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207 weeks ago
Personal memoirs for business people
Given my long involvement in business storytelling and histories in Australia,over 30 years now, I've interviewed and worked with over 900 business leaders
and professionals from ASX-listed companies and private family businesses.
Over the pasrt five years I've worked with a number of business leaders and professionals on their own memoirs, most of which combine their
family history with their own story, business history and community involvement.
These memoirs typically involve a very small print run for family, close friends and colleagues. They are very private projects therefore trust and
discretion are paramount. This said, I always advise my clients that once something is in print, no matter how small the print run, there is always
the possibility that the memoir will circulate beyond the wider small circle it was shared with.
So how do you know who to work with if you're considering your memoir project?
Here's my top 5 tips.
1. Work with someone you have been referred to.
Memoirs by their very nature are highly personal and private. You need to
work with someone who is discrete and trustworthy. If you can't locate someone by
referral ask potential advisers for a referral. If they can't provide them that's a
warning sign.
2. Understand just who you are writing your memoir for and keep them
in mind while you're writing it.
in mind while you're writing it.
Most business leaders and professionals write their memoirs for
both their family and their close professional network. You might choose
one or the other. Make sure you are clear about who you are writing for as this
will help you work out what to put in and what to leave out.
It will also help you work out how many copies of your memoir you want/need and
who you are going to present it to.
3. Collate and use photos, documents, letters, notes, speeches, presentations etc.
If you have a lot of additional documents they can always go in an Appendix in the back,
or a separate document/online.
If you have a lot of additional documents they can always go in an Appendix in the back,
or a separate document/online.
4. Include a family tree (or two or three).
Whether you're writing for family along, or family, colleagues and friends
is extremely useful to include a family tree (or perhaps even an organisation chart
or two) so that the readers who are probably unfamilar with various parts of
your life can easily work out who is who,
5. Think about how you would like your memoir published.
There are a wide range of options how availbale to create, preserve and share
your memoir, from Apps, online resources, self-publishing options and, of course,
specialists like me. Whatever your choice, check the fine print (espeically of
online, self-publishing offers). I've had to extract several people from onerous
contracts where they were enticed in by low entry-level pricing.
The joy of writing and publishing a memoir
It's a real priveledge to work with such committed, interesting and deeply
knowledgeable people. All have operated in business for over 50-60 years
and this provides them with unique insight into the growth and development
of their companies and indsutry as well as Australia.
It's also a fasincating journey for many as they delve into their family history, for
some it's not something they've ever done before. More often than not there are
a few surprises or at least a reassessment of events, occurances, challenges.
Writing your memoirs is a deeply satsifying process and it enables the author to
share their thoughts, insights and learnings with future generations.
I am often asked whether I think writing and publishing a memoir is a good idea?
Absoutely, is my response.
I remember sitting down with my father when I was in my mid-30s and asking him
to tell me about his life. I first asked him why he had never shared much about his life with
my siblings or me. His response: 'No-one ever asked so I didn't think anyone was interested.'
So, don't wait to be asked, think about starting your memoirs in 2021.
After all, if you don't tell your story, who can?
Email me at jaqui@globalstories.com.au if you'd like to start the journey.
