Our Family Lines is being highlighted as an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce member in the latest issue of Business in Edmonton. Every month, a chamber member is featured and it’s a chance to share their story. It’s nice to get a peek at the people behind the business. Company histories are not just bricks and mortar but tales of courage, creativity and expertise. These are stories worth telling.
Corporate histories: investing in your future
Businesses look to the future. Why? Because the future is what companies, big or small, invest time, money and other resources in. The future is where the payoffs come and rewards are reaped. We’re fixated on what’s ahead and we forget to look behind us. However, our company pasts are just as important to our future successes. Corporate histories give us an understanding of the past and they’re a powerful tool for the future in both business and relationships.
Stories are the means to tell people – prospective clients, customers and shareholders – about a company’s culture: how it was created and built and what is expected. It’s a history to be proud of as well as a powerful communication tool. Irving Oil shares some of its story online. The company was started by K.C. Irving in 1924 in a community in New Brunswick. As the tale goes, the founder lived beside his gas station so he could be on hand no matter what time a customer needed him, day or night. Now, Irving Oil is a massive global business and it’s interesting to read about its roots.
Soft forms of capital
Besides increasing business, corporate stories are also an investment in your future when you factor in soft forms of capital such as reputation, trust, goodwill, image and relationships. Tell a strong company narrative that includes being open, honest and transparent along with demonstrating a good financial performance, reliable products and services.
