Staying abreast of company rankings news and trends is a great way to learn about new and exciting changes in the business marketplace. Today, there is company rankings data available for nearly every aspect of business operations from best places for working mothers to the most innovative companies.

Being listed as one of the top 500 companies by “Fortune” magazine or as one of the top 10 companies or top 100 companies by other notable publications is a great way to not only get your company noticed, but it’s also an efficient way to find other companies that offer services which may be useful to you. Consider regularly reviewing the following resources to help you stay informed on ever-changing company rankings news and trends:

1. Position your company to take advantage of new company rankings trends.

2. Read business magazines to see if your competitors are highlighted on company rankings lists.

3. Get the services your company needs by checking out the latest trends in company rankings data.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Do your research to benefit from company rankings trends

Company rankings are a reflection of what's most important to employers, employees, investors, owners and many other key players in the business marketplace. Try to position your company so that you can be one of the top companies ranked on lists the highlighted new trends in the business marketplace.

I recommend: Global 100 is a leading research firm that specializes in highlighting global ranking data based on marketplace news and trends, initiated by Corporate Knights. Business Facilities is also a useful online site on which to find company rankings news and trends.

Check out company rankings to monitor competitors

Keeping a close eye on your competitors is a great way to expand your own business. Check out company rankings to see where your competitors stand so that you can uniquely position your business and set goals to one day appear on similar company rankings lists.

I recommend: Check out NuWire Investor for a broad range of industry news and trends for company rank publications and other business news. Check out CNN Money for some of today’s most notable company rankings lists.

Find reliable services and products by researching company rankings lists

Researching company rankings is a resourceful way in which to locate suppliers, vendors and partners. For example, 'Entrepreneur' magazine provides company rankings information highlighting the top banks for small business owners. Taking advantage of these company ranking services can be extremely beneficial in helping you find affordable services and products from suppliers and vendors.

I recommend: For example, check out Business Software for a list of top companies offering client relationship management software. You may also find the listing of best banks for entrepreneurs provided by “Entrepreneur” magazine helpful, especially if you’re in the market for a new financial institution.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It's important to stay updated on company rankings news and trends to learn how to best position your company and introduce new services and products. For example, preserving the environment has grown to become a hot topic for businesses operating in every industry. If you have implemented successful eco-friendly practices, be sure to get noticed by distributing press releases and researching rankings and organizations with which you can partner.

Lists of company rankings are everywhere: magazine top 100 companies lists, association top 10 companies lists. Even ranked companies make company rankings. More than gimmicks, though, company ratings are serious business intelligence tools. A look at your favorite lists, many of which include company profiles, can tell you who’s who and what’s what in American business.

Of course, company ratings don’t just tell you explicitly about other businesses. Implicitly, they can tell you volumes about your own, too. In fact, if you want to learn to build a better business, lists of company rankings are a great place to start; after all, on any given list, the top 100 companies, top 10 companies -- top whatever companies, really -- have many, many lessons to teach. Among the things they have to offer:

1. Company rankings can be a source for out-of-the-box ideas and inspiration.
2. Company ratings illustrate both the best and worst ways to do business.
3. Company rankings are a resource on which to lean for market research.
4. Company ratings can function as business intelligence tools.
5. Company rankings can introduce you to new customers, vendors and partners

Action Steps
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Comb company rankings in search of yourself

There are several lists of company rankings that rate small businesses, in particular. Are you on them? Make it your goal to get ranked, whether it's in the top 10 companies, the top 100 companies or the top 5,000 companies in your space. If you need help achieving that goal, look at the top 10 companies on those lists and figure out what they did to earn their rankings; adjust your operations and best practices accordingly.

I recommend: Forbes’ 200 Best Small Companies in America and Fortune Small Business’ 100 Fastest Growing Companies are among the most popular lists of small business company rankings.

Use company rankings to choose potential partners, vendors

If you want to be the best, you've got to do business with the best. And because the cream always rises to the top, lists of company rankings are an ideal place to look for partners; they'll tell you who's growing, who's succeeding and who's loved most by their employees, customers and peers.

I recommend: The Inc. 500 -- which became the Inc. 5,000 in 2007 -- is a comprehensive and detailed list of the nation’s fastest growing private companies; its company rankings are the perfect place to hunt for profitable partnerships.

Review company rankings in order to generate new business leads

Successful businesses with high company ratings are ripe with opportunity. Not only do their rankings qualify them as superior providers, but also as preferred customers. It's a smart idea, therefore, to weed through lists of company rankings in search of new customers and hot leads.

I recommend: The Fortune 500 is king when it comes to company rankings; any business, large or small, would be lucky to count Fortune 500 companies among their customers. You can view the list at Hoovers.com, where you can also build a list of prospects.

Consider company rankings a market research tool

If you're starting a new business in a new industry, company rankings can give you solid indicators of how a given market is performing. If you're starting a tech business, for example, browse lists of company rankings for similar outfits; if five of the top 10 companies on a list of America's fastest growing companies are tech firms, you're in good shape.

I recommend: Company rankings that are focused on franchises are great for market research purposes, as franchises are designed to capitalize on large and growing markets. Look at Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, Fastest-Growing Franchises and Best of the Best Franchises lists for current insights.

Scour company rankings in search of competitive intelligence

Company ratings are excellent business intelligence tools, as they often include detailed company profiles and key company data that you can use to build and develop your competitive advantage.

I recommend: The Hoover’s Index includes free company rankings, updated monthly, that are based on online search activity; it’s an ideal place to look for companies that are creating buzz, independent of those that are creating wealth. And because Hoover’s is home to thousands of company profiles, the list is a good place to click through to Hoover’s business intelligence tools.

Mine company rankings for management advice

Many lists of company ratings rank firms according to employee satisfaction; browse them in order to borrow companies' best ideas for recruiting and retaining the very best talent.

I recommend: There are dozens of lists that rank companies based on human resources issues; the most popular company ratings come from Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list, which ranks the top 100 companies from employees’ point of view.

Research company rankings and become a better corporate citizen

Look to company ratings that are based on environmentalism, philanthropy and corporate responsibility in order to learn lessons that will earn your business a better reputation within your local community.

I recommend: CRO’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens and Fortune’s America’s Most Admired Companies are two popular lists of company rankings based on corporate responsibility in general; Inc.’s Green 50, meanwhile, is a list of rankings that’s based on environmental citizenship, in particular.

Use company rankings to identify emerging trends, technology

Lists of company rankings are often home to the next big thing. For advice about emerging business trends, then, look to the top 100 companies, and especially the top 10 companies, on lists that rank companies according to growth or innovation.

I recommend: BusinessWeek’s BusinessWeek 50 and Hot Growth 100 lists, as well as Wired Magazine’s The Wired 40, contain company ratings that are based on technology, trends and innovation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you're looking at company rankings, always consider the ranking institution's methodology. While most company ratings include some subjective criteria, those with more objective company rankings systems-based on quantitative data, not qualitative-are likely to be more reliable.
• •  Considered controversial by some, company rankings aren't intended to create a corporate caste system. Don't take them personally, therefore. Use company rankings to set goals for your business, not to evaluate its worth.
• •  Company rankings are most useful when they're analyzed over a period of years. In other words, don't just examine company ratings for this year; look at company ratings for the last five years. Examine companies' positions and consider how they've changed over time; look for progress, not plateaus.
• •  Company rankings aren't always reliable. Before you consider a list of company ratings valuable, therefore, look carefully at the institution that created it. University and magazine lists tend to be fairly legitimate, for instance, while lists generated by special interest groups are often more biased.
• •  Company rankings are often geographically based. And while global and national company rankings tend to be most competitive, regional, state and local company rankings are still considered both useful and reputable. Plus, they present more opportunities for small businesses.
• •  Because company rankings and company ratings often include company profiles, they can be a great place to scout for potential talent and partners. Browse company profiles, for instance, in search of influential executives within your industry; while you probably won't be able to lure them away from their present job, you can at least approach them in order to network and strategize.
• •  If your business is included in a list of company rankings, consider it a valuable publicity opportunity. Order reprints to include in press kits and send out a press release. Post an announcement on your website. Organize a celebration with friends and clients. Just make sure you spread the word.

Making the most of company rankings is a great way to validate your company’s expertise and the quality of your products and services. Being listed as one of the top 500 companies by Fortune magazine or as one of the top 10 companies, top 50 companies, or even the top 100 companies by other notable publications is also a great way to get your company noticed.

Using company rankings can help your company gain notoriety as a leading provider or a particular service or product. Today, there are company rankings for nearly every aspect of business operations. Company rankings are a reflection of what’s most important to employers, employees, investors, owners and many other key players in the business marketplace. Consider the following tips on making the most of company rankings.

1. Research various company rankings lists to find those that best reflect your company goals.

2. Be selective when choosing company rankings providers.

3. Find out more information about the company rankings selection process.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Do your company rankings research

From best place for working mothers to the most innovative company, there is a range of distinctions available for top companies. Before applying, think about your industry, your business, your employees and your company goals to determine which company rankings make most sense for you.

I recommend: Check out small business company rankings lists provided by Fortune magazine. You may also check out the Entrepreneur magazine Hot 500.

Choose company rankings wisely

It's true that you can never win a good company ranking if you don't apply. However, it's also true that there are simply some company ranking services with which it's best for your company to not be affiliated. Take your time in researching local, national and global ranking lists and participate in those rankings that will have the most positive influence on your ability to grow your business.

I recommend: Check out the Riley Guide for a list of company rankings providers, which includes business and employer rankings, to learn more about what they can do for your company. You may also check out a list of national company ranking opportunities by visiting the Creighton University website.

Highlight your company's strengths on company ranking applications

When applying for inclusion on company rankings lists, you only get one shot to put your best foot forward. Many publications will list their company rankings selection criteria. Be sure to read this information carefully. Be sure to take your time to collect all required data and review your submission closely to ensure it truly demonstrates your company's uniqueness and expertise.

I recommend: Check out Great Places to Work to learn how to become recognized by some of the nation’s top company rankings publications. You may also check out Working Mother magazine to learn more about its company rank qualification criteria.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Researching company rankings information is also a great way to locate suppliers, vendors and partners. For example, 'Entrepreneur' magazine provides a company rankings list highlighting the top banks for small business owners.

Learn company rankings key terms to establish different methods of valuation and communications. Determine where your own company stands and what areas you might want to work on.

Since investors look at company rankings to determine strategic partnerships, knowing company rankings key terms gives you an edge over competitors. It helps you participate in the business playing field with ease as you negotiate business deals with others interested in your company rankings.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Share price

To make a list like Forbes, company share prices must hold at a five-dollar minimum with a 10,000 average volume for at least three months. Share prices are the prices at which shareholders purchase stock. This price comes from a formula that divides market capitalization by the number of outstanding shares.

I recommend: Forbes.com explains criteria set for small companies who make its top rankings list. It highlights winners, along with their statistics and summarizes the removal of companies from the list as share prices fell.

Profit margins

To stand out in company rankings, a company must show strong enough profit margins to survive market volatility. Businesses determine their profit margin, also called a net margin, net profit ratio or net profit margin, by figuring their net profit as a percentage of revenue.

I recommend: The American Chemical Society offers an article detailing companies in the top rankings. It discusses the impact of profit margins on the rankings.

Market volatility

When determining company rankings, professionals look for a company's ability to survive market volatility. This means the business needs to have enough under it to ride unexpected highs and lows of the market without going under.

I recommend: Cable News Network (CNN), a Time Warner Company, offers a detailed look at what market volatility means in general and what it means for businesses.

Methodology

Some company rankings use subjective criteria and others use methodology, which includes concepts, comparative studies and individual method critiques, to place businesses in the ranking list.

I recommend: CRO Corp discusses its own use of methodology. It covers areas of methodology it uses to create its best-of lists for rankings.

Return on capital employed

Return on capital employed (ROCE) in companies that achieve high rankings are higher than the company borrowing rate. If it weren't, shareholder's earnings would go down.

I recommend: Investopedia ULC defines the term ROCE and offers links for those interested in delving deeper into the topic.

Sector

This term refers to subdivisions in the economy. Evaluators often sort company rankings according to sector.

I recommend: The McGraw-Hill Companies discusses how it determines company rankings. It covers the way it measures companies using sectors as a factor.