The Art of Quality What Can the World’s Oldest Companies Teach Us About Longevity? Notes from the Field with Eric Markowitz Part 2
Dec 19, 2025
Eric Markowitz, a partner at Nightview Capital and former investigative journalist, dives into his intriguing research on the world's oldest companies and their secrets to longevity. He emphasizes the importance of practical work over mere ideas, critiquing modern management theories that neglect sustainable practices. Drawing insights from traditions in watchmaking and craftsmanship, Eric discusses how enduring companies prioritize human connection and financial prudence. He explores the balance between innovation and tradition, offering valuable lessons for lasting success.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Endurance Over Hypergrowth
- Studying the world's oldest companies reveals a different management logic than Silicon Valley's growth-at-all-costs model.
- These firms prioritize endurance, community value, and craftsmanship over short-term scaling metrics.
Tea Caddy Shop As Meditation
- At Kakaido, a tea caddy shop in Japan, a craftsman spends a 10-year apprenticeship hammering perfect tea canisters.
- He described the work as meditation and the shop has survived nearly 200 years by valuing mastery over scale.
Go Down Into The Work
- Many enduring firms value going deeper into the work rather than climbing corporate ladders to the top.
- The most valued people are those who master the craft, not merely capital allocators.
