What kind of mission, philosophy and culture would you have to develop to keep a company going for 46 generations? How do you keep going through wars, sicknesses, economic turns?
http://blog.longnow.org/2008/06/13/the-100-oldest-companies/
I have to admit that I have never considered that a business could be around for over 1000 years. Never once has this cross my mind as a possibility, but I suppose that has to do with being an American. The oldest homes in our area were only built 30 years ago. Us Americans are all very focused on the NEW. Like children who can’t imagine that their parents were ever kids, we struggle to imagine a world before the USA.
So many people right now are stuck at thinking about the bad economy, wondering ”Will their business survive?” I’d advise them to stop looking at the road right in front of you and take a longer-term view. Think about how you need to adapt.
The world’s oldest business has been around 1290 years. Surely you can find a way to change your strategy to survive the next few months or years. And after this downturn, you’re be smarter. You’ll save and plan. And if you are truly stuck, now is the BEST time to hire a coach to improve your business strategy. Don’t wait until you are living on crumbs. Make changes while there is still time to turn things around.
What can you do TODAY to make your business better? How can you harness your power?
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