Okay, one neat thing I've come across:
Kongo Gumi also boasted some internal positives that enabled it to survive for centuries. Its last president, Masakazu Kongo, was the 40th member of the family to lead the company. He has cited the company's flexibility in selecting leaders as a key factor in its longevity. Specifically, rather than always handing reins to the oldest son, Kongo Gumi chose the son who best exhibited the health, responsibility, and talent for the job. Furthermore, it wasn't always a son. The 38th Kongo to lead the company was Masakazu's grandmother.
Via kisrael.com [1], “The End of a 1,400-Year-Old Business [2]”
And to think, this company has been around as long as some religions …
[1] http://kisrael.com/viewblog.cgi?date=2007.04.18
[2] http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/apr2007/sb20070416_589621.