How to Write a Company History

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writing company history

The story of your company’s evolution may seem uninspiring to you, but it can play an important role in building trust and respect, especially among younger generations of employees and customers — Gen Zs deeply care about an organization’s background and impact. 

Every company has been shaped by moments of inspiration, perseverance, courage or luck.  Your company history should feature the most compelling highlights of your entrepreneurial journey, along with significant achievements, such as patents and major wins.

You should include your history in your business plan and employee handbook and on your website’s “about us” page. Some companies write a book about their corporate story that is presented to employees and others on special occasions. The message behind your corporate milestones can become your brand’s cornerstone.

Whatever your company history, honesty is key. Check out the biggest business lies ever told .

What should your company history include?

Although the details of your company history are unique to your business, there are four key elements that every company history should include:

  • Why your company was started, including your values and company mission .
  • A brief profile of the founders.
  • Major turning points in your company’s life.
  • Amusing and inspirational events that have occurred along the way.

The details of your company history will help others understand why you started and what challenges you’ve overcome and serve as a roadmap for future accomplishments and success.

How to write a company history

Follow these six steps to write a compelling company history that accurately and informatively describes your business.

1. Read other company histories.

Get inspired by seeing how other companies have recounted their background. For example, Microsoft tells its multifaceted success story with a few articles that recount some of the company’s most noteworthy achievements over the last decade. Seeing how other companies share their history will give you an idea of what you do and don’t want yours to look and sound like.

2. Dig for industry and company highlights.

Did you make a mark on your industry with a breakthrough product or a new twist on an old concept? Explain your company’s achievements in the context of your industry’s history. These events and milestones help form a picture of how your organization got to where it is today. It gives customers, employees and other key stakeholders a sense of where you’ve been and where you might be headed. It can help build your brand’s image and market your organization to the right people.

3. Elicit memories.

Bring history to life by including anecdotes from employees and customers who were there when your company was just starting out. Ask these folks if you can interview them about their experiences. Effective storytelling is a great way to draw your audience to your organization and make them feel connected.

4. Create a timeline.

After gathering your historical facts, record each event on a timeline. This timeline should contain all the important details of your company’s history, organized chronologically.

5. Consult corporate history professionals.

If you prefer, you can hire a professional to research and write your history. However, since your company history is a critical part of your organization’s image, you will likely still want to be involved in its creation in some capacity.

6. Picture it.

Use photos to illustrate your company’s history. Include old snapshots of the founders and snap photos of today’s employees while they work. While at it, take photos of historical documents and other corporate artifacts — they also help tell your story .

Tips for Writing a Successful Company History

Your company history can serve as a marketing tool. There are a few things to keep in mind when writing a company history.

  • Focus on your significant achievements: Unless you plan to publish a book about your company, don’t let your story get bogged down with too much detail. You can still add interesting anecdotes from employees and customers to bring it to life while focusing on major milestones.
  • Be honest about how your company got to where it is: Telling the truth about your company’s history can foster trust among your employees, customers and key stakeholders. When mentioning failed product launches or other less-than-flattering events, you can tie them to essential lessons you or the founders learned that contributed to later success.
  • Highlight your company culture: Your company history should give readers a sense of your company culture . Ask employees if they have a special fondness for certain company traditions. Look back at how you have celebrated your company’s birthdays and other special occasions.
  • Keep organized records of your company history: Whether you or someone else is writing your company history, keep organized records of your history. Document where you found each piece of information you expect to include in your history since you’ll need to refer back to these sources while writing.

Your company’s story doesn’t end when you have completed your corporate history project. Maintain a file of significant events so that as your company grows, you can update its story.

Don’t give too much detail when writing company history. Focus on major achievements and interesting anecdotes from employees or customers and try to incorporate a sense of company culture.

Examples of company histories

If you are struggling to write your company history, there are several well-known organizations you can look to for company history examples. Each company overview is as unique as the business it describes.

Starbucks ‘ company history is both informative and easy to read. It includes a brief profile of the founders, the company background and mission statement and the foremost company turning points. It does all this while using descriptive and imaginative language. The casual and friendly tone of the company history matches the atmosphere it strives to bring to coffee lovers each day.

“Our story begins in 1971 along the cobblestone streets of Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market,” the company wrote on its website. “It was here where Starbucks opened its first store, offering fresh-roasted coffee beans, tea and spices from around the world for our customers to take home.”

Starbucks goes on to detail where its name came from, where it first expanded to and how its chairman and chief executive officer, Howard Schultz, was drawn to the company. Starbucks also includes its mission statement.

“To inspire and nurture the human spirit — one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.”

Scrolling down the page, you are presented with vivid coffee imagery, along with details about coffee as a craft, Starbucks partners, its company culture and sustainability measures.

Starbucks About Us

Source: Starbucks

Adidas takes a unique approach to its company history. The forward-thinking sports brand is all about power, speed and achievement. This mission is conveyed in its company profile. Instead of relying solely on the written word, the company intersperses its history with vivid imagery highlighting its purpose, mission and attitude. By highlighting this information with images that evoke emotion, readers get an immediate feel for the sport-centric company.

Adidas About Us

Source: Adidas

American Airlines

As your company grows, you should tailor your company history to match current marketing conventions. For example, American Airlines has been around for almost 100 years. It tailored its company history to a brief, one-paragraph overview, with an expandable interactive timeline that covers seminal events in the company’s history.

American Airlines About Us

Source: American Airlines

Additional reporting by Judy Artunian.

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Grow » marketing, how to write your business origin story.

A compelling brand story helps people connect with, remember and trust you. The most iconic origin stories focus on the “why” behind how your company came to be.

 Woman talks to group who intently listen

Every business began as an idea, a vision or an accidental discovery. From local shops to major corporations, every brand has an origi n story — and customers want to hear yours. Data from Sprout Social found 57% of consumers will spend more with a brand they feel connected to, and 76% will buy from them over a competitor.

More than ever, consumers want to understand and align with a company’s purpose, values and identity. They want brands to be more human and relatable — what better way to do that than explain “here’s how I got here”? Here’s how you can approach telling what is arguably your brand’s most important story.

What is an origin story?

An origin story is a simple, digestible narrative explaining how your company was started. Your business’s origin story might include the who, what, where, when and how of your business’s beginnings. The most memorable origin stories focus on the ‘why’ of how the company came to be.

[Read: 7 Steps to Building a More Resilient Business ]

Why your brand story is important

Almost everyone knows that Apple started in a garage, Facebook was developed in a dorm room, and Coca-Cola was originally a medicine. Stories like this capture our attention and stick in our memories. According to a multitude of sources , storytelling is practically in our DNA. Thus, telling your brand story is one of the quickest ways to build a connection with your audience.

Second, your origin story is your differentiator. It is what sets you apart from other companies that provide similar services or products. In a hypercompetitive marketplace, a compelling story helps customers understand who you are and gives them a reason to choose you over the others.

Finally, a great origin story strengthens your brand and can lead to increased sales and customer loyalty. It may also attract and inspire employees while serving to reinforce your company’s culture and values.

[Read: 7 Ways to Improve Company Culture Remotely ]

Make sure your story feels personal, honest and authentic. It’s okay to share your humble beginnings or early challenges (it might even make your brand more relatable), but don’t make something up just because it sounds good.

Tips for telling your brand’s origin story

Defining and telling your brand’s origin story can be a daunting task. Don’t worry though — your story will evolve over time as your company grows . To help you get started, here are some tips for telling an engaging story.

Be authentic

Keep it concise.

A great origin story is easily told, retold and recognized. Thus, it needs to be clear and concise. Rather than including every date and detail, try to focus on the “aha” moment, which is the pivotal event that revealed an unmet need or a new way of doing things.

Make your customer the hero

It may sound counterintuitive, but your origin story isn’t only about the company or the founder.

Make sure you tie it back to the customer by highlighting the problem you solved for them, or the unique benefits you aimed to provide.

Use specific details

Just as your favorite books and movies use detailed imagery, so should your story. Create an image in your audience’s mind by sharing specific details about the characters, setting and how you were feeling. These details will help draw people in and make your story more real.

Get inspired

There are plenty of great origin stories out there to help get your creative juices flowing. Look to others in your industry or brands you admire for inspiration. CamelBak, Torchy’s Tacos and Starbucks all have examples of company origin stories. You can also look to time-tested frameworks like the Hero’s Journey to help you structure your story.

Be consistent

Once you have your business’s origin story, share it consistently. Tell the story on your website, on social media, in interviews, and in pitches. Teach it to your employees and instill it into the company culture . Telling your story over and over makes your brand memorable and reminds people why they should connect with you.

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What Is a Company History?

The importance of a company history.

  • Understanding the challenges the company has overcome . The challenges that the company has overcome likely shape the trajectory of your organization within the market and define the characteristics of successful employees within the business.
  • Creating a roadmap for future success in your organization . Discovering what qualities and values have led to success in the past can help shape the decisions and strategy for future success.
  • Increasing pride and enthusiasm in the workplace. Creating a compelling narrative that highlights what sets your company apart from others can help your employees gain a sense of pride and enthusiasm in being part of a unique team.
  • Leveraging an additional marketing asset. Your company history can be used as a marketing asset to attract candidates in recruiting and promote your brand to consumers.

What To Include in Your Company History

  • Why your company was formed . The “why” is often what your organizational values and mission are based on. It explains the problem that existed and the strategic steps your company took to solve it.
  • An overview of the founders . Providing brief biographies of the founders gives your organization character and sets the timeline for the foundation of the company.
  • Values the company was founded on. Clearly emphasizing the values that the company was founded on helps establish your organization’s brand and define what you’re looking for in potential employees.
  • Key events in the company’s existence . Landmark events that altered the trajectory of your organization and set the company up for success should be the bulk of your company history.
  • Other notable company events. Outside of key events, any notable event that exemplifies the organizational culture or values should be included in your company history.

How to Write Your Company's History

1. research competitor company histories, 2. review how the company was founded, 3. identify key milestones and events, 4. interview key stakeholders and tenured employees, 5. organize events into a timeline, 6. consult with a history professional or writer, 7. design a compelling virtual company history, where to include your company history.

  • Company website. Because the company website is the first place that most people will go to learn more about your business, it’s helpful to include the company history here. Many companies will include their history under the “About Us” page. If you want to go into more depth, you may have a page dedicated to a more detailed company history. Wherever you choose to include your history, HR professional Sarah Marchese recommends linking to it from the careers page with a statement like “Read our history here!” This will ensure that prospective employees get excited about what your organization stands for.
  • Employee handbook. Putting the company history in the employee handbook allows everyone to access it easily when they want to. The stories and events you include in the history can help staff see the organization’s mission, vision, and values in action.
  • Annual report. Including a company history as part of your annual report is a great way to help stakeholders understand where your business has been and where it hopes to go. It can provide helpful context for more recent developments.
  • Job listings. While you probably don’t want to include your entire company history on job posts, it can be helpful to include a brief overview. Just a few sentences will get job seekers excited about how far your company has come—and the potential it has to grow even more.
  • New hire orientation. Letting new hires know about your company’s history is a great way to build their enthusiasm on their first day at work.

Examples of Company Histories

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How to Write a Business History

by Anam Ahmed

Published on 21 Aug 2019

Every business has a unique history. Even a brand-new startup has a story to share. Writing a company history is an effective way to tell investors, prospects and employees how your company got to where you are today. When writing a business history, be sure to keep your audience in mind. Don’t overshare too many details and overwhelm the reader. Instead, craft a narrative about your history's pivotal details.

Understand the Importance of Writing a Company History

A company history is a great way to connect to your audience. There are many reasons to write a history of your business, including:

  • Relating to your customers
  • Establishing credibility in your industry
  • Showcasing your years of expertise
  • Increasing employee engagement
  • Strengthening your brand image

Your company history helps the readers to understand the journey you have taken so far. It can also show them where your company may go next. Like your company’s mission, vision and values, a business history is a valuable part of your brand .

Identify the Audience

The first step to writing an effective history of a business is to figure out to whom you’re writing. Who is the main audience for this history, and what do they need to know about you? Audiences can include potential investors, prospects and customers, employees and the media .

Identify the kind of information for which your audience will be looking. Investors may want to know how long you have been in business, how long you’ve been profitable, when you changed direction and why you chose to take a different path for your business.

On the other hand, employees may want to know why you started the company, who the first employee was and when you established certain departments. Prospects and customers might like to know what your mission was when you first started, some quirky facts about your formative years and how you came up with your core values.

Match the Message to the Medium

The way you write your company history will depend on the reason you're writing it. This will impact the kind of information you include and the tone of the writing. When writing for investors, you may be writing a brief company history for a business plan or project proposal. In this case, the tone will be formal. The information you include will be focused on profitability and the direction of the company.

On the other hand, when writing for employees, you may need to write a company history for the new employee package that is handed to new hires. This is a way to educate your incoming employees about the company, so it will be a more thorough history focused on the mission, vision and values. It may also include interesting facts about the founders of the company.

A company history on your website will be geared toward prospects and customers. This is a way to build credibility for your business while engaging your audience with unique information about your company. This kind of history may take a lighter tone and focus on what kind of impact your company has made in the community.

Stick to the Pivotal Moments

When writing a company history, it’s easy to include a lot of information, especially if you are intimately familiar with all of the historical details. Don’t overwhelm the reader with too much information. Instead, focus on the audience and the crucial information they need to know. Stick to those pivotal points and refrain from going off track. This approach helps the reader to follow the business’s journey more easily.

Tell a Story, Not Just the Facts

The historical background of a company is often filled with dates, names, places and other facts. While those are important to note, it’s also imperative to create a narrative . Connect historical moments to one another by showing cause and effect. When discussing historical figures in the company, mention the important impact they had on the business.

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How To Write the Company Background Part of a Business Plan

Tell the story of your company's background

writing company history

What To Include

Be creative, company background examples.

A crucial part of any business plan is spelling out your company history and telling your origin story to show potential teammates and investors how you landed on your business idea and why you are uniquely qualified to pursue it.

Sharing your business background goes far beyond simply telling a clever story of how you triumphed over adversity to launch your new business. What investors will care about is how your personal history, work experience, skills, strengths, and education will help you succeed in the business.

The background portion shows what you've already done to start executing and bringing your idea to life. Potential investors want to know you'll be able to return their investment with dividends in the years to come, and the background section can help.

Key Takeaways

  • Company backgrounds share a bit about the market opportunity you are pursuing (and why you're pursuing it).
  • Company backgrounds can be brief for new companies, while established corporations will have more developed backgrounds.
  • Company backgrounds can be more creative than other parts of your business plan that need to include industry jargon or marketing buzzwords.

The company background should include a brief history of the company. Your company background could be very brief at the beginning stages of starting up, but you can still detail what you want your company to be about and the origin of your idea. Focus instead on your personal history and the journey that led you to start your business in the first place.

In a traditional business plan, your company background (also called the "company description") follows the executive summary.

Sharing the origin of the idea is valuable because it shows how you think and how you were able to take an idea, craft it into something more detailed, and ultimately build a business out of it. Detailing your progress to date, including any relevant key milestones, is an important part of this, as is listing the problems you’ve faced so far (and how you've overcome them).

Describe the market opportunity you're pursuing and why. A business plan to open a pizza parlor is not particularly creative or original, but if your idea is built around a specific market that is not being tapped, you need to emphasize this and discuss your short-term plans for growth and for reaching that market.

Key topics to include are:

  • Any existing experience or relationships with customers
  • The market you plan to cater to
  • Your educational background
  • Other companies you’ve worked for and the roles you've held in those businesses
  • Previous businesses you’ve started and their outcomes/current status
  • Your technical skills
  • Your areas of expertise in your industry segment
  • Your areas of weakness or inexperience and how you plan to compensate for them
  • Any relevant professional clubs or associations you belong to

Company backgrounds don't need to include technical details about your business structure, finances, or other information along those lines. That information will go elsewhere in the business plan.

Tell your story in a way that's more engaging than just another page that leans on industry jargon, buzzwords, and trite platitudes.

To illustrate your company's history, use images that show how you started. For example, you could highlight charts and graphs to draw attention to key milestones or incorporate customer testimonials or excerpts from news stories that featured you or your business. Take it a step further toward building connections with the people reading your company history by showing vulnerability and sharing some of your past failures (and the lessons you learned from them).

Remember to be concise and stick to just one or two creative approaches that best highlight your particular approach to business and your specific history. This section should be brief.

Here are some company background examples from familiar names.

The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories.

Our company's purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. Our portfolio of brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, and other sparkling soft drinks. Our hydration, sports, coffee, and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak, Ayataka, and BodyArmor. Our nutrition, juice, dairy, and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife, and AdeS.

We're constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people's lives, communities, and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices, and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide.

The Home Depot

When The Home Depot was founded in 1978, Bernie Marcus ad Arthur Blank had no idea how revolutionary this new "hardware store" would be for home improvement and the retail industry. Today, we're proud to be the world's largest home improvement retailer. In 2,300 stores across North America, we aspire to excel in service—to our customers, associates, communities, and shareholders. That's what leadership means to us. That's The Home Depot difference.

Want to read more content like this? Sign up for The Balance’s newsletter for daily insights, analysis, and financial tips, all delivered straight to your inbox every morning!

Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship. " Business Plan Outline ."

Small Business Administration. " Write Your Business Plan ."

The Coca-Cola Company. " About the Coca-Cola Company: Overview ."

The Home Depot. " Our Story ."

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Your Company’s History as a Leadership Tool

  • John T. Seaman Jr.
  • George David Smith

“There’s no need to dwell on the past; what matters is the future.” As business historians who consult frequently to companies, we hear some version of this sentiment all the time from executives. When the history of an organization does come up, it’s usually in connection with an anniversary—just part of the “balloons and fireworks,” […]

Reprint: R1212B

When the history of an organization comes up, it’s usually in connection with an anniversary—just part of the “balloons and fireworks” (as one business leader characterized his company’s bicentennial celebration, knowing that the investment of time and money would have little staying power). A fast-changing world leaves little time for nostalgia and irrelevant details—or, worse, strategies for winning the last war. But the authors, business historians at the Winthrop Group, assert that leaders with no patience for history are missing a vital truth: A sophisticated understanding of the past is one of the most powerful tools they have for shaping the future.

The job of leaders, most would agree, is to inspire collective efforts and devise smart strategies for the future. History can be profitably employed on both fronts. As a leader strives to get people working together productively, communicating the history of the enterprise can instill a sense of identity and purpose and suggest the goals that will resonate. In its most familiar form, as a narrative about the past, history is a rich explanatory tool with which executives can make a case for change and motivate people to overcome challenges. Taken to a higher level, it also serves as a potent problem-solving tool, one that offers pragmatic insights, valid generalizations, and meaningful perspectives—a way to cut through management fads and the noise of the moment to what really matters.

Idea in Brief

For a leader who hopes to take an organization into the future, one of the most powerful tools available may be a sophisticated understanding of its past.

Because a shared history is central to group identity, past experiences can be summoned up in times of great challenge and change to inspire people’s energy and commitment. History can even be invoked to bring together groups that have been at odds—as Kraft and Cadbury showed when they highlighted shared themes in their pasts to achieve a smooth merger.

A thoughtful consideration of enterprise history also helps leaders set a wise course. Decision making improves when strategists take the time to understand why actions were taken and how assumptions have become deeply rooted. As the great business scholar Alfred D. Chandler Jr. used to put it, “How can you know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been?”

“There’s no need to dwell on the past; what matters is the future.” As business historians who consult frequently to companies, we hear some version of this sentiment all the time from executives. When the history of an organization does come up, it’s usually in connection with an anniversary—just part of the “balloons and fireworks,” as one business leader we know characterized his company’s bicentennial celebration (knowing that the investment of time and money would have little staying power). This is not to say that celebrations are unimportant, and we sympathize with managers’ day-to-day need to focus on the steps ahead. A fast-changing world leaves little time for nostalgia and irrelevant details—or, worse, strategies for winning the last war.

  • JJ John T. Seaman, Jr. is the founder and CEO of Saybrook Partners, a communications and strategy advisor to organizations and families around the world. He holds a PhD in history from Columbia.
  • GS John T. Seaman Jr. is a partner at the Winthrop Group, a history and archival services consulting firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and New York. He has a PhD in history from Columbia. George David Smith, a founding director of Winthrop, is a clinical professor of economics and international business at the NYU Stern School of Business. He has a PhD in history from Harvard.

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3 Essential Tips for Great Company History Writing

  • October 6 th , 2017
  • anniversary books , company history books , company history writer; corporate history expert , company history writing , corporate history writing , corporate legacy books , corporate story writing , corporate storytelling

Whether it is the retirement of the founder, a major transition, or a milestone anniversary—every company gets to the point where writing its story becomes a serious consideration. Here are 3 essential tips by Canadian corporate history expert and company history writer Dr. Ulrich Frisse on how to get it right the first time.

Ask the right questions

writing company history

Don’t overthink the structure

You need to have a base chapter structure outline before you start writing your company’s story. Keep it simple and don’t overthink it at this early stage in the corporate history writing process. Every corporate narrative follows a somewhat chronological structure. A decade by decade approach is often enough to get you started. Sort milestones, stories, and quotes from your interviews into that base structure and don’t worry about the right connectors between chapters until later. Review and readjust your chapter structure after you have incorporated all your base content. At this point, you will most likely be left with material on specific themes with no home in the narrative yet. This is the time to develop some additional theme chapters on concepts that will differ for each company: for a highly innovative company it might be “Innovation and Technology Leadership” whereas for a family business it might be “Multi-Generational Family Entrepreneurship”. Most importantly, trust your corporate story writing abilities throughout the process.

Tell the stories behind the larger story

writing company history

One final thought. If you get stuck, don’t hesitate to ask the experts. At Historical Branding Solutions, writing corporate history in the form of company history books ,  corporate legacy books and  anniversary books is what we do each and every day. Need help? Call us at 519-501-1412 or email us .

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  • Next: Company Anniversary Book / Corporate Anniversary Books – Why your 50th company anniversary is the perfect time for a corporate history book

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Word Nerds

There are many reasons for writing a company history. It could be to celebrate an anniversary or to document your organisation’s achievements over the years.  A company history might be part of a company profile . Whether you are looking to write a company history yourself or hire a freelance company history writer, writing a company history can be a challenging undertaking.

Here are a few tips to consider when writing a company history.

Check the Archives When Writing a Company History

When writing a company history, the first questions to ask is ‘Has the organisation saved documents from the past?’ If so, where are they kept? Hopefully, you will have easy access to historical documents for your research. If not, you will have to spend time to track down what you can find. Past or current employees and family members might have kept documents and publications that can help you learn more about milestone’s in the company’s history.

Interview People in the Company when Writing a Company History

Depending on how far back your company history goes, interviewing current staff can help you in writing a company history. Start with staff members who have been around the longest. Even if they haven’t been around since the beginning, they will have experienced and heard stories about the company that occurred before their time. Current employees might also be in touch with past employees (or at least know their names) who you can find and interview.

Interview People Outside the Company when Writing a Company History

Clients, suppliers and industry leaders can provide insight into the company’s history. The outside perspective can show how the business has benefitted and shaped the industry over the years. Ask current company leaders to find out more about the clients and suppliers who have worked with them.

Search Libraries When Writing a Company History

If you have searched the company archives and interviewed employees, alumni, suppliers and industry leaders, there still might be gaps in your company history. The next step is to look at outside sources including libraries and government archives. In libraries, you can look for publication with articles written about the company. In Victoria, for example, you would want to start with the State Library of Victoria .

Writing a company history can be a long and challenging process. But if you take a systematic approach in finding your sources, you should be able to get what you need.

If you are thinking about creating a company history, a company history writer at Word Nerds will be glad to discuss the process with you. Also, you can  download a sample of a company history we wrote for a Melbourne-based company celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016.

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hai-corporate-history

How corporate histories help companies understand their past, present, and future

By Scott Vierick , Historian

A well-written and researched corporate history is a powerful asset for any organization. An experienced corporate historian can go beyond a simple celebratory account and can write an insightful, compelling, and accurate official corporate history that can serve as both a reference point to a company’s past and a source of inspiration for its future.

hai-corporate-history

A corporate history does not need to be a traditional book. HAI’s most recent company history took the form of an interactive website using the PassItDown platform.

The benefits of corporate histories

An official corporate history helps preserve institutional memory. According to the Bureau of Labor Statics, pre-pandemic, the average employee had been at their company for around four years. Corporate histories help employees new and old better understand their organization’s past, including key decisions, events, personnel, and stakeholders. When companies have a history of mergers or acquisitions, having a clear, understandable account for employees to reference is especially valuable.

For example, when Product Hatchery purchased the common law rights to Reineberg’s Shoes and Shoe Repair company, they hired HAI to craft a report on the business’s history. The final product highlighted the similarities between the 140-year-old shoe store and the seven-year-old digital product company and provided a narrative to guide future marketing efforts. 

19th-century-record

A financial record from the 19th century. HAI historians were able to efficiently review records in both English and French to help a client identify ties to slavery in antebellum Louisiana.

A thorough and accurate history is built upon thorough research including physical documents, oral histories, and photos/multimedia. Once the research is complete, there are many options to share that information with the world including  books , online timelines, or  websites . Oftentimes, the research reveals previously undiscovered resources that can be leveraged by the company. In 2015, the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) hired HAI to update its corporate history by creating an online timeline. The sources and materials identified as part of the research ended up being so compelling that HDA had HAI create an exhibit for its annual conference to better share this history with its members.   

The final option should be tailored to the needs of the organization, but many companies are increasingly prioritizing accessibility, wanting to have a product that can be easily viewed, considered, and studied by people at all levels of the organization and the general public. Shorter booklets, digital timelines, or interactive websites are all ideal venues for this approach.   

Handling difficult parts of a corporation’s past

Not every part of a company’s history will be positive or laudatory.  History Associates has worked with many clients to both determine corporate genealogy and examine primary sources  that show involvement with antebellum  slavery.  Some jurisdictions mandate that any company seeking to do business in their community disclose any ties to antebellum slavery. A history of mergers, acquisitions, restructuring, and divestments mean that many companies answering this question will have to do more research than simply determining whether incorporation was pre-  or post – 1865.

While not all companies face this issue, many do have events in their past that are less than exemplary. Although  the tendency might be to ignore  or hide these parts of a n  organization ’s story,  a thorough accounting of them can yield many benefits. Conducting thorough historical research can help identify how these events happened, what steps have been taken to resolve the issues, or what action needs to be taken in the future.  Bringing on an outside  corporate history consultant can help ensure that the research on these difficult topics is comprehensive, fair, and detailed. 

Where corporate histories come from

organized-archive

A well-organized archive can save a company space, time, money, and sanity.

A  key part of any official corporate  history is drawing upon the resources in a company’s archives. An  organization’s archives can hid e  a trove of treasures. Documents relating to important decisions, marketing materials, and images and artifacts can all often be found in the archive.

However, for many companies ,  these archives  are often disorganized and inaccessible.  Investing  in archiving and creating a detailed collections plan for future additions yields many benefits. Relevant documents can be easily referenced, marketing materials  can  inspire  future advertising campaigns, and  old photos and videos can show how the organization and the people who work the re  evolved.  An  experienced  corporate archivist can help  clear up cluttered files and determine wh at documents should remain or be disposed of.  With the proper expertise,  even the most chaotic storage space can become an accessible and useful corporate archive.

As noted by the  Harvard Business Review , “to lead with a sense of history is not to be a slave to the past but, rather, to acknowledge its power.”  A well-crafted corporate history can help  harness  that power and ensure better decision – making .  It can give an organization a better sense of itself, where it is, where  it’s  been, and where it needs to go. However, to be successful, a company needs to be willing ,  to be honest, thorough, and reflective as it goes about  research and  compiling  the narrative. While the process is challenging, the results are usually worth it.

For nearly 40 years, HAI has provided history services to a diverse range of small, medium, and large corporations and nonprofits. Some clients wanted to celebrate their anniversaries, others needed to investigate and comprehend the ghosts of their pasts, while still others needed help organizing their own inaccessible and disorganized archives. Please contact us directly if you are interested in creating your own corporate history!

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Enchanting Marketing

Writing advice for small business

How to Craft a Business Story (and Energize Your Audience)

by Henneke | 114 enchanting opinions, add yours? :)

A n inspirational business story gives readers a glimpse of who you are, making them feel connected, and they become more interested in buying from you.

This article explains how to write your business story:

writing company history

Write your business story

How to write your business story

You enter a room full of serious grey suits politely sipping their wine, bragging about their corporate missions. Rather boringly.

And there you are, in your purple shirt, feeling out of place.

You grab a glass of beer, and tap a fork against the glass to attract attention.

“Listen up,” you say, “let me tell you a story about how I conquered the world.”

“Wanna hear it?”

A business story doesn’t need bravery like that. But a good business story has the same impact: You attract attention. You stand out. You invigorate your audience, and pull them closer to you. They get inspired.

The power of a good business story

Let’s be honest, the web is full of gobbledygook -filled mission statements, conjured up by committees with the only aim not to offend anybody.

Big corporations can afford to be boring. Because they have tons of money to buy brand awareness.

But for small businesses and freelancers, life is different. We don’t have heaps of money, so we have to fascinate our audience and spark action.

A good business founding story takes readers on your journey, gives them a glimpse of who you are, and helps gain an emotional buy-in. Just reading your story makes people feel better already, so they start imagining how good it would be to work with you.

This is the power of storytelling .

An example of a powerful small business story

Business stories come in different shapes and sizes

How Jobs and Wozniak built their first computer in a garage. How Ben and Jerry started their first ice cream shop in a renovated gas station (after a $5 correspondence course). How Disney started as a cartoon studio in the 1920s, and now produces entertainment on a global scale.

Some stories sound like fairytales, and you may think your story isn’t fascinating enough.

But that’s untrue.

Every business has a good story. You simply have to dig to find the four key moments in your business history, and craft your story around these four key moments.

Here’s an example business story of BrewDog , a brewer of craft beers:

Martin and I (James) were bored of the industrially brewed lagers and stuffy ales that dominated the UK beer market. We decided the best way to fix this undesirable predicament was to brew our own. Consequently in April 2007 BrewDog was born. Both only 24 at the time, we leased a building in Fraserburgh, got some scary bank loans, spent all our money on stainless steel and started making some hardcore craft beers. We brewed tiny batches, filled bottles by hand and sold our beers at local markets and out of the back of our beat up old van. Our biggest mission when we set up BrewDog was to make other people as passionate about great craft beer as we are. And that is still our biggest mission today.

Martin and James tell their story around these four key moments:

  • They encounter a problem: industrially brewed lagers and stuffy ales are boring.
  • They have a spark of insight: What if we can fix this problem?
  • They start their own brewery, brewing in tiny batches.
  • They are now on a mission to make more people passionate about craft beer.

The story is quite simple, but includes enough details to make it fascinating: how they leased a building in Fraserburgh at only 24, how they brew in tiny batches, fill bottles by hand and sell them at local markets out of the back of their old van.

Moreover, emotional and sensory words make the story vivid: stuffy ales, scary bank loans, hardcore craft beers, a beat up old van.

How to write your own business story

You don’t need a special talent to craft your own business story.

First, define the four key moments of your business story:

  • Which problem do you solve?
  • Which insight sparked the start (or pivoting) of your business?
  • What are you doing now to fix the problem?
  • What’s your mission?

When you connect your mission to your founding story, you energize and motivate your audience.

Here’s how Chris Winfield defined the four moments in his story:

  • Problem: For years he struggled with working too much and never really enjoying his life.
  • Spark of insight: In March 2013, a company he had co-founded imploded; and it forced him to take a hard look at his life.
  • How he fixed it: He learned that you can change your life gradually—small changes can have a big impact on living a happier, more fulfilling, more successful life.
  • Mission: Chris wants to make it possible for everyone he works with to work less, accomplish more, and live life on their terms.

See how the story has the same elements as the BrewDog story?

Life is much messier

Life is an undulating road, full of bends, twists, hills, mountains, valleys, dead-end alleys, and even motorway pile-ups.

But your readers don’t need to know all the details. They don’t want a full resume and they’re not interested in a day-by-day journal either.

It’s your task as storyteller to decide what matters:

  • Describe the 4 key moments and craft your story around them
  • Decide which details help bring your story to life
  • Skip everything that’s irrelevant to understanding the plot

Your story helps readers understand what drives you, who you are, and why you are the person to help them.

That’s how you energize, motivate, and inspire.

How to Craft Your Business Story by Defining 4 Key Moments

PS Thank you to Chuck Doublet of Being a Black Belt of Business for inspiring this post.

Further reading on business storytelling:

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Reader Interactions

Leave a comment and join the conversation cancel reply.

writing company history

November 25, 2022 at 11:08 am

Great storytelling, it will help me to frame my own stories

writing company history

November 25, 2022 at 11:13 am

Thank you, Adi. Happy storytelling!

writing company history

September 3, 2022 at 9:10 am

Thanks for sharing this blog on writing start-up stories. It has benefitted us to write ours.

September 3, 2022 at 10:09 am

Great. Happy storytelling!

writing company history

March 31, 2022 at 12:03 pm

Wow, it’s really a useful guide with enough details for me to write my brand story, but I am not a english native speaker, I am afraid it’s a hard work for me. I will try to write a framework firstly according to your suggestions. The story of Martin and James looks quite similar with mine. I was a new mother when decided to start my business: Teaching people gua sha and sell them gua sha tool.

March 31, 2022 at 12:54 pm

I am glad you found it useful, Lynne. I’m a non-native English speaker, too!

writing company history

November 15, 2021 at 2:57 pm

This is so helpful and it will go a long way in helping to create a lovely story.

November 15, 2021 at 5:36 pm

Thank you, Mercy. Happy storytelling!

writing company history

June 21, 2021 at 1:40 pm

Hi Henneke,

I am looking for someone to help me write my story. I have a rough outline. Is there anyone here who could assist please

June 21, 2021 at 8:55 pm

Hi Mary-Anne,

Unfortunately, I’m not available for projects.

writing company history

April 12, 2021 at 5:43 pm

Thank you for this simple yet inspiring way to help me build my story. It is exactly what I was looking for. This template is perfect and I am sure you have helped and will continue to help so many others.

April 12, 2021 at 6:21 pm

I’m glad you found this template useful. Happy storytelling!

writing company history

November 16, 2020 at 11:20 pm

thank you, its really helpful to understand the 1st step of starting storytelling about my work.

November 17, 2020 at 8:50 am

I’m glad it was helpful, Maksuda. Happy storytelling!

writing company history

September 2, 2020 at 12:53 pm

Thank you, it is really easier to have examples. It gives simplification.

September 2, 2020 at 2:58 pm

I’m glad you enjoyed the examples, Natalie. Happy storytelling!

writing company history

May 29, 2020 at 8:33 am

I have recently listerned to a webinar on creating a founder’s story. all effort to craft the story was not successful but when I saw your examples it looks easy and simple to follow.

more to this sample is the desire to tell relatable story in public speaking for 10 minutes.

Thank you for your insight

May 29, 2020 at 12:05 pm

I’m glad you found these examples helpful. For more in-depth guidance check out the book Do Story: How to tell your story so the world listens by Bobette Buster.

writing company history

April 10, 2020 at 4:08 am

Really really another great addition from Henneke. I came across Henneke blog a many months before but I had no time in thhose days as I was very busy in my teaching schedule at school & many other places but bookmarked Henneke’s blog now due to Covid lockdown when I”m almost totally free I’m giving a lot of time to Henneke’s writing and learning really a lot. She is an exceptional writer as well as teacher. She knows how to inspire and teach the learners, Thank you Henneke your services for the new and old writers are really great.

April 10, 2020 at 9:10 am

I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog, Abdul. Happy writing!

writing company history

April 4, 2020 at 11:50 pm

Great article, really enjoyed reading it. I never felt I was good at storytelling. You are an inspiration for me. I like how you gave the four pillars to the story. Now I fell as if I could tell a small story.

April 5, 2020 at 9:53 am

Thank you so much, Roxanne. I’m glad you enjoyed this. Happy storytelling!

writing company history

February 13, 2020 at 11:34 am

Thank you Henneke for another blog full of gold. We’ve started to apply story telling in our marketing and the response has been fantastic, also thanks to your tips!

February 13, 2020 at 1:41 pm

That makes me happy, Iacopo. Thank you for letting me know. Happy storytelling!

writing company history

November 20, 2019 at 2:55 pm

I just finished my PhD in psychology. I was struggling to craft a compelling story of what I do as Industrial-Organizational Psychologist. Finally, found a simple trick of telling my story…Now I feel free, unleashed…time to conquer to world, second thought…first let me tell them who I am (blessings)

November 20, 2019 at 3:36 pm

I’m happy to have helped unleash your creativity. Happy storytelling!

writing company history

September 29, 2019 at 7:25 am

thank you for the post, I was having writers block getting lost in the details of my story, this quick read and the 4 questions has really helped me to get my story written and published in a short and effective format

September 29, 2019 at 7:58 pm

Great! Thank you for letting me know, Devon. Happy storytelling 🙂

writing company history

April 29, 2019 at 8:14 am

Thank you for your simplicity, I took time to read two of your lessons here including the one on the 3-act story telling and wow I was helped. I was so helped that I wrote a blog article about our company story within 1hr of trying it with your method.

Thank you for taking time to help us by sharing your knowledge with us.

Kind regards Gilbert

April 29, 2019 at 7:29 pm

Great! I’m glad to read that my blog posts have helped you write your story. Thank you for sharing.

writing company history

December 2, 2018 at 10:33 am

Another brilliant & inspirational blog you & Brewdog just makes it so clear how it needs to be done have helped me to rease out & focus on the things that matter. Thanks so much keep up the great work

December 2, 2018 at 11:35 am

I’m glad this post helps you focus on the things that matter. Thank you for stopping by, Rhiannon. I appreciate it!

writing company history

August 27, 2018 at 6:52 am

Great article Henneke and I like your examples. I agree telling an engaging story doesn’t have to be complicated or long. Well done! Cute graphic too.

August 28, 2018 at 7:23 pm

Thank you, Jill. I’m glad you enjoyed this article.

writing company history

August 11, 2018 at 7:18 am

Very Awesome and Helpful. Had some idea/writers block for my business story. This will help me as I commence with my 1st Draft. Giving Thanks!

August 13, 2018 at 8:47 pm

writing company history

January 25, 2017 at 4:18 pm

Since this is my first time commenting on one of your articles… Let me start by saying that I am a huge admirer of yours (particularly your style of communicating concepts & ideas), and quite often refer to your blog for creative inspiration. ALSO… thanks for your article(s) about metaphors. They have made a tremendous difference in my work.

I’m currently working on developing a mission statement for a client, and was wondering if you have any recommendations (articles, books, etc) that I may find useful? I understand there’s generally more of a technical difference in developing a mission statement versus an “About Us,” but should the approach be the same?

January 25, 2017 at 7:34 pm

Thank you for your lovely comment, Craig. I think the About us page should include the mission statement I recommend writing mission statements by thinking about who you help with what, and why they would care about it. For instance, I help solopreneurs improve their writing skills and find their voice, so they can connect with their audience and grow their business. You can then play with words and possible shorten it.

You may find this article by Pamela Wilson useful: http://www.copyblogger.com/define-brand-grow-business/

writing company history

December 4, 2016 at 8:09 pm

Really liked this article, thank you. I’m a copywriter and often write ‘about’ pages for clients. I found you initially on copyhackers, then bought your about us ebook which I refer to often 🙂

Was this post inspired by the hero’s journey? I haven’t studied it but your method in this post sounds similar. Could you suggest any great books/blogs/copywriters/podcasts to help me improve my work? It would be so appreciated coming from a pro like yourself!

December 5, 2016 at 5:44 pm

That’s lovely to hear, Ashley. Thank you. And yes, this as a simplified version of the hero’s journey.

Books on copywriting in general? It’s hard to know where to start. On storytelling, you may find Nancy Duarte’s book Resonate useful. It’s written for creating presentations, but the same principles apply to writing blog posts. On copywriting introductions, Cashvertising by Drew Eric Whitman and the Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joseph Sugarman are both good. My favorite book is Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath.

If you’re looking for other or more recommendations, feel free to drop me an email.

writing company history

December 2, 2016 at 6:23 pm

A business story is subtle and that’s what makes the curve as compared to boring straight forward business plans.

It’s just like the difference in text statistics and infographics. Great Post!

December 2, 2016 at 9:14 pm

Yep, that’s a good way to put it. Thank you for stopping by, Karan!

writing company history

December 1, 2016 at 2:50 pm

Drop the mike Henneke! Yes, it has taken me a while to wean myself off the comforting conventional ‘blankie’ of (dry) vision and mission statements. I agree it all starts with a crafting a great story, telling it (business storytelling) and by the action of telling – inviting others (employees, customers etc) to write the next chapters with you (story-making). Cheers for the brainpoke and keep them coming!

December 1, 2016 at 9:28 pm

Ah yes, that’s a nice addition… inviting others to write the next chapters of the story. I like that!

Always good to see you, Nicole! 🙂

writing company history

December 1, 2016 at 2:20 pm

Thanks for sharing these steps for business storytelling at just the right time for me. Yay!

I began offering life story workshops this year and occasionally have attendees who can benefit from learning to tell their business stories as well. Your steps are easy to follow so those who think they can ‘t write will be encouraged. I will now be incorporating business storytelling into my offerings.

Your illustrations are the perfect touch to support your writing, and distinguish your work from all other bloggers. I’d love to learn cartooning to illustrate my writing, but for now dare not add another task/course/project to my overflowing plate.

December 1, 2016 at 9:27 pm

Life story workshops … that sounds wonderful!

I know what you’re saying about overflowing plates. Isn’t it hard to make choices about what we spend our time on? I find it tricky.

Happy storytelling, Flora. And thank you for stopping by.

writing company history

November 30, 2016 at 9:58 pm

Brilliant post Henneke! I’ve read a lot about business storytelling, but I think your practical steps really nail down the key points to write a great story. When I think of inspirational business stories, they all really do incorporate these elements.

December 1, 2016 at 12:57 pm

What a lovely compliment. Thank you so much, Laura. Thank you for stopping by!

writing company history

November 29, 2016 at 12:55 pm

How awesome to have found this website. I’m struggling to write copy for my products and website. Reading this gives me a very practical how-to. I have a feeling the struggle is over. How did you do that? This from a girl who has read everything on copy. Thank you Henneke. I’ve bought your two books on kindle as I can’t believe my luck! x

“I have a feeling the struggle is over.” That’s so lovely to hear. Happy writing, Ekwy! And thank you for buying my books 🙂

writing company history

November 28, 2016 at 3:00 pm

When others write, they are merely tips. A lot of jargons that don’t make sense to a layman.

When Henneke writes, they are nothing but simple actionable tips. Thanks for this post 🙂

Cheers, Aman

November 28, 2016 at 8:53 pm

What a lovely comment. Thank you, Aman. I do try my best to provide easy-to-implement tips 🙂

writing company history

November 27, 2016 at 8:13 am

I don’t know, Henneke. I don’t have a business story – and I don’t want one. And when I think of what yours would be – I get stuck, too.

For me, the most interesting stories are not in my business at all. For you, the development of your business has gone pretty smoothly too 😉 It is not the most interesting thing about you. Am I misinterpreting your post?

November 27, 2016 at 7:42 pm

I don’t want to suggest that writing a business story is obligatory, but I’ve found that many people want to tell their story, but don’t know how. And a story can add interest to an About page.

The simple version of my business story would probably cover these four points:

1. I didn’t think I had any writing talent, and I certainly didn’t consider myself a writer. But in the age of content marketing, I thought I had to learn how to write. 2. I found out that writing isn’t magic, and that most of us can learn how to write good business content (even me!) 3. I enjoyed writing and started to share what I learned about writing in guest posts and on my blog here. 4. I’m now on a mission to help others find their voice, become confident writers, and attract the right audience to their business.

Things always look smoother from the outside than from the inside 🙂

November 28, 2016 at 7:24 am

I see. I see. I see.

writing company history

September 28, 2021 at 4:58 pm

Yeah … that’s what I was going to say: it may LOOK easy and smooth, but it never is. It’s a lot o’ hard work!

September 28, 2021 at 9:03 pm

Exactly. That’s so true! Thank you for stopping by, Kathie.

writing company history

November 24, 2016 at 7:17 pm

You make everything appear to be so simple! Love the way you deconstructed these messages and showed us how to do the same.

Thanks for a simple tutorial and the delightful hand-drawn infographic. – David

November 28, 2016 at 9:45 am

Happy storytelling, David!

Thank you for your lovely comment. I appreciate it 🙂

writing company history

November 24, 2016 at 12:15 am

I forgot to mention how much I adore your drawings Henneke, and now the lettering, just fabulous! Clever, clever lady!

November 24, 2016 at 12:08 am

Once again, Henneke, you have inspired me into action. I was compelled to leave the post to begin writing my new story and was quite surprised and pleased with what I wrote. Sadly it is too long. It did , however give me insights and a realization, so thank you.

November 24, 2016 at 9:29 pm

I love it when you feel inspired to implement my tips! Once you have the draft written, leave it for a day, and then try to see how you can shorten it. It’s usually possible to cut about 25%, sometimes more.

And thank you for your lovely compliment on my drawing and lettering 🙂

writing company history

November 23, 2016 at 5:33 pm

This post totally makes me want to ignore all the other things I had planned for today and start writing a clever business story. Your 4-step method will make it so much easier and fun to craft.

By the way, if you ever decide to offer custom drawings for purchase I know you’d have plenty of customers from your email list. Like the others mentioned, they are simply adorable.

November 23, 2016 at 9:46 pm

I’m sorry to have messed up your plans for today, Carole 🙂 Happy storytelling!

Thank you for your lovely compliment on my drawings. My sister has also been telling me to do more with them!

writing company history

November 23, 2016 at 5:30 pm

Thank ewe again for another thought-provoking, and blissfully short and easy to read, article. Our business idea came about by accident, since an opportunity for a youth charity was presented to my partner (the shepherd) and his off the cuff remark sowed the seed. Roll on a few years, local business people trialled it, liked it and our business was then born. Does this genesis count do you feel?

November 23, 2016 at 8:07 pm

Yes, sure. Everything counts. Go for it!

Thank you for your lovely comment, Caroline. I appreciate it 🙂

writing company history

November 23, 2016 at 7:43 am

Thank you, Henneke, for this post! It’s practical, and it offers simple but powerful framework for telling your story. I love it how you make things simple and just so easy to comprehend 🙂 and the drawing is so much fun as usual!

November 23, 2016 at 10:07 am

Thank you for your lovely comment, Antoniya. I appreciate it! 🙂

writing company history

November 23, 2016 at 5:40 am

Insightful, as usual. I am going to use the technique to write business story for my husband’s restaurant business. Thanks and keep such posts coming!!

That sounds great, Shweta. Happy storytelling!

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 9:39 pm

Perfect timing for this article, Henneke. I am working on this today as part of your copywriting course. The extra clarity here was helpful. Your artistic sketches make it easier to visualize the process.

November 22, 2016 at 10:28 pm

I’m glad you found this one helpful, Ray. Happy Thanksgiving!

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 9:33 pm

Great post. Please keep them coming.

November 22, 2016 at 10:12 pm

Thank you, Bernice. I’m not planning to give up blogging anytime soon 🙂

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 9:05 pm

I love to tell stories and my readers love to read them. However, I will greatly benefit from this breakdown of HOW to tell a story, because sometimes, the flow is missing. Having a few easy-to-remember steps will make all the difference. Thanks so much! So glad for all you do! You are one of my special “thanks” for Thanksgiving, every year. <3

November 22, 2016 at 10:11 pm

You’re on my special “list” of loyal readers who regularly stop by. And I very much appreciate that. Happy Thanksgiving, Katharine!

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 8:01 pm

Yes, another awesome article. I was just thinking about my story the other day and was a little stumped, thank you so much for breaking it down to such simple steps. Now I should be able to move forward and create an my awesome story. Love, love your infographic and lettering. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.

That’s great to “hear,” Donna. I love helping people get unstuck. Happy storytelling!

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 6:37 pm

Hey Henneke,

Interesting post. I believe every business has a story as well, it’s just how to tell it — and if it’s successful or not. But even if it’s not successful yet, you can still be inspirational by telling your journey.

Great stuff here.

– Andrew

November 22, 2016 at 7:18 pm

Yep, that’s totally true—the story doesn’t need to be about success and doesn’t require bragging about sales growth and famous customers. A story can focus on a simple journey of how you want to solve your customer’s problem.

Well said, Andrew.

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 5:51 pm

Thank you for another gift of truly useful advice.

I’m wondering if you have suggestions for when the company story is, well, awkward. For instance, the company started with a wonderful spark 40+ years ago, then fell behind in the industry and is now struggling to claw its way back to relevance.

November 22, 2016 at 7:17 pm

You don’t have to write a complete story—just pick the elements you do want to share. Storytelling doesn’t need to be a year-by-year or event-by-event report, you can just share a few highlights to help explain the company’s mission today. You can start with the beginning (but you don’t have to). what problem did the company want to solve in the beginning? What insight sparked the idea to start a company? Is the company still solving the same problem? What’s changed in the way it solves it? What’s its mission today?

December 6, 2016 at 6:13 pm

I have to return and say thank you again for your advice. We’ve re-written our “History” and it feels much better to me. Not sure if our readers will agree, but I am happier!

December 6, 2016 at 6:36 pm

That’s great to hear. Thank you for stopping by to let me know, Susan. I appreciate it!

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 5:15 pm

Henneke: An awesome tale to help you tell your own tale. I have a million great stories like these, and some super funny ones too…for my first biz…but for my newer freelance writing…hmmmm:0! Better start thinking:) Love this one, and hope you have a jubilant weekend, Henneke! Sue-Ann

November 22, 2016 at 7:13 pm

I’m sure you can dream up a good story for your biz, Sue-Ann.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, too. Happy Thanksgiving!

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 4:31 pm

I love your infographic Henneke! Good that you put it at the bottom otherwise I would just spend time looking at it instead of reading the article first 🙂

November 22, 2016 at 7:12 pm

Haha! I hadn’t thought about it that way, I just saw it as a nice way to summarize the post at the end 😉

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 4:11 pm

Henneke, I just opened your email and read the business storytelling story. And my business story is sketched out on paper and with a little tweaking will be ready to upload to my About page on the website. You, my dear lady, are fantastic. As others have said, I also enjoy reading your very simple approach. Simple is contagious and beautiful. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. Should you not celebrate, begin a simple Thanksgiving celebration with a few special friends. Bob Jones

November 22, 2016 at 7:11 pm

Wow. That’s lovely to hear! Thank you so much, Bob. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 3:39 pm

Henneke! Your timing could not have been better! I created a page for this when I first started my website (one of the first webpages I ever built). Needless to say it really, really stinks. LOL. I’ve wanted to redo it ever since. In fact, I’ve started and erased a zillion times.

Those were very simple, and perfect suggestions. You’ve inspired me to make it a goal to have one perfected and done by the end of the week. Thank you SO much! =)

November 22, 2016 at 7:10 pm

What a lovely comment, Kim. Thank you.

I know the feeling of being stuck with writing something. Not knowing where to start and once you have something, not knowing what is wrong. This is exactly why I like simple “formulas” 🙂

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 3:37 pm

Henneke– I love how you transformed what is usually a painful soul-searching process into 4 simple steps. Any one can simply answer the questions. Yay! Happy marketing, Heidi Cohen Actionable Marketing Guide

November 22, 2016 at 7:09 pm

Thank you for your lovely comment, Heidi. I appreciate it. I love simplicity—if it’s not simple, I can’t teach it. 😉

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 3:29 pm

Henneke, your artistic drawings give so much flavor of your personality. I always know your blog will be a fun read when I see your illustrations. I appreciate your freedom to be yourself while imparting such rich business insights.

November 22, 2016 at 7:07 pm

Hi Deb, thank you for your lovely compliment.

It’s taken me quite a few years to accept that freedom and be myself 🙂

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 3:09 pm

I really enjoyed this post- especially the helpful framework to get to the essence of the story.

I’d love to hear your suggestions on when to use it for maximum impact? An About page? A more creative boilerplate?

November 22, 2016 at 7:06 pm

Yes, definitely—add it to your About page; and see whether you can re-use it (or parts of it) in other places, like an author bio and social media profiles. Or perhaps even at the start of a conference talk.

Thank you for stopping by, Edel. I appreciate it.

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 3:07 pm

Excellent post. Thanks Henneke.

November 22, 2016 at 7:04 pm

Thank you, Anita 🙂

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 2:51 pm

Clear and useful, as usual 🙂

Many thanks from a devoted fan who hasn’t been commenting a lot lately, for practical reasons, but who does continue to read and appreciate your posts – and who just wanted to let you know that 😉

What a lovely comment! Thank you, Bart. I appreciate it 🙂

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 2:36 pm

Wow! This really makes things easier. Thanks once again, Henneke!

The great thing about this is: If you follow these steps, you automatically have a UNIQUE business story. Because, well, it’s yours. And you can always expand the different “sections”. Start small and come back to it later. That’s what I call actionable. Great!

Thank you for breaking that seemingly overwhelming process down into these small, comprehensive steps.

PS: Love the hand-drawn infographic. 🙂

November 22, 2016 at 7:03 pm

Yes, that’s so true… each story is unique, as every story has unique details, even if the story structure is similar.

I also agree with you, you can expand the story later. For instance, add new problems you had to overcome.

Thank you for stopping by again, Christian. I appreciate it.

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 1:39 pm

Hi Henneke, I’m the biggest fan of simple. (Goes with my intellect I think). Having just 4 points to concentrate on makes this idea super simple. So many startup advisers are bleating on about elevator pitch. I can’t stand it. Your idea is so much better. Of course, it’s useful to know your purpose (all the pitch talks about), but having a cohesive story just seems much more genuine. Thanks for another fantastic, inspirational post

November 22, 2016 at 6:58 pm

The idea of an “elevator pitch” makes me shiver.

To appreciate simplicity, you must have a very smart brain 🙂

Thank you for your lovely comment, Kerstin!

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 12:51 pm

You sparked the desire for me to write up my Business Story. I never think of it as something interesting, but you changed my mind about it. I’ll try to have it done by the end of the week.

November 22, 2016 at 6:57 pm

Yay! That’s great to hear. Happy writing, Jean-Christophe! 🙂

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 12:25 pm

As usual, you take difficult issues and break them down into easy-to-do steps. I love your ability to break through the gobbledygook-filled jargon, that you find on other sites, down to the simple core.

I also have noticed that you’ve really been having a lot of fun with your drawing, they are getting much more rich in detail, vividness and complexity. Do you use old-school paper and pencil, or a tablet?

I am “Apple-allergic” but I may have to bite the bullet because I continually read the reviews that the iPad Pro is the best tablet for drawing and you’ve inspired me to also pursue my creative drawing muses.

Thanks again, Chuck

November 22, 2016 at 6:56 pm

I’m totally old-school. I have a sketchbook, ink, a nib, and colored pencils. In this case, for the lettering, I used a Promarker and a black Micron pen.

I used to think I’d first learn how to draw the old-fashioned way, and then I’d switch to using a tablet. However, I love my colored pencils so much, I don’t really feel like switching. I briefly tried the Fifty-Three stylus for iPad, but I didn’t persevere with it. I like the real feel of paper and pencils 🙂

Thank you for inspiring this blog post, Chuck!

writing company history

Love, love, love this. (And the hand lettering is fantastic, btw!)

The story at the start makes a great point. We often think the only way to stand out is through some extreme act of bravery, but a story that connects is, in many ways, far more powerful long-term. And the four points to create the story makes it very doable. Thanks Henneke! (Did I mention how much I love the graphic?) 😀

November 22, 2016 at 6:53 pm

Yeah, you know, that story surprised me, too. I started writing it and it was going somewhere else in my mind, and then at once, I saw the clue that bravery isn’t required. Funny how that can work for even such a super-short story, isn’t it?

And I agree, a simple story is surprisingly powerful, and we can just be ourselves—just pick the most important points.

Thank you for your lovely comment, Kathy!

writing company history

November 22, 2016 at 12:22 pm

Wow! You had my attention from ‘just 4 key points’! And then your craft beer example is a winner because it showcases such evocative language.

I’m off to audit the business story on my website according to ‘the Henneke method’.

Thank you ?.

And another awesome illustration – fantastic lettering ✏️

November 22, 2016 at 6:51 pm

I love the example of the craft beer as it’s so simple and yet so powerful.

Thank you for your lovely comment, Alison. I’ve enjoyed playing around with lettering! 🙂

writing company history

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How to Write Your Company History

Your business has a unique story to tell. Large or small. New or generational. Every business has a history to share. And more than ever, people are interested in hearing it. Writing your company history is an effective way to share insight with your potential and existing customers and employees.

Understand the Importance of Your History

In a world of endless options, it can be challenging to stand out to consumers. Especially as a small or new business, it can be difficult to keep up with larger competitors. The good news is you can use your company history as a tool to complete.

Connect With Your Customers

Consumers are interested in purchasing from businesses that align with their beliefs and values. Sharing your company history is a great way to connect with your audience and engage them to become brand loyalists. For example, share in your history if you built your brand on being inclusive, woman-owned, or sustainable.

Strengthen Your Brand

Your company history is a valuable part of your brand. Sharing the right details of your story strengthens your brand messaging. Psst! Don’t forget to share your history in your brand guidelines .

Showcase Your Expertise

Help your customers understand your journey! Even if you are a new business, you have expertise in the field of business you are opening. You can use your company history to share that expertise.

What Parts of Your Company History to Share

Don’t overshare and overwhelm the reader. Be strategic about the milestones you share and lean on your core values to determine what makes sense to share. A good company history will consider these aspects:

  • Why your company was established.
  • Values the company was founded on.
  • An overview or quote from the company president or founder.
  • Challenges the company has overcome.
  • Key events in the company’s existence (growth milestones or awards won).

Now, determine where to post your company history. The company history could be lengthier for some platforms, such as your website. You may have a character limit on others, like social media platforms or as part of a press release. Try to craft a story that matches the needs of each platform and its audience.

How to Share Your History

Keep your audience and platform in mind. Businesses often have many versions of their company history. However, all company histories should contain a similar story and messaging. When writing your company history, keep these platforms in mind:

  • Employee Handbook
  • Social Media Platforms
  • Annual Reports
  • Press Releases

For some platforms, such as your website, the company history could be lengthier. On others, like social media platforms or as part of a press release, you may have a character limit. It is important to determine where your company history will be shared, and craft a story that matches the needs of the platform and the audience that will view that platform.

Writing your own history will always be easier for you than it will be for an agency, no matter how good that agency is. However, we make an effort to truly become an extension of our customer’s businesses, getting to know the ins and outs of what makes them tick. This allows us to apply our marketing expertise when writing or proofing company messaging. If you need assistance telling your story, one of our experts is excited to help!

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Interested in working with Innereactive on an upcoming project? Complete the form below and a member of our team will reach out shortly to set up a meeting.

Heather Morrison Heather is the VP of Operations at Innereactive and we are lucky to have her. She has over five years of experience running an HR department and enjoys helping businesses like yours find solutions to their HR needs.

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FREE 7+ Sample Company History Templates in PDF | MS Word | PPT

Most entities put down their history to market themselves in their field. They know that investors thoroughly investigate a company’s history before committing to any relations. A well-written company’s history should include past events which have brought significant impacts to the enterprise over time. However, as the years go down, regular updates are necessary to trace the company’s footsteps. If you want to write your entity’s history, it is always wise to consider having a Company History Template. It reduces the task of coming up with one when writing your history. You can also see  History Timeline Template 

Company History Template

Sample company profile - 7+ documents in word, pdf, 25+ company profile sample, sample company profile sample – 7+ free documents in pdf ..., company history timeline template.

company history timeline template

Size: 538 KB

This business document has been specifically designed to help you to narrate your businesses’ past events. There are various examples of Company History Timeline Templates and they all vary by their design of conveying information. Examples of these templates include;

  • Image Timeline Templates – These models can have photos from the past events attached. It also requires that you state the year of the event and write a brief description of the events.
  • Timeline-arrow Templates – They have arrows which are progressive and convenient for illustrating a company’s growth over the years.
  • Project Timeline Templates – They have step-by- step grids which are efficient for displaying a company’s past operations.
  • Timeline-filmstrip Templates – Companies use these templates to attach videos of past events on them together with a short description.

Company History PowerPoint Template

company history powerpoint template

Size: 296 KB

This is a model which can contain more than ten slides that have various data presentation figures such as pie charts and bar graphs. The template is large because it has a timeline template incorporated into it. It favors companies significantly because they can effectively make presentations to their clients. The first slide of this model usually contains the name of the company as the title. Then, the second one starts off the presentation by giving necessary introductions such as the names of the founders of the enterprise, when the company started, and how the company came to exist. The next templates should list what the company does and where it conducts its operations. Since the document can be quite large, you can also consider acquiring another model for writing a brief history.

Company History Presentation Template

company history presentation template

Size: 11 MB

This type is usually short and concise. It has to have the company’s name as the heading followed by a subheading of their choosing. After that, it should state when the company was founded and give a short description of how or who founded it. Also, list the names of great employees who have worked for this company before and the dates they served the company. Then mention what the company does, how long it has been operational and the achievements it has made over its total operating period. Finally, name and describe the location of the business and perhaps its objectives.

company history template?

Size: 37 KB

Sample Company History Template

sample company history template?

Size: 114 KB

Simple Company History Template

simple company history template?

Size: 170 KB

Free Company History Template

free company history template?

Size: 209 KB

Basic Company History Template

basic company history template?

Size: 10 KB

How Will a Company History Template Help Me in My Business?

In particular business occasions, at times you want to show or mentor audiences present with your company’s history. You, therefore, need a history template to guide you in writing an enticing history of your business. It is possible even to publish a book from it to be handing out to guest in your business occasions. This not only markets you to investors but also earns respect for your company. You can also see  Salary History Template 

Is a Company History Template Similar to a Company Profile Template?

You should know that there is a reasonable gap between a company’s history and its profile. One may say that it is likely that required information for the two appears similar though put into consideration the objective of both documents. A history template focuses more on the birth of the enterprise while a profile model talks more about its current affairs.

What is the Importance of a Company History Template?

History is part of every company, and as the company continues to be in existent more history is being made. On that note; a company history templates is an ideal document to have for your company as it helps you keep information / roots about your company. This information can be used by people within that is the employees working currently on the organization to inform them more about the company. It can also be used as a marketing tool to the external world of investors and partners. Hence company history document creates the image for your company.

We design history templates to help you when putting content on your company’s website on the ‘about us’ page. Our models are efficient, affordable and readily available. Color your business’s history today through our Company History Templates (for any custom modifications, feel free to contact us so that we hook you up with experts from our team).

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How to Write A Company History: A Guide for Creating a Written History of Any Organization

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Charles Sanford

How to Write A Company History: A Guide for Creating a Written History of Any Organization Kindle Edition

  • Print length 131 pages
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  • Publication date July 6, 2014
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00LLKIP6Y
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 6, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 678 KB
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About the author

writing company history

Charles Sanford

I had been a freelance writer in Phoenix several years when I learned that the directors of a local medical center were looking for a writer qualified to document their history. If they hadn't known before, the selection committee could see from my proposal that I'd written extensively for clients well known to them: Arizona State University, Honeywell IAC, Rosarita, Information Technologies, Inc., Best Western, and many others. In addition I had been a volunteer at the hospital. I figured I was a shoo-in. Then I got the letter.

I was stunned. The contract had been awarded to a woman who lived 260 miles from Phoenix. A member of my writing group tried to soothe my disappointment by pointing out that the further away a specialist lives the more they become "an expert from afar." In addition to her distance from the center she had a record of writing excellent company histories.

I continued to write articles, audiovisual scripts, newsletters, news releases, you name it. Then, when I'd written almost every kind of document--except a book--I got a call from Heritage Publishers: "Would you be interested in writing the history of a Chicago hospital?"

Would I? Well . . . sure!

The little boy in me thought, In Chicago I'll be "Charles, the writer from afar," but secretly I had some anxiety. Good grief, a book! Where do I start? What's the most logical approach to writing a company history? The few guidelines I found were skimpy.

As it turned out the folks at the hospital were very pleased with the book I wrote. As a bonus it won the Silver Trumpet Award from the Publicity Club of Chicago.

While writing the histories of more organizations I thought a lot about the process and kept detailed notes for future reference. Those records are now part of the framework for "How to Write a Company History." The book also tells writers how to take advantage of this niche market, this path to significant income.

Full of suggested questions for interviewees, checklists, tips, procedures, and real-life experiences, it's much more than a summary of advice that a writer can find online. It tells how to get these contracts, what to charge. It explores the role of the organization's spokesperson.

The recommendations in this book are applicable to any company or corporation as well as any association; institution; school; hospital; academy; college or university; civic group; club; any city, county, state or department of government (even an arboretum, museum, aquarium or zoo).

Find Charles at sanfordwriting.com

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writing company history

15 Reasons You Should Write a Company History Book

Home » Blog » 15 Reasons You Should Write a Company History Book

writing company history

15 REASONS YOU SHOULD WRITE A COMPANY HISTORY BOOK

Amazon, Facebook, McDonald’s, and Starbucks — all well-loved and groundbreaking brands that have one thing in common: They all published a company history book . Corporate greats such as these used books to tell tales of their venture’s humble beginnings and eventual rise to greatness.

But why write a company history book? Why go through the additional expense and effort of sifting through your business history to share with the public?

As you might have guessed, there’s much to gain. In this article, we share with you 15 compelling reasons why you should consider coming up with your own company history book.

Before we get started, let’s review why your company’s history is valuable.

Why Is a Company’s History Valuable?

Trust is an essential component in any business relationship. When customers are looking to place their trust in a company, they ultimately choose one that demonstrates commitment and honesty.

writing company history

Your company's history is your most valuable asset in earning this trust.

Changes in leadership, and iterations to your products, services, operations, and marketing strategies speak of reliability that can help cement your brand, not just in people’s minds but hearts as well.

Telling your story is also an opportunity to share your brand’s values. You can share how you stayed true to your values in the beginning and during hard times. It can be a powerful testimony of your commitment and resilience.

After all, a company that has remained faithful to its values through the years is attractive in today’s authenticity-driven world and invites more business.

Lastly, your company history is a great way to build lasting value for your company. Instead of having a one-and-done transactional relationship with your clients, sharing where you came from and what it took to get there helps your stakeholders remember you, even after their business with you is concluded.

Combined with great products or services, your company history is a powerful way to leave your audience with a lasting impression of your company, values, and reliability.

We’ve established why company history is essential, but why should you use a company history to share it? Take a look at these 15 reasons for writing a company history book.

15 Reasons Why You Should Consider Writing a Company History Book

When people look at your company, does it inspire loyalty and trust? Does your brand seem relatable, credible, and relevant to the public?

It can be tough to become associated with these qualities, but a company history book can be an excellent way to accomplish this.

If your company has some history to it, here’s why you should consider getting it all down on paper and sharing it with the public.

#1. To Understand the Values of Your Company

Who would you rather do business with — a company whose values you understand or one you know little about? If you chose the former, you’re not alone. According to a 2020 report published by 5W, 71 percent of customers prefer purchasing from brands whose values resonate with theirs. That number is even higher for millennials, at 83 percent.

Core values are a great way to show customers what you stand for. Company history books help educate them and make it easier to associate themselves with your cause, earning greater loyalty!

People who know exactly why they do business with you can help spread the word about your business. They’ll readily share why they’ve chosen to transact with you out of all the competition.

writing company history

#2. To Establish an Original Vision for the Future

writing company history

Having a written history of your company makes it easier to foresee and chart its future.

When history shows where you came from, the path forward becomes clearer. A clear vision can anchor executives and employees into helping you achieve your vision.

#3. To Identify Areas of Improvement in the Workplace

Knowing your company’s weaknesses will help it grow.

A company history book can help you identify past stumbling blocks and address them more effectively.

Whether your challenges lie in branding, improving customer experience, better market research, or getting better results from your teams, company history books can help pinpoint your weaknesses and identify areas for growth.

writing company history

#4. To Provide a Roadmap for Your Organization’s Success

What successes has your company achieved? What were the major challenges and milestones that led to it? How did you overcome them? All this and more can be documented in your company history book.

writing company history

Chapters about your organization’s road to success can be opportunities for employees and executives to reflect on its achievements.

Through reflection, they can identify behaviors and values that led the company to achieve its goals and set it up for even greater victories.

#5. To Commemorate Major Company Events

Do you have a major event coming up? Perhaps it’s your company’s 50th year in business. Maybe you’re about to close your 1,000th deal, or perhaps you’re about to hire your 100th employee.

Whatever the occasion, releasing a company history book can give your celebration a sense of occasion and history in a way that branded souvenirs and other corporate giveaways can’t.

It’s also a distinctive way for a company to stand out among competitors. After all, what could be more unique and personal than your own history?

writing company history

#6. To Track Progress in Your Business

As a company, you have many ways to track your progress, from annual reports, financials, weekly progress reports, and a wide range of metrics. When you have all these in your arsenal, why would you want to add a company history book to the mix?

writing company history

Figures, charts, and metrics are only one side of the equation. Despite our dependency on numbers, we can’t ignore the importance of knowing the story behind them.

Numbers might be impressive and can keep us in check in terms of budgets and targets, but history inspires people.

It fuels passion and motivation. It gives them a reason to latch onto those numbers and shoot for them.

The next time you want to get a better sense of where you are today and what you need to do next, don’t just look at the numbers. Consider the history of your company and the people, changes, and milestones that got you to where you are today. Company history books give us a unique perspective that numbers simply can’t provide.

#7. To Build Credibility

Credibility is key to any business. A study shows that 93% of customers check reviews before they purchase goods or services from an online provider, and this number is only expected to grow.

In an era where most things are done online, business can get impersonal. Brands can be harder to trust.

A company history book can be a great way to establish yourself as an expert in your niche, show that you value customer relationships, and demonstrate that you’ve been in business for a long time.

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Of course, you’ll have to make sure that the publication you release highlights these qualities. Many companies hoping to build their reputations hire a ghostwriter or a company historian to chronicle their history.

#8. To Inspire Other Brands

How would you like to set benchmarks in the industry the way Starbucks, Amazon, Facebook, and McDonald’s have? While it sounds like a monumental goal, a company history book with inspiring stories and achievements is a step in the right direction.

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Your company’s history can include inspiring stories about unique and successful marketing tactics you’ve employed, a different approach to customer service, innovative ways you responded to people’s pain points, and more.

When written and executed the right way, a company history book can showcase your greatest accomplishments.

It can serve as a precedent for others in your industry or even for businesses in general.

#9. To Build a Brand People Love

Think of three brands you like and support.

It could be because they make great products, you respond to their brand values, or you like how they market themselves.

Most likely, it’s a combination of all three.

Well-loved brands are experts at bringing these three aspects together and turning them into brand love.

Ultimately, a company history book can engender love and loyalty for your brand.

Since a company history book will undoubtedly talk about your company’s product, values, beliefs, and strategies, it’s an excellent way to build a following and rally support.

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#10. To Engage Customers and Improve Sales

If a company history book can help inspire other businesses, why not your own customers? Tell the story of how you came up with your bestselling product, why you chose to market it a certain way, or why you designed it that way.

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You can also share stories of inspiring leaders who left an indelible mark on the company and changed it for the better. Share business struggles and how you overcame them.

After several years of operation, your business will undoubtedly have a wealth of insights and interesting stories to tell.

This behind-the-scenes look can help create more engaged customers and ultimately improve sales. With a company history book, you’ll improve your chances of closing a sale even before they reach your website or visit your store.

#11. To Throw Light on Defeats and Hardships Faced

You can’t make history without having your share of failures. To read about companies that have been around for decades and even centuries is to read stories of meltdowns and problems that almost led them to close down. Some companies actually shut down, only to re-open stronger than ever .

In 1997, Apple was losing millions of dollars each quarter and was close to bankruptcy. If competitor Microsoft hadn’t swooped in with $150 million, we might not be enjoying today's i-products.

Another example is Marvel Comics. Plagued by corporate intrigue, questionable investments, and financial woes, it ended up filing for bankruptcy in 1996.

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Slowly, the company re-emerged and became a multi-billion-dollar earner as it shifted its focus to the big screen.

Companies that faced and conquered problems seem more authentic and relatable. Instead of hiding hardships, use your company history book to highlight how you faced the impossible and went on to succeed anyway.

#12. To Acknowledge People Who Have Made a Difference in the Company

What would Tesla be without Elon Musk or Berkshire Hathaway without Warren Buffett? A company history book is a great way to pay tribute to your own Elons and Warrens.

writing company history

Though it can seem like an overblown way to say thank you, it’s not without benefit to your own company.

You can’t shine a light on the people who have made a tremendous difference to your business without ultimately telling the world how great the company they work for has become.

#13. To Gain and Retain Customer Trust

A company history book can help you gain and retain customer trust.

Shady, fly-by-night businesses won’t go through the trouble of publishing their own volumes. It’s a unique opportunity that only well-established, credible, and time-tested companies have.

#14. To Remember Important Life Lessons Learned From the Past

writing company history

A great way to avoid repeating mistakes from the past is to remember them. Company history books are great opportunities to take stock of what went down and what to avoid in the future.

Whether you’re contemplating changes in daily operations, organizational structure, or marketing decisions, you can take a few pages from your history book to validate if it is indeed the right move.

#15. To Celebrate Your Journey

You wouldn’t be thinking of coming up with your own company history book if your company didn’t succeed. Most likely, it was a journey full of problems, issues, and even downfalls, yet you emerged from it victorious.

That is a journey worth celebrating, and there is no better way to do it than with a company history book.

writing company history

Time to Get Started!

There you go — 15 reasons you should have a company history book. As you can see, it’s more than just another coffee-table book. It documents your journey, evolution, and success as a business. It also has loads of benefits for customers, management, employees, investors, and the company itself.

Since it’s an important account of your organization’s history, you should hire someone with the right skill set to write it for you. Your writer-historian should be able to do research, interview key executives and leaders, and present the information well.

At the end of the day, people should be able to easily see what made and continues to make your brand great.

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Taylor Swift Honors Country Music Star Toby Keith in Resurfaced Clip

I n the aftermath of country music star Toby Keith’s passing , a video has resurfaced on the internet of a young Taylor Swift praising Keith in 2005.

Keith was a major figure in Swift’s early years. He helped found the “Cruel Summer” singer’s first record label, Big Machine, along with Scott Borchetta, but left six months later to focus on his own label, Show Dog Nashville. 

In an interview with local news station WSMV 4 Nashville, a 15-year-old Swift said of Keith: “You’re in the room with him and you can feel it. There’s a power there and you’re just like, 'Oh my God.' I don’t think I’ll ever get to a point where I won’t see him and be like, ‘Oh my God, that’s Toby Keith.’”

Some music fans were surprised to find that Keith played such an integral role in Swift’s early career. “I had no idea Toby Keith gave Taylor Swift her start,” one social media user posted on X (formerly Twitter.)

I had no idea Toby Keith gave Taylor Swift her start. I don’t know what to do with this information. pic.twitter.com/qMzVPU1jLy — Travis J Davidson (@TravisSkol) February 7, 2024

Swift has yet to publicly react to the news of Keith’s death, who passed away from stomach cancer on Monday. The two country music singers had very different political views, with Keith being most well known for his post-9/11 song “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” The song was often used to express support for the war in Iraq.

Swift, on the other hand, has publicly expressed support for multiple Democratic candidates and denounced Donald Trump . 

Keith was also known for his vocal denunciation of The Chicks (previously known as the Dixie Chicks) after one of their singers, Natalie Maines, told a crowd she was ashamed of then president George W. Bush for his actions regarding the war in Iraq. 

Keith responded by photoshopping a picture of Maines next to Saddam Hussein, and performing with that photo as a backdrop during his concerts. 

While she didn’t call out Keith specifically, Swift has cited the backlash to Maines as a pivotal moment in her political consciousness in her 2020 Netflix documentary, Miss Americana. 

“Throughout my whole career, label executives and publishers would say, ‘don’t be like the Dixie Chicks,’” Swift said. 

Swift also had a well publicized falling out with the record label Keith helped found after its other co-founder, Scott Borchetta, sold the label to Scooter Braun, transferring the ownership of her first six albums to Braun. 

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A Timeline of Toby Keith’s Biggest Songs and Career Moments

The singer-songwriter was known for anthems, and political stances, that alternated between confrontation and big-tent populism.

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A man in denim jacket with a blue bandanna tied around his neck strums a white guitar while singing into a microphone. He is awash in red light.

By Hank Shteamer

Toby Keith first drew recognition beyond country music as the artist behind the divisive post-9/11 rallying cry “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).” But the singer-songwriter, who died Monday at the age of 62 after a battle with stomach cancer, appeared to view himself as a unifying force. “As far extreme as I seem,” he said in 2003 , “I’m probably catching the average Joe in the middle better than anybody.”

Keith topped the country chart 20 times with a catalog of sturdily built anthems including those that romanticized the cowboy’s life and traded on the big-tent appeal of a favorite bar and the charms of drinking beer out of a “Red Solo Cup.” His robust voice was just as adept at conveying rueful heartache as it was at carrying riled-up swagger, and his surprisingly shaded political stances showed a similar range and savvy. Here’s a look back at some of his biggest hits and most prominent moments during a three-decade career.

‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’

Keith topped the U.S. country chart with his debut single, in which he longed for a life spent “wearing my six-shooter, riding my pony on a cattle drive,” and tipped his Stetson hat to legendary screen cowboys like Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon of “Gunsmoke.” But the song was hardly the first rodeo for Keith, who had spent years playing the honky-tonk circuit in and around his native Oklahoma after high school. The 6-foot-4 musician also worked at an oil field — an experience that, he later reflected , “made a man out of me” — and played semipro football. He would come to view his winding path to success as a blessing.

“If I’d come out of the box with my first No. 1 hit at 21, instead of when I was 29, I probably wouldn’t have appreciated it because I wasn’t mature enough then,” he said in 2012 .

‘How Do You Like Me Now?!’

After Keith’s then-label Mercury rejected his sixth album two separate times, he bought it back and sold it to DreamWorks. The company chose the somber “When Love Fades” as the first single, but the song foundered. Keith stepped in and suggested an alternative: the album’s defiant title track, a bold rejoinder to the girl who wouldn’t give him the time of day in high school. The song became his fourth country No. 1 and showed him the value of trusting his own instincts. “I said, ‘Man, you guys aren’t giving me a chance to fire my biggest missile,’” he later said of pushing for the swap. “So they pulled the single in five days, put out ‘How Do You Like Me Now?!’ and my career exploded.”

‘Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)’

In the days after Sept. 11, Keith wrote this tough-talking battle cry of vengeance, American-style, in a sudden burst just one week after the attacks. The lyrics levied numerous threats against the perpetrators, none as indelible as Keith’s promise, backed by a solo-acoustic hush that is punctuated by a fiery full-band kick-in, that “you’ll be sorry you messed with the U.S. of A. / ‘Cause we’ll put a boot in your ass, it’s the American way.”

Keith originally envisioned the song as one he would perform exclusively for U.S.O. tours, but said he was swayed on a visit to the Pentagon when Gen. James L. Jones told him, “You have to release it. You can serve your country in other ways besides suiting up in combat.” In a time when many were denouncing George W. Bush’s war on terror, Keith was criticized for the song’s unapologetic jingoism, notably by Peter Jennings, who barred Keith from performing it on an ABC Fourth of July special. Keith retread the territory on the follow-ups “ American Soldier ” and “ The Taliban Song .”

Feud with the Dixie Chicks

Keith’s anthem also drew the ire of the singer Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks (now the Chicks), who slammed it in a 2002 interview. “It’s ignorant, and it makes country music sound ignorant,” she said. “It targets an entire culture and not just the bad people who did bad things.”

Keith responded at his concerts by projecting a doctored image of Maines cozying up to Saddam Hussein. Maines clapped back by wearing a shirt featuring the initials “F.U.T.K.” to the 2003 ACM Awards. (At first she claimed the shirt wasn’t a dig at the “Angry American” singer, but in a 2006 documentary, admitted that it was. Keith eventually backed down, saying he was “embarrassed about the way I let myself get sucked into all of that.”

‘As Good as I Once Was’

Keith topped the country chart again with this playful romp about the hard truths of aging — when it comes to romance, bar fights or all-purpose hell-raising — and the battle between humility and hubris. Inspired by a line that Keith’s friend and co-writer Scotty Emerick heard Burt Reynolds say, one which Keith’s father also favored (“I ain’t as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was”), the song offered a look at the star’s self-deprecating charm.

It would earn Keith his longest stay at the top of the country chart: six weeks, tied with “Beer for My Horses.” Shortly after the single’s release, Keith got in early on the trend of country singers opening bars when he launched his chain of I Love This Bar & Grill locations (riffing on an earlier hit: “I Love This Bar” ).

Supporting Barack Obama

Keith was never easy to pin down politically. Though his call for post-9/11 retribution seemed to peg him as right-leaning, he would later call himself a “lifetime Democrat,” who valued patriotism above all. In 2008, he spoke favorably about Barack Obama, praising the then-candidate’s trip to Afghanistan. “I think he’s the best Democratic candidate we’ve had since Bill Clinton,” Keith said. “And that’s coming from a Democrat.”

Performing as Part of Donald Trump’s Inauguration

President Donald Trump had a tough time booking performers for his 2017 inauguration, but Keith showed up at a preconcert, playing “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” and dedicating the number to his father, who, as he sings early in the song, lost an eye while serving in the Army. Responding to the criticism around the performance, Keith said in a statement that “I don’t apologize for performing for our country or military. I performed at events for previous presidents Bush and Obama and over 200 shows in Iraq and Afghanistan for the U.S.O.” Speaking to The Atlantic, he said, more pointedly , that if “the president of the frickin’ United States asks you to do something and you can go, you should go.”

Cancer Diagnosis and Final Performances

Keith first shared the news of his stomach cancer diagnosis in a June 2022 post on Instagram, reporting that he had already been receiving “chemo, radiation and surgery” for six months. After the release of his 19th, and final, studio album “Peso in My Pocket” (2021), Keith returned to the stage last year, playing two shows at Hollywood Corners, a former ’20s-era roadhouse in Norman, Okla., that he owned. He topped the country digital sales chart in October 2023 after an emotive performance of “Don’t Let the Old Man In” at the People’s Choice Country Awards.

Last December, he made his last live appearances during a three-night stint at the Park MGM in Las Vegas, and in January he opened up about the ordeal of his cancer battle. “It’s a lot of dark hallways,” Keith said .

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  1. FREE 7+ Sample Company History Templates in PDF

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  2. FREE 7+ Sample Company History Templates in PDF

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COMMENTS

  1. Make Sure Your Company History Includes These Four Things

    How to write a company history Follow these six steps to write a compelling company history that accurately and informatively describes your business. 1. Read other company histories. Get inspired by seeing how other companies have recounted their background.

  2. How to Write Your Company History (With Examples)

    How to Write Your Company History (With Examples) Whether you're in the early stages of a startup or have been in business for decades, you have a unique advantage: your company history. At first, the story of how your business evolved may seem trivial, but when it's well told, it can give your marketing plans and growth strategies a lift.

  3. How to Write Your Business Origin Story

    Your business's origin story might include the who, what, where, when and how of your business's beginnings. The most memorable origin stories focus on the 'why' of how the company came to be. [Read: 7 Steps to Building a More Resilient Business] A message from Seamlessly hire and pay employees and contractors Growing your business?

  4. Company History: 7 Steps to a Compelling Narrative

    Your company history is a narrative recreation of the events that shaped the organization's values and characteristics. From its foundation to the current state of the organization, your company history should include key events and milestones throughout its existence.

  5. How to Write a Business History

    Writing a company history is an effective way to tell investors, prospects and employees how your company got to where you are today. When writing a business history, be sure to keep your audience in mind. Don't overshare too many details and overwhelm the reader. Instead, craft a narrative about your history's pivotal details.

  6. The Company Background Portion of a Business Plan

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  12. Writing business history: Creating narratives

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    1. Brand Storytelling Writing in Forbes in January 2019, Celinne Da Costa declared brand storytelling "the future of marketing." In this overly digitalized world, showing a company's human side is crucial to its success and longevity. As Da Costa puts it, nowadays, "humanity is becoming the new premium."

  14. How to Write The Company History

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  16. 7 Best Practices for Creating a Memorable Company History Book

    7 Best Practices for Writing a Company History Book. 1. Look for inspiration in other companies. A great first step for starting the journey of creating a company history is to look for inspiration in other corporations. Many business giants have recorded their enterprise's narrative using a variety of approaches.

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    CELEBRATE YOUR HISTORY. Having a company history written is the perfect way to capture those stories while they are still fresh in people's minds . It's like recording Grandma's stories while she's still with us: a time capsule that will provide worthwhile memories for generations to come. Anniversaries are the perfect time to do this.

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  19. Craft an Inspirational Business Story (Template + Examples)

    An example of a powerful small business story. Business stories come in different shapes and sizes. How Jobs and Wozniak built their first computer in a garage. How Ben and Jerry started their first ice cream shop in a renovated gas station (after a $5 correspondence course). How Disney started as a cartoon studio in the 1920s, and now produces ...

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    Writing your company history is an effective way to share insight with your potential and existing customers and employees. Understand the Importance of Your History. In a world of endless options, it can be challenging to stand out to consumers. Especially as a small or new business, it can be difficult to keep up with larger competitors.

  21. FREE 7+ Sample Company History Templates in PDF

    A well-written company's history should include past events which have brought significant impacts to the enterprise over time. However, as the years go down, regular updates are necessary to trace the company's footsteps. If you want to write your entity's history, it is always wise to consider having a Company History Template.

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    04 Jan 2022 15 REASONS YOU SHOULD WRITE A COMPANY HISTORY BOOK Amazon, Facebook, McDonald's, and Starbucks — all well-loved and groundbreaking brands that have one thing in common: They all published a company history book. Corporate greats such as these used books to tell tales of their venture's humble beginnings and eventual rise to greatness.

  25. Taylor Swift and Toby Keith's History, Explained

    In the aftermath of country music star Toby Keith's passing, a video has resurfaced on the internet of a young Taylor Swift praising Keith in 2005. Keith was a major figure in Swift's early ...

  26. A Timeline of Toby Keith's Biggest Songs and Career Moments

    Keith topped the U.S. country chart with his debut single, in which he longed for a life spent "wearing my six-shooter, riding my pony on a cattle drive," and tipped his Stetson hat to ...

  27. Anti Reset (2024) Full online with English subtitle for free

    Watch the latest Taiwanese Drama Anti Reset (2024) Full online with English subtitle for free on iQIYI | iQ.com. Chu Yiping, a university professor indifferent to everything, receives care from the artificial intelligence robot Heng-9 developed by his uncle's company after he dislocates his hand. Heng-9 accompanies him to buy groceries and arrange household affairs.