Do you know your business's history?
Don't wait for an anniversary! Do the research now, and reap
the PR benefits!
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| | Our EBook will help you leverage your anniversary and do your business history now! |
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Can a history trail benefit your business economically?
Absolutely! And it will
also benefit your historical nonprofits, community,
and everyone involved. Here's a "done for you" process to follow.
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 | | Yes, the focus is on women's history trails, but the same ideas apply to any other kind of history trail! |
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Greetings!
I'm sitting here in the midst of a major snow storm here on Boston's North Shore, happily writing to you! I don't know about you, but I don't think you're ever too old to enjoy a snow day! Hardly anyone or anything is moving out there, except for the plows - and me, when I head out for a walk shortly.
In this week's Connections I wanted to share some thoughts that have come out of the talks I've been giving at Rotary Clubs in the Greater Boston area. As I'm sure you know, Rotarians are all about service to community, and they really resonate to my suggestion that strategic partnerships between "business" and "history" ultimately benefit the local history in our communities.
They also resonate to the idea that being involved in history generates the all-important trustworthy reputation that every business or nonprofit needs to have. It just does! I'd love to hear your thoughts about why this is true.
Enjoy the snow day if you're in the area (assuming you have power, heat, and food and it can be enjoyable), and if you're in warmer climes my thoughts will probably drift there tomorrow morning while I'm shoveling out!
Be well, and be in touch!
 BonnieP.S. How is your business or nonprofit celebrating National Women's History Month? Call me to discuss ideas! |
How History Can Connect Your Business
to Good Works and a Higher Purpose
 | | The birthplace of Henry David Thoreau in Concord, MA was recently saved, restored, and opened to the public |
by Bonnie Hurd Smith
I really do believe that most of us want to do good work in world. We want to determine our purpose -- the reason we were put here -- and act on it. I further believe that most of us want our business to be connected to such a higher purpose - whatever the business, for-profit or nonprofit, service or product-based. I mean, honestly, what is the point if we're not? And here's my incredibly bold statement:
Supporting your local history connects you and your business to a very high purpose. (continued)
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Do People Trust You? How History Can Help
Your Business Achieve Trustworthiness
by Bonnie Hurd Smith
Do people trust you? Especially if you are in a "high trust" business that's financial or legal, customers need to know they can trust you. It's essential. But, frankly, these days I think everyone is in a high trust business. Given how stretched many people are economically, we all want to trust a return on the investment of every dollar - even if it's an article of clothing, food, or personal items. We want to trust that we are getting our money's worth out of every product and service we spend our hard-earned money on. One way to earn people's trust is by engaging in non-sales relationships, and that's where history can play a role. If your business underwrites a historical community event, for example, serve on the committee, promote the event at your place of business and through your normal communications channels, and have a visible presence at the event. Each of these activities gets you in front or hundreds if not thousands of people because of a shared interest - local history. (continued)
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"When I knew my company was going to celebrate its 100th anniversary, I wanted to do something lasting and meaningful. I contacted Bonnie at History Smiths because I knew she had the ability and reputation to do the historical research on my family-owned business, and the marketing skills to create a brochure, display, and media materials. My existing customers were delighted, and I attracted new clients because of the attention we received."
-Paul K. Soucy, Soucy Insurance Agency, Inc.
"When my colleague Jim Whidden and I decided to develop an educational seminar to teach people the right way to restore an old house, we knew we would need marketing help from someone who was plugged into the history community. We wanted to reach historical societies, public libraries, and the kinds of audiences they attract. Bonnie had a fine reputation in the local historical community, and knew how to promote, which is an unusual combination. She also helped us with some of the local historical content. Within a year, we held a dozen or so seminars throughout our target region, attracted over 200 people, media attention, and new customers. We were thrilled."
-Mathew Cummings, Cummings Architects, LLC
"Bonnie brings knowledge, people skills, a cooperating persona and deep technical competence to her projects ... the 375th was a much better celebration for melding Bonnie's ideas into the year long program in 2009."
-Nat Pulsifer, Chair, Ipswich, MA 375th Anniversary Celebration
"When The Salem Partnership needed a first class interim executive director, a search led us to Bonnie Hurd Smith who was hired to fill that need. Bonnie brought considerable skills in management, organization and follow through to the Partnership and her interim status lead to a one-and-a -half -year stint as director. With her skills, we were able to begin $400M of state funded economic projects to Salem."
-Biff Michaud, Past President, The Salem Partnership, and President and CEO, Salem Witch Museum
"Your book has arrived. Bravo! Bravo! What a monumental, worthy, welcome piece of work. You did it and it looks great. And what long-range value it will have - there's really no way to measure how far and lasting its reach will be, and all because you did it. Warmest congratulations and fond regards."
-David McCullough, Pulitzer prize-winning author (upon receiving Bonnie's book The Letters I Left Behind: Judith Sargent Murray Papers, Letter Book 10)
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