Those of you who read this missive regularly or perhaps have heard me speak, are probably aware I have a lifelong love of cars and motor racing.
Luckily for me,(even though it’s a very long time since I participated actively in motor racing), I live at the top of the oldest motor racing track in the world Shelsley Walsh.
Every so often I take pictures for my own enjoyment and occasionally I use them in this weekly blog.
A few weeks ago Anny and I attended a Classic Nostalgia event and stood next to a car that had the above badge on it.
Frankly I laughed out loud and indicated my enjoyment to the driver who gave me a thumbs up as he drove off to the challenge of the Hillclimb.
It was only much later, on reflection, what a powerful statement it is.
The car has indeed lasted over one hundred years and still gives enjoyment to its current owner.
What about our business?
How much do we appreciate our roots as a business?
We live in a world where longevity can be easily forgotten.
We talk about track record, experience etc however, a business that has lasted fifteen years is considered by many to be a long-established business.
What does that say of Lloyds of London, Shepherd Neame or Berry Bros and Rudd all established in the sixteenth century?
Or indeed The Royal Mint, Weavers of Nottingham and The Shore Porters Society which are even older!
I lifted this from Google for businesses over one thousand years!
1000 |
Château de Goulaine |
France |
1000 |
Ichimonjiya Wasuke |
Japan |
1024 |
Shumiya-Shinbutsuguten |
Japan |
1040 |
Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli |
Italy |
Holy Moly!
Experience can count for a great deal and it’s up to us to use it.
How about you?
Do you use your experience to good effect in your business or let the latest 'go faster stripe' interfere?
Do you use experience in your sales dealings?
Do you step back and say 'what have we done in the past and does what we learned still apply?'
History is considered a boring subject by many, yet it can teach us so much, particularly in business.
That is if chose to learn from it.
Just say’in…
Until the next time…
Peter