Dyson, the designer home appliance brand, has topped the table of Super Entrepreneur companies for 2016. This is the UK brand’s first pole position in the rankings.
The result follows a process, undertaken independently by The Centre for Brand Analysis on behalf of the Marketing Agencies Association. This analysed 200 medium/large companies’ entrepreneurial outlook and output, utilising an expert panel comprised of 23 informed individuals.
Dyson is a 38-year-old company still privately owned and headed, quite visibly, by founder James Dyson. Listed 44th in the top 100 entrepreneurs in the UK, according to Management Today, Dyson has built one of the most famous and well-regarded British brands, placing 4th in the latest annual Superbrands rankings.
Dyson’s combined entrepreneurial output and outlook score was consistent with the previous Super Entrepreneur report, showing it is firmly perceived as a leading entrepreneurial blue chip business. In absolute ranking terms, Dyson moved from third in the previous report to first this year, replacing Amazon in the process. The online retail and entertainment giant in-turn moved down to sixth.
While topping the table, Dyson also shares the “AA” Super-Entrepreneurs rating with five other businesses. It’s the only UK owned business, however, to achieve this status.
The other businesses securing an AA rating were Google UK, Apple Computer (UK), Facebook UK, LEGO Company and Amazon.co.uk. Of these, Facebook and Lego were both rated “A” in the previous report, so have improved substantially.
Dyson’s success is partly down to how it is perceived more generally – as a strong innovative business with high growth potential in a mature market.
Its top ranking is also likely to be heavily influenced by the continued high profile role of its founder. The study found that 67% of companies achieving an AA rating had their founder still involved in the business. This owner involvement drops considerably to 17% of those rated A and to 6% of those securing a “BBB” rating. Not one of the companies receiving a “BB” or “B” rating have the founder still actively involved.
In terms of ownership, just 17% of the companies securing an AA rating are private, suggesting that ownership – public or private – is less influential to perceived entrepreneurship than the involvement of the founding figurehead.
The continued involvement of James Dyson was a vital factor in Dyson’s success, alongside its innovative approach to talent, daring culture and agile thinking. Qualities that any business today would thrive upon.
Tim Bourne is chairman of the MAA and joint CEO of Exposure
This advertisement feature is paid for by the Marketing Agencies Association, which supports the Guardian Media & Tech Network’s Agencies hub.
