Milton Hershey, the founder of Hershey Chocolate, had a couple of failed attempts at business before he founded and built an empire of Hershey Chocolate. If the story of Milton Hershey ended there, Hershey would have been seen as a success and an inspiration to many. However, there is much more to Milton Hershey than just a successful business, because Milton Hershey was a man who cared about his employees and his communities.
Started in 1886, Hershey had success in making and selling cocoa, syrup and chocolate. Because he knew that happy employees were key to his success long before Disney or Google became famous for taking care of employees, Hershey built a community with housing, schools and parks to look after his workers between the years 1903-05.
In 1909 he opened a school for orphaned boys to give them opportunities similar to more advantaged children. However, the deciding difference that Hershey made in many people’s lives was during the great depression.
Between 1929 and 1939, the stock market crashed, jobs were hard to come by and men travelled the country on the tops of trains to find even a week’s work in order to support their families. Hershey decided that he needed to help people through the crisis and started building.
He is quoted as saying “There are 600 men here who need jobs. If I don’t give them work, I will have to feed them” and he did. He built hotels, golf courses and skating rinks in his community. At one point when he saw two excavators on site, he asked the foreman what was going on. The man proudly announced that this latest technology was going to save time and money because it can do the work of 40 men. Hershey was dismayed and demanded that the excavators be removed so that they could put 80 men back to work.
So, what can we do as business leaders in this time of economic crisis that will make a difference? The obvious achievement would be to put people to work, so we need to do that if we can. Before you lay people off, think about all those jobs you have been putting off for weeks, months and years. Why not try to get them done now during this quiet time?
Invest in your future. Hershey came out of the depression much better than he went into it because of his investments in people and assets. Use your money wisely to develop your teams, your marketing, and your sales and service materials. Once the economy is rolling again, you will have an advantage on your competition who have been complacent and waiting for handouts.
Think about supporting other business owners who aren’t as fortunate as you are. The Professional Business Coaches Association of Canada has offered their services to help other business owners who are affected economically by the Covid 19 Crisis. What could you do that might benefit other business owners and keep people working?
Many businesses are struggling right now. Can you order in from a local small restaurant? Think about what purchases you can have delivered to your home or office from a local business. Use your wisdom to share ideas that will improve your business community or give moral support to those around you.
Hershey stepped up when times were tough and made a difference in the lives and families of the people he hired and businesses he supported. Yes, he made money during the depression from his economic activities but even in death he was generous, creating a foundation to continue his work. What can you do now that will make a difference for your employees and for the community at large?
- Dave Fuller, MBA, is an award-winning business coach and the author of the book Profit Yourself Healthy. Need business support at this time? Book a Free Covid-19 session with Dave by going to the PBCA website www.pbcacanada.com.
