The 100 'smartest' companies

Baseline Magazine has come up with its list of the 100 Smartest Companies, but it's not evident that the top companies really have more brain power than the field. The rankings are based on the value that people, using the 'tools' available to them, bring to a company, measured ba a "knowledge value per employee" formula:    

First, subtract the company's shareholder equity from its market capitalization. Then divide that amount by the number of employees at the company. The result is an intangible but vital asset: the value each employee generates.

Smart doesn't necessarily make the connection between technology/tools/implements usage and revenue per employee metric. From the top of the list (below), it's clear that the real estate business either has the smartest people and best tool utilization or it's just the best business to be in today. I'd vote for the latter...

PDF's of the 100 Smartest Companies and a self evaluation require form registration.