After all, these companies are big (in part) because we spend our money there!

In 2008′s edition to the Fortune 100 listing, the companies span many major industries, reflecting the current diversity of the world economy. Banking, mining, engineering, telecoms, energy, electronics, entertainment are all represented in the “best of the best” or, more simply said, the global companies with the biggest revenues.

Please note that the most impressive growth in revenue numbers, in 2007 compared to 2006, is held by the industries of (1) banking, growth and services, (2) mining and crude-oil production and (3) shipping.

Let’s jump right in and take a look at the list leaders:

Apart from instantly seeing if any of these companies made more or less money in 2007 than in 2006, this list is a great starting point to visit the lush web sites most of these companies have built, complete with investor information, media relations and lots of interactive features.

Surfing the company web sites, you may want to wander towards their various R&D-like sections where they explain their vision and how they intend to realize it, in the future. This could be your chance to offer them to help on one of their upcoming projects, thus helping your company score significant new business.

If you can make these companies look good at the next shareholder meeting, it’s obvious that they want to hear from you so package your message so that’s what they end up hearing.

If the hat fits, use this list wisely to grow your business alongside these global heavyweights that typically have deep pockets but also an obligation to continuously keep up with competitors. This race towards more innovation and novel methods represents, among other things, your chance to become “interesting” for at least some of these Fortune 100 companies.

Tags: fortune 500, fortune 100, top 100 businesses, top 100 companies, biggest companies, global companies, worldwide companies, us companies, french companies, deutsch companies, rich companies, rich businesses, global businesses, revenues, profits, money, shareholders

The revenue streams for these sports franchises are numerous, such as ticket sales, stadium amenities (memorabilia stores, food sales, parking and such), branded merchandise and royalties (namely TV and radio).

Since so many sports franchises have been going on strong for decades, their market value is rocketing to new heights — here’s a short rundown of today’s most valuable pro sports franchises, in the world:

• Manchester United – An American, named Malcom Glazer, bought the famous European soccer team for a whopping 1.45 billion dollars, in 2005.
• Chicago Cubs – They could sell for 1 billion dollars, allegedly to real estate king Sam Zell. Considering the Tribune Co. bought it for 21 million dollars, back in 1981, it’s a -very- good selling price.
• Washington Redskins – In 1999, Dan Snyder (and his 800 million dollars) steped in when ex-owner Jack Kent Cooke died.
• Boston Red Sox – There was a nasty bidding war, back in 2002 and John Henry won it for 700 million dollars, which turned out to be an awesome deal since the baseball club won the World Series two short years after that.
• Cleveland Browns – For a mere 530 million dollars, Al Lerner bought the football club as an “expansion team”, in 1998.

None of those pro sports team owners are complaining about their bottom line since those franchises are so profitable.

It always brings a smile to my face when I see so much money being dealt for games where adults are paid to run after balls in front of crowds.

Now, having seen these numbers -and- keeping an eye on things to come, your bet is as good as mine as to which teams will turn out to be the next financial home runs, touchdowns and flying kick goals.

Whoever figures that out could reap billions of dollars along the way.

Tags: pro sports, franchises, baseball, football, soccer, tickets, stadiums, revenues