“Over the last 200 years, what companies do you think had the most impact on
our world, and on the way business is done today?” That is the opening
sentence on the dust cover of “50 Companies That Changed the World,” a new book
by Howard Rothman, published by The Career Press. Among those 50 is RE/MAX,
the global real estate franchisor co-founded by Dave and Gail Liniger.
Rothman’s introduction explains, “In the following pages, you will read
about 50 outstanding companies that have dramatically and permanently altered
us. In the process, you will also see how the general structure of
business—and, along with it, our society—has evolved over the past few
centuries. You will meet some individuals with extraordinary vision, courage,
and commitment who struggled to realize their ideas and drive their companies
to success. In a very real sense, they are the true forces that have changed
our world.”
RE/MAX appears as Number 45 on the elite list of well-known companies. The
top ten include: Microsoft, AT&T, Ford, Apple, McDonald’s, America Online,
FedEx, CBS, Philip Morris and Wal-Mart. Names like General Motors, Nike, Sony,
The Walt Disney Company, Coca-Cola, Toyota, Proctor and Gamble and others also
appear on the list.
Rothman devotes a chapter to each of the 50 companies, providing intriguing
background details on founders, the early years of each company’s growth,
sometimes struggles and the reasons he believes that particular company is
among those which have had or are having an impact on society. A combination
of business management lessons and history, the book reveals stories of genius,
creativity and even foolhardiness.
“It is an honor and a complete surprise to be included in this list,” said
Dave Liniger, RE/MAX chairman. “In our younger years, a lot of us set out to
change the world and along the way just became absorbed in the business. It’s
a revelation to discover that someone was keeping score out there, and that the
thousands of entrepreneurial sales associates, franchisees and regional owners
in the RE/MAX network truly have made the world a better place. I hope so.”
With a varied background as newspaper reporter, magazine editor, newsletter
publisher, Internet content provider, small business owner and book author,
Rothman specializes in writing about the impact of technology and progressive
management practices and speaks at seminars on these topics across the nation.
Published: November 16, 2001
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