Powerful Lessons from 100 Years in Business

It’s a rare feat for any company to sustain itself for over 100 years, and there are a number of lessons we can learn from companies that have the staying power to last generations.

I have had the great fortune of being able to work for my family’s business, Hill Brothers, for the last 20 years, and have been running it for the last 5. Last week we celebrated our 100th anniversary in style!

In this week’s episode of the Flow Over Fear podcast, I wanted to share some of the powerful lessons learned from a five generation, 100 year old business. There are some common themes from businesses that survive this long – businesses like Nintendo, Zildjian, and others.

From their entrepreneurial beginnings to their legacy today, these companies have something powerful to teach us all about navigating change, cultivating relationships, and building a sustainable future. Here are some of the highlights from the episode:

– Patience and adaptability are essential in adding value and achieving success, both for companies and individuals. Balancing focus and adaptation can lead to growth and sustainability, while prioritizing the representation of oneself to the world over self-interest can lead to a more fulfilling life.

– Relationships and community are crucial to success, both at the individual level and at the company level. Legacy companies like Hill Brothers have built lasting relationships with employees and customers that extend beyond the company itself, contributing to their success over time.

– Building a healthy relationship with fear, both personally and within an organization, can help us rise above it and become sustainable. Whether through core values, discipline, or aligning with our purpose, we can learn to dance with fear and continue to grow and live a fulfilling life.

– Profit motive can cause companies to focus on self-interest or identity, but as a company stays in business longer, the meaning and legacy become more important. Legacy businesses that are still privately owned and adhere to their core values are sustainable because they create value that transcends the profit motive.

To summarize, the three lessons I share in this episode are:

  • Mastering the balance of focus and adaptation
  • Meaning and legacy transcend short term interests
  • In the end, it’s all about relationships

We hope you found this episode insightful. Don’t forget to subscribe, like, rate, and review the episode!

Here’s to the next 100!

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