How a family business is structured can have a very strong influence on how well the business operates. A family business organizational structure should include a hierarchy in which people have clear responsibility for a job, have the authority to get the job done and are held accountable for the outcomes.
Transfer of a family business ownership from one generation to another can involve a series of complex financial transactions. In the United States, there is a limit on how much one can gift to children without paying a tax. Tax laws vary from one country to another, which is one reason a fair family monetary policy is essential.
When family members are not able to abide by the Power of the Golden Share, a family business can suffer. The key to success in many family businesses is abiding by the rules of International Best Practices for Family Business that include clear responsibility for positions and accountability for performance and outcomes.
Family business elders often have words of wisdom for business employees. With an ability to focus on what is important for success, elders are able to concentrate on the business at hand instead of being distracted by other factors. Elders tell the stories about the business and the people who nurtured the legacy that originally allowed the business to grow.
There are many dimensions of family business protocol. While protocol varies from one family business to another, some of the necessary basic elements include: defining the purpose of the family business, clearly stating who owns the business, determining who is responsible for what, and committing to mediation or binding arbitration when disagreements cannot be resolved.
Family business success stories can be very motivational and inspirational. In some cases, effective business communication can make a substantial difference in the ultimate success of a family business. Clear and constructive communication and listening to what others have to say can have an overwhelmingly positive impact on any family business.
Oftentimes a family business board of directors should include members outside of the family. When outside members are present on the board of directors, it can elevate the decision-making process and force the operation of a family business to lean more towards a professional level which can have a profound effect.
Learning the importance of financial management in business is an vital lesson. It's essential that children learn the relationship between effort and reward, talk about money, and see that money is a tool that provides leverage in business and life . There are many directions that parents can take in conversations with children about financial management.
Managing a family business means always taking the long view. As a business leader, it's important to focus on building the business for the future. In family business, it's imperative to build a bench and fill the gaps in the business. Looking towards the future and predicting where the family business will be in 10 years is essential.
When a family agrees to using consensus as their decision-making model, they are committed to devoting time to discussing issues until there is full agreement to move forward in implementing the decision. Effective family business leadership requires the family to be dedicated to working together, which can be accomplished by embracing the consensus model.
