Often someone will ask me if Ive heard of a certain company, or if I know how long theyve been around. But the most interesting question that I am sometimes asked is, how long do you think they will be around?
That last one is not only an interesting question, but its one that really no one can possibly have an answer to.
Just in the weeks prior to this article being written two of the Worlds largest corporations, General Motors Corporation, and Ford Motor Company, had their credit ratings downgraded to junk bond status by the industrys credit and investment rating services such as Standard & Poors and Fitch Ratings. And of course many people will remember Chrysler Corporations brush with near bankruptcy in the 1980s.
It is only coincidence that two of the largest automakers were in the news when I wrote this article, but certainly many corporate giants in numerous industries have faced tough times, including Kmart, Sears, and most of the major airlines.
Excel Communications became one of the most successful companies in the home business industry, and in American business history, only to later end in bankruptcy due to corporate greed and...