Lessons From The World's Oldest Companies

Before We Begin

The Pivotal Decision

Looking back on your company's history, describe a decision that proved essential to your long-term survival — one that a new business owner could learn from. What was the situation, what did you decide, and what principle or lesson does it illustrate?

Surviving the Crisis

Every long-lived company has faced moments when survival was uncertain — whether from economic downturns, industry disruption, internal challenges, or external shocks. Tell us about a crisis your company navigated. What concrete actions did you take to get through it? And in hindsight, were there early warning signs you now watch for?

Choosing the Next Generation

Succession is where many multi-generational businesses stumble. How does your company approach the transition of leadership? Are there specific qualities you look for beyond technical competence? If you could give one piece of succession advice to a founder hoping their company outlasts them, what would it be?

The Practice Behind the Longevity

Longevity is often attributed to broad virtues like "quality" or "customer focus." We're hoping to get more specific. Name one or two concrete practices, policies, or structural decisions that you believe have directly contributed to your company's endurance — something specific enough that another business owner could consider adopting it.

Tradition and Innovation

Century-old companies must honor what made them successful while adapting to a changing world. How do you balance preserving tradition with embracing innovation? Is there a question you ask, a process you follow, or a principle that guides you when deciding what to protect and what to change?

Focus and Expansion

Many companies fail by expanding too quickly or diversifying too far from their core. Others fail by staying too narrow. How has your company thought about this tension? Have you made deliberate decisions to stay focused, or to expand? What guided those choices?

Rituals and Traditions

Many enduring companies maintain rituals, traditions, or recurring practices that reinforce their culture and values over time. Does your company have any such traditions — whether daily, annual, or tied to specific milestones? If you were to recommend one tradition for a young company to adopt, what would it be?

Relationships That Last

Long-lived companies often maintain relationships — with customers, suppliers, employees, or communities — that span decades or even generations. Can you describe a long-standing relationship your company has maintained? What have you done to sustain it, and what does it teach about building trust that lasts?

What You Measure

The metrics a company tracks often reveal its true priorities. Beyond standard financial measures, is there anything your company monitors that you believe contributes to your longevity? This could be customer retention, employee tenure, debt levels, or something less obvious.

Your Advice

Imagine you're speaking to an entrepreneur who dreams of building something that lasts for generations. Based on everything your company has learned over 100+ years: What is the single most important lesson you would pass on? And what is one specific action or practice you would recommend they start immediately?