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  • Succession Planning Takes a Team Succession Planning Takes a Team

    Succession Planning Takes a Team

Succession Planning Takes a Team

I was surprised recently when someone mentioned they saw my role in the succession planning process as duplicative to that of attorneys.  Using client examples, I provided a clearer understanding of how my role as a management consultant and family business advisor differed from and, in fact, eased the process for attorneys.  Still, this prompted me to realize a review of the roles different professionals play in succession planning could benefit owners who have not yet begun their planning process.

To that end, below are listed a few of the key steps in the succession planning process along with the professionals most likely to assist in that step. (more…)

  • Board of Advisors: Finding the Right Mix Board of Advisors: Finding the Right Mix

    Board of Advisors: Finding the Right Mix

Board of Advisors: Finding the Right Mix

Once, when working with a family business client, I recommended they hire an experienced CFO.  Since there was no one in the family who fit this bill, the founder said to me:  “You want someone from outside the family to see the books?”  (Never mind they had already shared financials with me.)  Imagine what he said when I suggested they recruit independent, non-family members for a Board of Advisors.

In my last blog I pointed out the roles and benefits of an advisory board.  Here I offer advice on how to choose members for that board. (more…)

Board of Advisors: Sharing the Burden

Much has been written on the benefits of including independent voices on boards for closely-held and family businesses.  So why do I and other advisors get so much resistance when recommending a Board of Advisors to our clients?  While I may not agree, I understand resistance to adding independent, voting members to a board of directors.  But a Board of Advisors is just that: A group of trusted advisors without a vote in the formal decision making process.

This resistance can often be attributed to a lack of understanding of the Board of Advisors’ role and benefits.  To clarify these issues, (more…)

A Seller’s Market for Family Business

A recent Wall Street Journal article  focuses on a potential positive in what is otherwise described as “grim statistics” for family businesses.  The statistics:  Only 30% of family businesses survive into the second generation; 11% survive into the third generation and 3% beyond that.  Use of words like “grim” and “only” connote a terrible fate for the families of businesses that do not “survive”.  However, selling the business can be the best path for many families.  And, as noted in the WSJ article, now is a good time for families to consider selling. (more…)

  • Are family businesses different? Are family businesses different?

    Are family businesses different?

Are family businesses different?

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with a co-founder of a small, entrepreneurial company and learn about his experiences.  The company was formed in 1998 and saw quick, continued growth that was only slightly curtailed by the downturn in 2008-09.  Now, he and his partners are facing challenges as transitions and growth bring in a new, younger group of managers.  Hearing this founder’s story, I was struck by how much his company’s path had in common with a family-owned business as well as what was different.  Here is a short checklist (more…)

Communication: What Reddit’s story has to tell all businesses.

It’s been a busy month for Reddit. July has included a major shutdowns, the loss of a CEO and the return of a co-founder who quickly cracked down on errant users.  It’s a storyline that could inspire TV soap opera writers!

In reality, there are two, overlapping stories which offer valuable lessons in communication for all managers. (more…)