For whom the bell tolls: lessons in business longevity

This article highlights the lessons that can be learned in longevity from the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London's oldest manufacturing company.

For whom the bell tolls: lessons in business longevity

John SimmonsDark Angels

John Simmons, founding partner of Dark Angels, tells the story of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, a 447-year-old business and London's oldest manufacturing company. What lessons can be learned on endurance from this established business?

I ring. The woman at the other end of the telephone asks me: "Which parish are you?"

This tells me much that I need to know about the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. I know that it was established in 1570 and has been making bells ever since. In fact, its real history goes...

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