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: There are three companies that come to my mind which have left a profound impact on society and the way they have become benchmarks in their respective domains. If our own Infosys Technologies has played a pioneering role in ensuring seamless transactions across firms and industries and demonstrated that the world is indeed flat, then with more than 200 years of international banking experience Wachovia has carved a niche for itself as a global financial services provider, while Wells Fargo has symbolised strength and security for more than 150 years. Each of them has reinvented the rules of the game, but without diluting the basic principles of being customercentric and maximising benefits to its employees and shareholders.

My admiration for Infosys stems not so much from its remarkable economic achievements as from the manner of its achievements. Infosys is universally recognised as a company with a difference — a company driving excellence and innovation with an industry-wide impact so tectonic as to redefine industry and business models and progressively scaling dizzy heights without ever being oblivious to the highest ethical and moral values. This steadfast pursuit of ethics and morality, this culture of truth and integrity is what distinguishes it from other perhaps equally well performing companies.

As an important player in the global financial services arena, Wachovia’s wide product and services range straddle diverse areas. Some innovative measures put in place by Wachovia include banking at parking bays, where in transactions are made while parking and bunker banking. Customers can, as a result, drop cash/cheques in pre-supplied sealed envelopes. No wonder then, the customer satisfaction survey conducted by JD Powers placed Wachovia at the top for the fifth consecutive year. Wachovia’s vision of being “the best, most trusted and admired company in the financial services industry” is grounded on solid performance. As at the end of the first quarter for March 2007, Wachovia had an asset base of $706.4 billion and market capitalisation of $105.3 billion. Its operating strengths include a net interest margin close to 3% and return on assets of 1.35%. These strengths are in line with the benchmarks of global best performing banks.