This year is a throwaway anniversary for Hoshi Ryokan. The Japanese innkeeper fluffed its first pillow in 718, meaning 2011 marks its 1,293rd year in continuous operation. Not a very round number and so no big deal, except for the fact that Hoshi Ryokan is the world’s oldest continuously operating business, according to Family Business magazine. When you’re in such exclusive company, every day above ground is a good one.
I’m not here to talk about Hoshi Ryokan, however. That’s because, for me, the more interesting story belongs to Kongo Gumi, another Japanese firm that formerly held the position as world’s oldest business. Kongo Gumi built its first temple in 578, so it would have celebrated 1,433 years in operation this year.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Lessons From the World’s Formerly Oldest Business | BNET
Author: Mark Henricks
