Goodwill® Named One of America’s Most Inspiring Companies by Forbes

November 27, 2013, Goodwill Industries International

Forbes recently released its 2013 list of America’s 25 Most Inspiring Companies, which included Goodwill for the second time. Last year, Goodwill was ranked at #23; this year we are ranked at #19.

GII Photo for Forbes ListThe list was based on results from Performance Inspired, Inc., a consulting and training firm that helps organizations elevate performance through the science of inspiration. The company surveyed 4,738 consumers and asked respondents to rank which five companies they find most inspirational. It also asked them to describe their most recent encounter with each company. The goal of the survey was to find a correlation between successful companies and those brands or corporations that inspire their consumers.

According to Terry Barber, chief inspiration officer for Performance Inspired, the survey showed that consumers are not only feeling inspired by certain businesses, but are acting inspired by spending more with these companies while evangelizing to others about their inspiring experience.

As Barber said, “We now see there is a validated set of drivers to inspiration and when these drivers are activated, it elevates employee engagement that shows up in the customer experience. These consumers feel like they are a part of a company’s mission for making the world a better place. They don’t feel like they are just helping a company make money; they feel that they are a part of doing good when they support their most inspiring companies.”

An inspiring company was defined for respondents as:

1.Using its profits and influence to make the world a better place.

2.Being recognized by consumers as having an inspired and passionate workforce.

3.Demonstrating an ability to have big ideas and make those ideas become a reality.

4.Causing consumers to feel encouraged and empowered to achieve their personal goals.

“Thanks to the joint efforts of Goodwill agencies across the U.S. and Canada, consumers have come to understand that by shopping and donating at your local Goodwill store, you are investing in job opportunities and skills development training in your local community,” said Lauren Lawson-Zilai, director of public relations for Goodwill Industries International. “The Forbes recognition is a testament to the inspirational work that Goodwills across the enterprise do on a daily basis as we fulfill the Goodwill mission.”

The 2013 list of the top 25 most inspiring companies include:

1. Microsoft

2. Disney

3. Walmart

4. Chick-fil-A

5. Target

6. McDonald’s

7. Google

8. Amazon

9. Johnson & Johnson

10. Toms Shoes

11. The Coca-Cola Company

12. Apple

13. Starbucks

14. Costco

15. Ford

16. Whole Foods Market

17. Southwest Airlines

18. Wegmans Food Markets

19. Goodwill Industries®

20. Pepsi

21. Nike

22. American Express

23. Zappos

24. REI

25. Kohl’s

See Forbes Article

Online Shopping at Goodwill

Through the Shopgoodwill online auction site, you can experience a fun and exciting way to shop for specialty items such as one-of-a-kinds, collectibles, antiques, estate pieces, jewelry, nostalgic items, and more!

At Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies, we know that our donors value their donations to Goodwill and want us to get the maximum value possible to support our mission. Listing these items on Shopgoodwill allows us to generate more revenue because these items go to the highest bidders who know the values of the items.

Donors can be sure that the revenue generated from the sale of their donated items on Shopgoodwill.com will support job training and employment services for people in their community – just as it does through purchases made in our 10 Goodwill Retail Stores.