Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett-Packard (HP), the second largest computer company in the United States, was founded in 1939 by Bill Hewlett and David Packard. They were both graduates from Stanford University in 1934. The company originated from humble beginnings in a garage while they were still fellows at Stanford. The first product HP produced was a precision audio oscillator—used as a small night-light bulb to regulate a temperature dependent resistor in a critical portion of the circuit. The invention was one of many cutting edge designs that became the hallmark of excellence for HP. These types of products led to the firm being known as an innovator in developing precision instruments. HP over the next 50 years would develop many more breakthrough products that eventually provided it with a sizeable percentage of the precison measurement equipment market.

HP's corporate culture was modeled after a familyfriendly environment driven by stability in a changing world. HP prided itself on using high ethical standards in conducting business activities. It invested not only in innovative concepts but in the very people who produced such ideas. Eventually, this collaboration between innovation and high ethical standards evolved into what is referred to today as “the HP way.” It is important to note that HP is a company legendary for its innovations and respected widely throughout the industry as an institution with high business ethics. It has historically been recognized as an institution that practices social responsibility in every aspect of its business. Frankly, this was the legacy that HP's original founder left before retiring from the firm. HP has consistently been recognized for environmental excellence, energy conservation, engineering accomplishments, and most important, for having one of the best corporate environments to work in. The strategy of using breakthrough technology together with being a socially responsible firm led HP to become a leader in the technology field. HP was able to recruit top engineers to work for the firm, was successful in retaining top executives, and was renowned for having a great environment to work in. The company had this openness that exuded throughout the management ranks. It would be corny to say it had an open door policy, because it was much more than that. Employees actually believed in the company and were committed to the vision of the firm.

HP has developed a reputation over time for being an innovative company. It extended this perception in July of 1999, when it appointed Carly Fiorina as CEO. This appointment was significant because Fiorina was the first woman ever to serve as CEO of a company included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, but in February 2005, Fiorina was forced to resign from her position as CEO. HP furthered that reputation when it appointed Patricia Dunn as the chairwoman of its board of directors. HP has always been a firm that was willing to take up socially contentious issues. Clearly having two females at the top of a Fortune 500 company helps to etch away at the myth surrounding the glass ceiling for women.

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