With the recent launch of Facebook’s Timeline for Pages, businesses are scrambling to figure out how to make the most of the new look and function. As always there are those complaining about change rather than embracing evolution. This new format can easily be seen as one of the greatest story telling devices businesses have ever been able to get their hands on.

Timeline essentially transitions away from the idea that each post is an individual event or message directed at a specific audience. Now each post/update/milestone is a small piece in the much larger story of your business. We are now able to look back to the humble beginnings of companies like GE, Walmart, and Ford Motor Company.

It isn’t hard to catch the vision of what Timeline will be able to do for businesses. There are already a few brands out there that are catching the vision. The U.S. Army saw Timeline as an opportunity to make their history readily accessible to the public. They are telling the story of their brand. They are making themselves into an interesting, visually compelling, story.

“Today the very same principles that apply to people, apply to brands” commented Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer during the 2012 Facebook Marketing Conference. “You have an identity, use it. You have a voice, express yourself. Your customers are listening and your customers are talking, engage them.”

I look forward to what Timeline will bring. As you try to figure it out here are a few helps:

Article: 7 New Facebook Changes Impacting Business

Video: Mike Hoefflinger

Video: Facebook