The decline in the global economy has caused many companies to collapse and declare bankruptcy – see: Circuit City, Lehman Brothers, and Washington Mutual. Other companies have not only survived the economy, but continue to grow and rake in the billions. Here is a short list of “candidates” that have the best chance to take over the world, one product and dollar at a time.

1.) McDonald’s

I'm loving it = I'm taking over

I'm loving it = I'm taking over?


Is there anywhere in the world you can go without seeing the golden arches somewhere nearby? McDonald’s has 31,000 locations in 119 countries worldwide. That’s a lot of burgers and fries. McDonald’s has even adapted to local customs and practices in other countries, such as in India, where they do not serve beef, but chicken and lamb burgers instead.  Despite the global economic slowdown, McDonald’s has continued to rake in the profits. If there is one company that has already taken over the world, it’s McDonald’s.

2.) Apple

Apple
Sure, in the 80s and 90s Apple was a struggling company and played second fiddle to Microsoft. Times have changed. Apple is one of the “hippest” companies around, offering cool products such as the iPod, iPhone, Macbook, and even rumors of a tablet PC (Click the link and you will see quite possibly the most incredible computer ever). It was even named the most admired brand in the world in 2009 by Fortune Magazine. Apple has slowly positioned themselves in markets such as cell phones, consumer electronics and music distribution. At the pace they are going, we will soon be driving in our iCars to go to iGrocery in order to get supplies to make dinner for your iLover.

3.) Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart
Unlike Apple, Wal*Mart is not looked at favorably. People dislike Wal*Mart for various reasons, one of the main ones being its labor practices. However, Wal*Mart is always packed. In 2008, Wal*Mart had the highest revenue of any public company in the world. In any given week, 1/3 of the entire US population will have visited a Wal*Mart. Wrap your head around that fact for a second. In your neighborhood, you can probably name two to three stores that serve your area alone. Wal*Marts offer almost everything you can need, and are now offering banking services. What’s next for Wal*Mart? I will tell you. World Domination.

4.) Google

Google
Who doesn’t know about Google? There’s a good chance that you used Google’s search engine to find this post. There’s also an even better chance that you have used Google’s search engine today. The name of the company has also become a verb! Heck, their unofficial motto is “Don’t be evil”. Whenever you have to look up something, Google is the place to go. Google has everything you could need online: email (Gmail), blogging (Blogger), office documents (Docs), videos (YouTube), a web browser (Chrome), directions with satellite photos (GoogleEarth and GoogleMaps), a photo editor (Picasa), search engine, as well as advertising programs (AdWords and AdSense). Google also offers a mobile phone operating system in Android.

They have just announced that they will develop a new operating system (also called Chrome), a new communication tool in Google Wave, and Google Voice. This is just the beginning. Accept your Google overlords when they come knocking on your door. Oh, and if you try to sue them for invasion of privacy, how are you going to get the information you need? Google will have indexed all of the world’s information by then.  But then again, this is also the company that brought you this:

Look at Step 23

Look at Step 23

Our Google future looks bright.

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