Regular Issue

March 13, 2023 - Issue #85

Falling from Grace: How Scandals Affect Family Businesses Falling from Grace: How Scandals Affect Family Businesses Feuds, deception and bad behavior can undermine your brand and your family's image. Here are four types of scandals and some notorious examples.
How Family Businesses Survive Unexpected ‘Wild Cards’ How Family Businesses Survive Unexpected ‘Wild Cards’ From government upheaval to COVID, Poland has dealt with many devastating events over the past 30 years. Fifteen family firms told us how they survived it all.
How Family Firms Can Ensure Being Sustainable Pays Off How Family Firms Can Ensure Being Sustainable Pays Off Potential customers and employees are more likely to trust a sustainability report if they understand that a family with strong values is behind it.
Diverse Boards Help Family Businesses Expand Internationally Diverse Boards Help Family Businesses Expand Internationally Pushing into new markets across geographic borders requires a family business to be more focused on possibilities…and this is where boards can make the difference.
How to Fix Succession Conflicts Stemming From Complicated Families How to Fix Succession Conflicts Stemming From Complicated Families Warring ex-spouses, far-flung families...Part 2 of our two-part series looks at how to fix succession challenges that are already underway.
March 2023
Succession Planning Should Start Earlier Than You Think Succession Planning Should Start Earlier Than You Think It's never too early to plan for succession and get family members ready for leadership. The authors share ideas from research and practice in this video and podcast.
New Ways Business Owners Can Use Boards New Ways Business Owners Can Use Boards Boards can help family firms align the interests of owners and managers, and "keep the wheels on the bus."
The Perils of Being Bought The Perils of Being Bought

Renowned UK clothing and streetwear retailer Wellgosh, a family-owned and run business for over 35 years, will soon close -- just two years after being bought by retail giant JD Sports.

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How Families Can Re-Engage Reluctant Successors Without Pressure
by John Cater, Roland Kidwell, Megan Harper, and Marilyn Young / Research Insight

Successors recommit when roles align with their values, skills, and life stage—and when family dynamics allow earlier experiences to be reinterpreted. Read more...

How Families Shape Successor Motivation—and the Firm’s Long-Term Direction
by Alexandra Dawson / Research Insight

Family firms don’t have goals—people do. The rise and fall of Italy's Florio dynasty shows how successor motivation shapes the balance between growth, legacy, and community—and how families can build more durable, values-led leadership. Read more...

Will Your Nonfamily Employees Defend Your Business? 
by Sarah Burrows, Craig Crossley, Catherine Faherty, and Jim Combs / Research Insight

A stewardship climate, where employees feel trusted and truly valued, mobilizes nonfamily employees to defend the family firm against reputational threats.   Read more...

You're Adding a Board of Directors. Is Your Management Team Ready?
by Rostyslav Vovk / Commentary

A Ukraine-based family business installed a board to provide structure as it scaled globally. Here's how the owners overcame top managers' fears and won their support. Read more...

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Things to Consider When Transferring Family Business Ownership
by Susan Lanz, Gary Burke, Kajsa Haag, and Omid Omidvar
Supported by the Richard M Schulze Family Foundation

Supported by the Richard M Schulze Family Foundation