Planning, Cooperation, and Execution - the Bridge to a Successful Future Intact!

The successful family business affects family and non-family members emotionally, as well as intellectually and financially. You live, eat, and sleep the challenges and frustrations of your business. Consequently, the people who can help you must understand your problems and their solutions on every level - in order to help you survive survival itself. I help business owners identify the factors responsible for their continued success. I motivate them to take charge of the future of their enterprise. My "Action Steps" have helped countless businesses survive their own success. Business owners want help, in small doses. They don't want to simply add to the list of people giving them advice. They are looking for someone who will listen to them.

To find out, specifically how we help with this important family business issue and the Associations who represent them, please e-mail us for more Information.

In this program I explain my "Five Action Steps" which each member of the audience will need if they are to take the steps needed for long-term survival.

Often, after a main platform presentation, I present a "hands on" breakout session for the people are serious about doing something, rather than just hearing about it again.

Each of my presentations, whatever the length involved, is aimed at the critical planning goals of focusing the "Dream" and defining joint and individual goals.

Each company I work with faces unique challenges and a particular family business issue and is quick to point out, “Our business in different.” They are serious when they say this, but over the years I think I have seen every variation of these unique situations I can imagine. Because my clients only go through the process of succession once, they don’t have the luxury of seeing hundreds of other people deal with the same challenges. The following examples will give you a flavor of the people I have been pleased to help.

Mid South Equipment Distributor.

In 1958 three brothers inherited the family business. Immediately two of them bought out the third. “He never liked to work hard, so we bought him out”, one brother told me. By 1988 the business had grown beyond anyone’s expectation and the two brothers’ sons had entered the business. One brother has one son and the other has two sons in the business (problems begin). This is in addition to 4 daughter divided equally between them and expecting a share of things someday.

To complicate things they hired the ousted brother’s son in 1993. He has become the comptroller of the company, great at collecting invoices and keeping the bank and the tax people in their place. I was called after they heard a presentation at their association meeting. Not only is son #2 of one brother causing problems, his uncle is ready (past ready) to retire. He is afraid to however as that will leave his only son having to deal with his cousins alone. In addition, the comptroller wants a piece of the business. After all he is family.

West Coast Vegetable Grower

Twenty five years ago this business was a tiny truck garden. Today it supplies food processors with its vegetables which are processed and sold all over the world. During the last fifteen years the owner’s two sons have helped the business grow. Their only daughter has no interest in the business. Moms first statement to me was, “I want our daughter to share equally with her brothers” the proceeds of our business and estate. The boys had other ideas, dad tried to avoid this delicate family business issue, and nobody had ever asked the daughter’s feelings.

North East Trucking Company

Government requirements, fuel prices, toll charges, and deregulation are nothing compared to the personal problems in this 34 year old company. One complication is that 80% of the stock is owned by the founder, age 70. The range of the 7 brothers-in-law, brothers, and cousins is 23 years from the oldest down to the 28 year old truck mechanic son of the founder’s brother-in-law. For years dad has been willing to participate in every good sales and management idea the boys brought him.

The boys have worked hard to grow the business so the money would be available to buy him out when he was ready to step down. One day, the leader of the next generation woke up with a start. It dawned on him that their efforts to grow the business were making it harder, not easier to buy dad out. The value of his stock was going up faster and faster every day. He happened to read one of my articles and gave me a call.

There are hundreds of examples like these. If you would like to discuss your particular family business issue or situation or a presentation to your association, farm organization, or professional group, send me an email message or call me at 212-978-1456.

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