All’s fair in love and entrepreneurship. Marketing wisdom and observations from the world of outsourced marketing communications.

This past week I rented Terrence Malick’s “The New World”. His lush portrayal of Virginia in all its boundless beauty left me awestruck at times, and I must say his eye for dramatic scenery is impressive. The story, for those who have not seen the film, is about the legendary Pocahontas and the rather impactful life she led over 400 years ago. Of course there are parallel stories and other characters, namely John Smith and John Rolfe, but who really remembers their names after 4 centuries? Historians, perhaps. . .but that’s about it, really.

So let’s consider that for a moment. The spread of time, I mean.

. . .four hundred years.

Pocahontas was a teen-aged girl who had interactions with a group of explorers and settlers from England long before the majority of events that preoccupy most of us today were ever recorded, and yet we’re still talking about her in 2006! Mention her name to anyone above the age of five and they can probably at least identify her.

So that got me thinking about business and corporate permanence. And more precisely, at what point does one’s story stick? There are countless examples of individuals and companies whose legacy just does not stand the test of time, so what causes those others we do remember to remain a fixture in our minds? I can’t tell you how many buildings and streets are named after individuals who were quite well known in their time and for some years after, but have since been lost to the ether. Why? And how can you ensure your legacy and that of your company outlives you and your grandchildren’s children? Of course, the answer is yours to contemplate, but as a corporate historian myself, I’ll give you a few ideas as to how you can get started. Check out a few of these links to place yourself on the right path toward immortality.

Maintaining great corporate records is the role of any serious corporate historian. But what do you do when the cubic feet of archival documents you possess about your company’s history outweigh the building where your office is located? Check out the History Factory and be AMAZED! Also, History Associates runs a tight ship for corporate histories.

The Committee To Encourage Corporate Philanthropy exists to drive corporations to stretch the bounds of the current definition of corporate responsibility. I had the pleasure to hear Miles D. White of Abbott Labs address an audience at the Executive’s Club of Chicago on this very topic, and it was right on, and quite insightful. After all, helping out our friends is a good thing, and as we experienced with Hurricane Katrina, businesses are often in a better place to do it than our governments. Hey, do like Pocahontas and be nice. It seems to create a lasting memory!

Of course, the first step to being remembered, is to start writing. Below I have included a few links to companies who have done a relatively good job of documenting their company history on-line How are you doing? Here are their sites:

Pfizer

Coke (they even have a museum!)

Interestingly enough, Google already has begun the task of documenting their corporate history!

We do corporate histories as well so feel free to reach out if you would like a documented history of your company you can be proud to pass on to your shareholders, employees, and grandchildren. Reach us at www.roscommon.com

Cheers,
Doc Kane, Roscommon

Doc Kane is the president of Roscommon, a Chicago-based marketing communications firm that helps clients outsource their writing needs. Essentially, if it’s got words, Roscommon can help.   His firm has the privilege of writing for some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including Abbott Labs and Aon Corporation, as well as a good number of small businesses and experts making a lot of noise in their own backyards.  Doc has also been heavily involved in Internet marketing since 1994, and continues to help small businesses market themselves online via web content and SEO.  You can visit Roscommon online at: www.roscommon.com