Microsoft, Google among US's most inspiring firms

Software giant Microsoft, Internet major Google and Apple have been named among 25 most inspiring companies in the United States in a list compiled by brand-consulting firm Inspiration Blvd.

Microsoft has topped the list and is followed by Google and Apple at the second and third places, respectively.

Bill Gates-founded software firm's position signals that consumers are drawn to authenticity and vision for making the world a better place.

About Microsoft, the report stated consumers found it "to be as inspiring as any non-profit in the world today because of the close association with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In fact people view the work of the Foundation as an authentic extension of the mission of Microsoft."

The list also features auto major Ford (4th), retail chain giant Wal-Mart (5th), fast-food chain McDonalds (6th), General Electric (7th), Johnson & Johnson (8th)and restaurant chain Chic-fil-A.

The firm surveyed 1,752 consumers online to identify America's top motivating companies and asked consumers to pinpoint influential indicators such as innovation, growth, reliability, charity and to freely describe companies they see as inspiring.

"Google inspires people by causing them to feel smarter and empowered to reach their potential," the report added.

For Apple, the report stated, "If inspiration and stock price are correlated, then it makes sense that this company, ranking No. 3, had one of the highest appreciating stock prices, rising 117 per cent to $235.97 in April from the same month last year."

Further, consumers view WalMart as a company that gives back to communities by hiring the people in them. Voters with household incomes above and below $50,000 ranked it in their top 10 picks, the report revealed.

Other companies on the list include Proctor & Gamble, Starbucks, Nike, Coke and Dell.

The overriding principal driving inspiration is not a company's product or profitably but it is how the company is perceived of using its products and profitability to improving the world's and its people, the report added.

Image: Eric Schmidt (left) CEO of Google and Bill Gates former CEO of Microsoft in Sun Valley, Idaho. Photograph: Rick Wilking/Reuters