Our Latest Articles

November 30, 2020 - Issue #17

Women Can Help Their Family Businesses Navigate Crisis Women Can Help Their Family Businesses Navigate Crisis Women can be indispensable in times of trouble, but the glass ceiling and the glass cliff still hold them back even at family firms. Seven things to think about.
Sherri Noxel

Editor's Pick

Sherri Noxel

One Tough Mother

One Tough Mother is not an academic text but an inspirational autobiography from the late Gert Boyle. It is the story of her inheriting her father’s sporting goods business and the unexpected death of her husband when she was 46. Gert rebuilt the company that is now one of the finest examples of G3 family enterprise ownership of a publicly traded global company.

"One Tough Mother: Taking Charge in Life, Business and Apple Pies” by Gert Boyle, G2 CEO of Columbia Sportswear.

Daughters prepare to lead family firms Daughters prepare to lead family firms Daughters are increasingly assuming leadership roles at family firms. In this video, two future business leaders talk about family expectations, their worries, their hopes for the future and the importance of knowing their value.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling in a Family Business Breaking the Glass Ceiling in a Family Business Despite decades of striving and some progress, women still face challenges. Outdated ideas about primogeniture and a woman's rightful place have not yet gone away, and women still feel too much pressure to prove themselves.
Family Business Home Page Vol. 2
Lessons from Lauder Lessons from Lauder

Leonard Lauder, whose empire includes Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown and Clinique cosmetics, never makes an important decision without a woman at the table.

Building a Balanced Relationship Building a Balanced Relationship

As this article points out, moving from daughter to CEO is never easy. In this article, Jelmar CEO Alison Gutterman shares her insights about leading her third-generation family firm.

Lessons from 100-year Businesses Lessons from 100-year Businesses

This podcast features Dennis Jaffe, celebrated family business office consultant and author of the book, Borrowed from Your Grandchildren, talking about what resilient families have in common.

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When Is a Family Business Leader Too Old?
by Salvatore Sciascia / Commentary

Recent events in the US Presidential race have focused many on the question: When is someone too old to lead? Here's how family firms can think things through. Read more...

A False Sense of Urgency Helps Neither Family Nor Business
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Rushed decisions tend to lead to bad outcomes. So does avoiding decisions because we’re afraid of conflict. This framework helps businesses think realistically about decision urgency. Read more...

The Next Generation Can Help the Family Firm Innovate
by Richard Schulze and Ritch Sorenson / Commentary

Best Buy Founder Richard Shulze and Ritch Sorenson of the University of St. Thomas explore the opportunities that come with a changing of the guard. Read more...

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by Kimberly Eddleston / Interviews

A family business advisor says a change in leadership is like passing the baton in a relay race. Don't let go too abruptly. Read more...

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Family Business Succession: Your Questions Answered
by Kimberly Eddleston and Mat Hughes
Editorial offices located at St Thomas University

Editorial offices located at St Thomas University

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Family Firms May Need More Legal Advice Than They Think
by Kajsa Haag, Hanna Almlöf, Marina Madsen, and Mette Neville
Supported by the Richard M Schulze Family Foundation

Supported by the Richard M Schulze Family Foundation