that this board is full of Disney fans. What other companies do you admire and why?

I like the Build A Bear company. I come into regular contact with their workers because they have a shop inside the ballpark I work in. The people working there are always so nice. The founder of Build A Bear is a Disney fan as well and mentions Walt Disney a number of times in her book.

I know that it is fashionable to hate Starbucks, and I hate expresso. I still like Starbucks. I never understood why bars had parking lots if people weren't supposed to drink and drive. The Starbucks chain did a lot to show people that no alcohol was required to be a social drinker, and this has carried over to the benefit of neighborhood coffee houses that aren't part of a chain.

 

[Barbossa]

A few companies that I admire because they offer a quality product and good customer service:

Southwest Airlines
Discover (credit card company)
Honda
Verizon
Amazon.com
Costco

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Honda is an excellent company and I do enjoy working with them.

Since I live in the Northeast I really haven't used SouthWest Airlines but I have heard many good things about them.

It's nice to hear something good about the airlines instead of all the negative things.

 

[cguill]

I saw a special on Google on 60 minutes --- looked like an exceptional work environment ...

Also looks like Bill Gates would be good to work for, seems to take care of his people ...

 

[TheGoofster]

I also like Build-A-Bear. I think they do a great job of making a product that kids love, but without applying the pressure that so many other toy companies seem to resort to. You can walk into any build-a-bear store, and browse without being attacked. They also have a lot of fun interactive games and stuff for the kids in their stores.

Another company that impresses me is Nintendo. I think they have done an incredible job of changing the whole mindset of who is a video gamer, and the kind of games that people want to play (I mean who else can make your kid work out for over an hour, and absolutely love it?). Plus they do it at a much cheaper price than the competition.

And, to combine the two I've mentioned, the Wii is coming out with a build-a-bear game in the next month or two (or at least before Christmas). This will be a must buy for us.

 

[kydisneyfans]

We have consistently good service at Macy's, regardless of where we are in the country.

Saturn has always worked with us to accomodate our vehicle needs.

 

[Barbossa]

Honda is an excellent company and I do enjoy working with them.

Since I live in the Northeast I really haven't used SouthWest Airlines but I have heard many good things about them.

It's nice to hear something good about the airlines instead of all the negative things.

I used to fly Southwest 3-4 times a month on business. Booking with them was always a breeze, they have a consistent fare structure, their on-time performance is excellent, and their customer service reps are always friendly and helpful. The only thing about them I've never liked are their flight crews, who I think are a bit unprofessional with their antics. Minor nit, though.

 

[Carl]

Amazon first comes to mind.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

American Express (always great, at least for me)
Amazon
Lands End & LL Bean --great customer service
I agree with Nintendo...nothing but good luck with the Wii, nintendo DS, gameboys.
Apple

 

[CraftyMouse]

Disney
Southwest
Jet Blue
Nintendo
LL Bean

 

[bumbershoot]

Also looks like Bill Gates would be good to work for, seems to take care of his people ...

I think that as long as people know that they are contract workers and their contract can be up at any time (so they don't start depending on that money for their future lifestyle), M'soft can be good to work for. And if you're a full employee, that's even better.



Amazon is great!!! Well, sometimes working for them can be challenging: I had to quit b/c my boss was making me crazy, I mean seriously I had to take FMLA to see if it was him causing my problems or if I was just losing it in general. And they wouldn't let me out of his team b/c so many people had left, and they required his "permission" to let me apply for other positions, but that was in '02 and I think they've changed so far.

But hubby's current job (though he was laid off with the rest of Seattle customer service, en masse, in '01, he was ecstatic to get back to them last year!) is great, the policies are good. He gets a transit pass so he can take the Tacoma bus (or free link lightrail) to the bus/train station, takes the commuter train or a bus all the way nearly to his office's front door in Seattle, and it's all part of his compensation. Ample vacation time, his bosses have told him to go home when he has gotten a cold, and so on.

And they are good to customers!


I too don't bash Starbucks as a company/corporation. They are good to their employees. I do, however, bash their nasty burned coffee.

 

[Shel]

I respect the owner & business of Chik Filet. They say they are Christians & follow that up by being closed on Sundays. This enables employees to attend a worship service if they desire, and it gives them the day of rest.

Plus their chicken sandwiches are just darn good!

 

[agnes!]

Google - I have a relative who works for Google and *loooooooves* it.

Apple - We just bought an iMac and I love it. Previously we were a completely Windows family, but WOW. The prodcut itself, the Apple Store & their customer service?... The best.

I've heard good things about Chik-Fil-A as well.

agnes!

 

[amyhughes]

Apple - We just bought an iMac and I love it. Previously we were a completely Windows family, but WOW. The prodcut itself, the Apple Store & their customer service?... The best.



agnes!

That's the way we are about Mac as well. Granted I hear Steve Jobs can be either a GREAT boss or someone that you don't want to end up in the elevator with, but the products are consistently well made. This recent iPhone conundrum they are on and fixing consistently, I keep getting updates directly sent to my iPhone. We turned towards Mac last year and haven't looked back wistfully at Windows driven software since. Great products and worth the money you put into them.

 

[Hedy]

LL Bean
Apple (crosses fingers that her good luck goes on when DSIL takes ElderNephew's iPod in under warranty).

 

[Ppufi]

Build A Bear Workshop. I love that store; the employees are terrific, the product is wonderful, and they even take expired coupons!

 

[Chicago526]

Costco - I hear they pay their employees well and offer benifits, plus their stores are always clean, organized, and their employees polite and helpful.

Starbucks - again decent pay and benifits for employees, great atmosphere and tasty coffee!

Target - when I worked for them in the mid-90's they offered decent pay and benifits, although I hear the benifits went away for part-timers, don't know if that's true or not. But the stores are always neat as a pin, good employees and great prices on a lot of things I need. My one quibble with them is I never liked their clothing for women, what they have there usually isn't my style.

Eddie Bauer - not sure about their pay and benifits for employees but their quality is awesome! I try to shop their on clearance because they are a bit pricey but for a clasic item that will be in style for years AND will last, I'm willing to pay more. I've still got some skirts that I bought there five or more years ago that I still wear to work, and even though they've had some heavy usuage, they still look great and have held up. More than worth average $40 I paid for each.

 

[ead79]

Chick-fil-A
Lands End
Amazon
Honda

 

[Robinrs]

Definitely ChickFilA...LOVE Them.

Publix -- My favorite Supermarket!

Time Warner.. this is my second time working for them and they are awesome!

 

[bumbershoot]

Publix -- My favorite Supermarket!

Might want to make sure they are following through on the results of the big lawsuit against them in the 90s. When my mom worked there while awaiting a gov't job, they were NOT the nicest to female employees (what the lawsuit was about)!!!



Thought of another company that seems fun to work for (though you'd be working your behind off): Pixar. Unless Brad Bird is directing what you're working on. I don't think I'd enjoy working for him, from what they show in the behind the scenes stuff on Pixar bonus CDs.