Review

I know. I know. I pretty much say it every month here... where does the time go? Yet when you last checked your calendar did you even consider Thanksgiving? Closing out the year often leads to some reviewing. Where have I been? Where am I going? What are my new goals? A personal performance report if you will.

 

On the business side, we review the performance of the Top 100 consumer goods companies in our annual Consumer Goods Registry (Page 14). Based on revenue information taken from annual reports, we present you with financial figures and brand information. We also provide snapshots of select companies, which contain news from 2007 and touch upon some of the technology initiatives underway.

 

In September, we held our second annual Consumer Goods Growth & Innovation Forum. To review the event, see page 28. It was a great success; the feedback we received was tremendous. The agenda was full of outstanding speakers, who shared highly insightful presentations covering the many facets of innovation. One speaker in particular, however, took us outside of ourselves and brought with him a way and a story that is uncharacteristic of most industry events. Keynoting the last day of the event, Gus Whalen of the Warren Featherbone Company actually made people stop looking at their Blackberries. What is the Warren Featherbone Company you ask? I am not going to tell you, and believe me when you look it up, you won't even get half the story because you did not hear it from Gus. I will tell you that it is a story of unusual innovation, persistence and generosity -- told with an abundance of humble humor and gentle persuasion. If you are ever able to see him speak -- don't miss it.

 

Finally, this time of year also inspires a review of how we give. We are often so busy throughout the year that we forget how rewarding it is. I'll be happily spending this holiday in New York with family, extended family and friends. We here at CGT hope you are surrounded by the people you value the most in a place you love. Don't forget to give. Happy Thanksgiving!