Dec 20, 1999
Guidant Again Named to FORTUNE''s List of 100 Best Companies to Work for in America

Indianapolis, IN - For the second consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine has named Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT) one of The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America. The rankings, which will appear in the January 10, 2000, issue of FORTUNE, were compiled through extensive research, analysis and a poll of more than 33,000 employees at hundreds of companies nationwide.

"As we review the company''s accomplishments over Guidant''s first five years as a public company and look to an exciting future, we are extremely honored to be included again on this prestigious list," commented Ron Dollens, Guidant President and Chief Executive Officer.

FORTUNE was assisted in compiling the list by best-selling authors Robert Levering and Milton Moskowitz, using methodology similar to that used for their books, The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America. Levering and Moskowitz, who have been tracking the best companies since 1981, searched their database of more than 1,000 companies and selected 236 of them as the most viable candidates for this list.

According to Chris Hallen of Hewitt Associates, an internationally recognized human resources consulting firm, far more companies have applied to be considered for the FORTUNE 100 Best list this year than ever before. Chris noted, "Today''s top companies are in heated competition for the best talent - everybody wants to be recognized as an ''employer-of-choice.'' The fact that Guidant is once again on the magazine''s Best Companies list is a significant accomplishment and honor."

Randomly-chosen employees of the selected companies completed the Great Place to Work''s Trust Index survey designed to evaluate trust in management, pride in work and camaraderie. Firms were also asked to submit company newsletters, employee manuals, benefits literature, video tapes and other examples of employee communications. Candidates were rated based on factors such as responses from the employee survey, the written comments, the inventory questionnaire and the supporting materials.

"The fact that our ranking directly reflects employee-owner sentiments toward working here bodes well for the dynamic culture and future success of Guidant," said Kathy Lundberg, Vice President, Guidant Human Resources.

The January 10, 2000, issue of FORTUNE will appear on newsstands beginning December 27.

A global leader in the medical device industry, Guidant provides innovative, minimally invasive and cost-effective products and services for the treatment of cardiovascular and vascular disease. For more information about Guidant''s products and services, visit the company''s Web site at http://www.guidant.com.