Our Latest Articles

December 21, 2020 - Issue #20

Three Strengths that Can Help Family Firms Survive Covid Three Strengths that Can Help Family Firms Survive Covid The good news is that for many family businesses the challenges and invitations offered by the pandemic can allow them to emerge stronger than ever, both as families and as enterprises.
Sherri Noxel

Editor's Pick

Sherri Noxel

'Letting Go'

Oregon winery entrepreneur Susan Sokol Blosser is one of the founders of Oregon’s wine industry and a prolific writer. In “Letting Go” she captured the very personal and painful journey of exiting a family business that she founded. It’s the type of honest book about succession that is hard to find. Her first book, “Gracious and Ruthless: Surprising Strategies for Business Success,” shares her point of view as a woman founder in a traditionally male industry.

http://www.susansokolblosser.com
Everyday Gratitude in Times of Uncertainty Everyday Gratitude in Times of Uncertainty A timely message for the holiday season: Gratitude leads to better relationships. It's also good business because it encourages loyalty among our colleagues, especially in times of crisis.
Developing responsible owners in family business Developing responsible owners in family business The next generation of owners is crucial to the family firm's survival. The process of getting them ready and instilling the right attitudes should start early.
December 2020
Leadership Lessons from Great Family Businesses Leadership Lessons from Great Family Businesses

Family businesses are a thriving economic engine, but many struggle to make it from one generation to the next. This article deconstructs what makes them viable for the long term.

Innovating While Preserving Tradition Innovating While Preserving Tradition

Venerable family firms that have been successful through the decades still must innovate. Here is how the leader of one Dutch firm balances tradition and modernization.

Surprising Winners in the Pandemic Surprising Winners in the Pandemic

While more than a quarter of small businesses have closed, some are doing surprisingly well, as this New York Times article points out.

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Involve Next-Gens in Developing Your Social Media Policy
by Claudia Binz Astrachan, Tom Rüsen, and Rebecca DeYarman / Practice Insight

Consider a social media policy as a relatively “low-hanging fruit” to introduce the next generation to family governance work. Read more...

Family Businesses Can Learn From the Battling Brothers of Oasis
by Salvatore Sciascia / Commentary

Fighting caused Liam and Noel Gallagher to throw away 18 years of work. Family firms must do these five things to avoid the same fate. Read more...

Employees With Toxic Traits Can Still Be An Asset at Family Firms
by Benjamin McLarty and Daniel T. Holt / Research Insight

The emotional connection that families have with their companies can encourage good performance -- even from employees with narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. Read more...

'Performance-Enhancing Vices': Good for Business, Bad for Relationships
by Kimberly Eddleston and David Werdiger / Commentary

Advisor and author David Werdiger talks about the business benefits and personal drawbacks of being selfish and stubborn. Read more...

Trending
How Family Dynamics Shape Family Businesses
by Joseph Astrachan and Claudia Binz Astrachan
Editorial offices located at St Thomas University

Editorial offices located at St Thomas University

Popular
Helping Next-Gens Envision Their Family Firm’s Future Success
by Nadine Kammerlander and Friedrich Kammerlander
Family Business Succession Planning: 10 Golden Rules
by Tom Rüsen, Torsten Groth, and Arist von Schlippe
Supported by the Richard M Schulze Family Foundation

Supported by the Richard M Schulze Family Foundation