This article was originally published in 2015 but updated in 2020.
History Factory is known for producing award-winning and nationally recognized company history books and other publications. It’s an application of authentic content that we’ve been doing for nearly 40 years, and often the most cherished organizational keepsake from a particular corporate milestone or event. And while corporate histories and commemorative books are great showpieces for just about any organization, the business case behind producing a corporate and business history really needs to be considered before giving the green light on such a significant undertaking.
But that’s usually the first challenge: realizing that such corporate business publications are a significant undertaking that sometimes requires many months or even a few years to craft. Producing a company history book is not like producing a blog post or white paper. It needs to not only capture the true DNA of a company but also bring it to life through words and images. It needs to have authenticity on every page, with extensive research and insights. Above all else, it has to be a damned good read. As a result, selecting a skilled author is vital. It can be the difference between a boring tract of dry history and an engaging publication that brings past events to life—intellectually, emotionally, and contextually.
An example of this, which we at History Factory are especially proud to be associated with, is Verizon Untethered by Ivan Seidenberg, former chairman and CEO of Verizon. History Factory’s team worked closely with Seidenberg to tell the story of the founding of Verizon and the subsequent transformation of the telecommunications industry. Viewed through the unique lens of Seidenberg and his leadership team, and involving more than 50 interviews, the book is a testimony to the power of putting the organization ahead of the individual.
Company history books have a unique niche within the corporate communications and marketing arsenal. It isn’t something a company does annually, but there are circumstances where producing a publication makes sense. Here are a few reasons why a company should consider producing a history publication:
To create a definitive history.
Nothing is more authoritative than a well-researched commemorative history or book. A publication serves as your official history and handy reference guide for employees, investors, customers, and other stakeholders. It’s an invaluable onboarding tool for new recruits, whether as a welcome gift or as a resource for HR or line management to construct introductory sessions. In effect, a history publication saves time by providing an encyclopedic resource whenever a rapid reference is needed. The answer is often much more easily found in an index than digging through archives, floundering through a digital asset management system, or many of the countless other places where company records are kept.
To bring your history up to date.
With many big events over a prolonged period of time, a corporate history book provides the opportunity to celebrate your organization’s brand and reflect on where the organization is today and where it is headed.
To commemorate a major company anniversary or milestone.
The very nature of a milestone or company anniversary gives you the opportunity to put your business history to use as your organization reflects on where it’s been in the context of where it is going. Authentic content like a company publication provides expressions of values that resonate over time and help a company with a proud heritage differentiate itself from the Johnny-come-lately competition. Often, publications can be released as the crowning event of an anniversary year, a means of marking the milestone for time immortal.
To utilize a pivotal moment in your evolution.
History is made every day, and documenting transformative events while they are still fresh in everyone’s mind creates an incredibly valuable knowledge management tool and cultural lodestone for the future. We worked with one client to document the boost to its esprit de corps as the company fought off a hostile takeover attempt. The fighting spirit sparked by this defining event transformed the leadership team’s strategic approach and set them on an accelerated growth trajectory. The company history book provides a means to exemplify the spirit of what makes the company tick—not just 100 years ago, but today and going forward.
Of course, there are countless other strategic reasons why an organization might produce a company history book. Sometimes it comes down to the CEO simply wanting a commemorative history book, and when that’s the case, it will get done. But remember, just because there’s a story to tell doesn’t mean it needs to be done in a book. While a tangible item like a corporate and business history publication may seem appealing, consider how it might translate into a video or virtual reality experience for potentially even higher impact. Keep in mind whether it makes sense in the context of your strategic goals and objectives, and whether it will support the organization in other ways than simply looking good on a coffee table.
Want to learn more about how History Factory can help you bring your corporate history to life? Contact us today.