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!
A couple of days ago, the Boston Globe ran a story about girls and financial literacy, and how important it is for them to learn that taking care of themselves financially is a MUST!
What does this have to do with history and History Smiths, you ask, beside the fact that I was quoted? Plenty!
As a historian, I am fascinated by the stories of women who achieved great things, many of whom struggled so hard without money, without access to it, without legal and political rights, and without human rights at all in the case of women who were held as slaves. We can really see how money impacted how they were able to function.
Today, even though women's rights are dramatically different from earlier centuries, women still feel the effects of generations of messages that devalue women. Girls internalize these messages, and the resulting low self esteem can lead to settling for low paid work, not charging enough as an independent agent, being in "servitude" vs. being "of service"(working much too hard for too little, allowing oneself to be taken advantage of), not saving or investing, and holding out the hope that "someone" (like a husband) or "something" will show up to take care of her.
This is so dangerous! Again, it didn't happen overnight, but we ARE in a position today to say ENOUGH. It stops NOW.
Judith Sargent Murray, in 1793, urged girls to "reverence themselves," and urged their parents to teach them to do so. In fact, the Globe article quotes Judith, via yours truly. I invite you to read the article, and have a chat with your daughter, niece, or even yourself about self-esteem and money. It's never too late! I also recorded a brief video on this subject to provide some additional information. I hope you enjoy it!
And on the subject of valuing people...
I've shared some thoughts below on securing information from your long-time employees as they retire, and in a related article, on how learning your industry's history can impact your marketing and PR. I've given you some fun facts about a few specific industries I think you'll enjoy.
Be well, and be in touch!
 BonnieP.S. Please make a note that our phone number will change as of Saturday, January 29, 2011 due to our new phone system. The new number is 978-306-3046. |
Get the Stories from Your Retirees Now!
 | | Flow the champagne, but also get the information! |
by Bonnie Hurd Smith
When members of your team retire, what happens? A party? A gift? Both are lovely gestures, but please think strategically about the institutional memory you are about to lose and how you can capture the experiences, memories, and perspective of your retirees before it's too late. I have been working on a business history for a client, and two of the most helpful documents they gave me have been autobiographical statements made by two of the founding partners on their retirement. It's just amazing. A factoid here and there is enough to send me to newspaper microfilm to track down an important story. A seemingly inconsequential memory at the time has in one case turned into a "first" they can really brag about. Both statements were made about 25 years ago, and there was no way the two retirees could have known how helpful their words would be! What about your retirees? Twenty-five years from now, when you or someone else is researching your company history, will they have left behind information you need to tell your story? (continued)
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Can Knowing Your Industry's History
Attract Customers?
by Bonnie Hurd Smith
As a good historian, as I've been working on the history of my client, a leading accounting firm in Boston, I have also been delving into the history of accounting, tax law, and banking in Boston and the U.S. and it's been fascinating!!!
I wanted to share some fun facts with you to show that:
1) Accounting, tax law, and banking history can be fun!
2) Out of the "fun" can come information you can share with your customers, work into your own story (website, marketing materials), or help you connect to new markets and joint venture partners. You could also give a talk at your local historical society and attract new customers that way, or write something for your local newspaper connecting your business to local history! Adding this kind of history in these and other ways will really set you apart!
Fun facts about accounting, taxes, and banking: · 1689: The Andros Rebellion in Ipswich, Massachusetts, is the first protest against taxation without representation in America. · 1765-1770s: British Parliament levies an increasing number of taxes on the American colonies; the most famous protest takes place in 1774 when "Indians" dump tea into Boston Harbor; war breaks out in 1775. (continued)
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Do you have a question about how history can benefit your business? I would love to hear it, and I would love to answer it!
I might even feature your business or organization here, because others could benefit from the information!
If you're a nonprofit, you are also a business. Ask away! And if you're a historical nonprofit, do you have questions about how what we do can provide you with new revenue streams?
Please be in touch with your question!
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