16 Business Lessons from the World’s Oldest Brands [Infographic]

The fountain of youth.

Whether they’re going through their quarter-life crisis or their mid, it seems like everyone is looking for it. Youth is fleeting; a limited-time offer, if you will, and we’ll all try to squeeze a few more drops out of it at some point, but when you stop and think about it -- why?

Youth may seem new and exciting at first, but as any teenager, college student, or twenty-something entrepreneur will tell you, it is also often a time of confusion and instability.

With age, comes experience, respect, and knowledge -- especially in the world of business and branding. So, let’s embrace it!

Just like a young graduate on the job market, young businesses and brands can learn a lot from those that came before them.

In the infographic below, Unum, one of the UK’s leading financial protection insurers, takes this advice to heart, sharing “secrets to a long life” from some of the world’s oldest brands.

Starting with the oldest, the infographic illustrates the following lessons from Cambridge University Press, Bushmills, Barclays, Coutts, Twinnings, Moet & Chandon, Sotheby’s, Caswell-Massey, Jim Beam, Colgate, Citi, AXA, Cadbury, Macy’s, Hermes, and Dr. Pepper:

1. Reputation is Everything: For over 480 years, Cambridge University Press has been known for publishing esteemed scholarly works.
2. Be the Best: Bushmills has been winning critical acclaim and international awards since the 1889 Paris Expo.
3. Change with the Times: Barclay’s has been brand of many firsts; including launching the first credit card in the UK and the world’s first cash machine.
4. Have Traditional Values and Professionalism: Since its inception, Coutts has built an environment of learning and professional development, hoping to better not only itself, but its employees individually.
5. Focus on Quality: Twinnings’ quality is so high, Queen Victoria awarded it a Royal Warrant for its tea in 1837.
6. Have a Pioneering Spirit: Moet & Chandon helped bring champagne into the mainstream limelight and make it the staple of celebration it is today.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Expand: Sotheby’s is the first international auction house with salesrooms in London, Paris, New York, and Hong Kong.
8. Have Integrity: The Caswell-Massey brand has seen many well-respected buyers in the past 200 years, including American presidents Washington, Eisenhower, and JFK.
9. Stay Focused: Jim Beam’s Master Distiller, Fred Noe, credits the company’s success to focusing on goal.
10. Emphasize Teamwork: Colgate believes in the power of a diverse workforce.
11. Create Trust: Since its creation 1812, Citibank has prided itself on earning its public’s trust and keeping their interests always top-of-mind.
12. Focus on the Customer: AXA is dedicated to teaching their employees how to best serve their customers.
13. Be Recognizable: Cadbury’s iconic purple wrapper and script typeface has been with the company since 1920 and 1921 respectively. .
14. Become Part of the Community: Macy’s has secured its position as a vital member of the New York City community sponsoring both the Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Fourth of July fireworks.
15. Be Available: Recognizing the desirability of their name, Hermes offers products at a range of lower prices making them attainable to a wider market.
16. Be Unique: From its branding to its “secret” 23 flavor formula, Dr. Pepper is unlike any other soda on the market.

Check out the full infographic below!