In between The Peer Alliance forum meetings, we hold interim video conference calls. Forum members provide updates to one another and insight into current opportunities and challenges. In a recent call, we talked about a paradox of leadership- “Benevolent Dictator” vs. “Consensus Builder.” The former can certainly be effective and efficient, yet can also build […]
Disagreements and arguments between family members are inevitable. Disagreements and arguments between family members who work together are “more so.” Standard protocol for resolution is an apology. Sometimes it’s an expression of regret for having had the argument; sometimes it’s an admission of guilt. But that’s not where an apology needs to end. There’s one […]
Again and again, in working with business families, the subject of “trust” arises. Sometimes it’s about intent and fairness, sometimes it’s about consistency, and sometimes it’s about honesty. Some colleagues of ours, Tom Hubler and Ernesto Poza, perform research and write articles around “trust.” They offer the following definition: “Trust is not an article of […]
Just read another brief article by Daniel Goleman on Mindfulness: an antidote for workplace ADD. This has great application to family enterprise leaders, where ADD/ADHD appears to run rampant. The presence of electronic distractions and more not only takes us away from some fundamental tasks we try to perform, they command a priority in our […]
Parents are having children at a later age; how does this impact the future of family enterprise? One newspaper article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9928198/Are-older-parents-putting-our-future-at-risk.html claims “American women have their first babies has risen by four years since 1970, up to 25. In Japan – where adult incontinence pads now outsell nappies – it is 29… But nowhere is […]
Have you ever been hit by a snowball? Has any of the snow lingered in its gradual passage from a frozen substance to a liquid one? Does it sting? Let’s see if there’s a metaphor here for enterprising family members and others with whom we’re close. In our relationships with others, we’re bound to get […]
When we think about our family business, we do so from our own perspectives. It’s typically about how we see our mission, our vision, our strategy, our culture, our people, product and service. A recent article by Dharmesh Shah, Founder and CTO at HubSpot, is entitled “How To Find A Company You’ll Love Working For” […]
http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130707212115-117825785-the-emotional-intelligence-skills-employers-want-now?trk=mp-reader-card. Here’s another easy to read blog from Daniel Goleman about the emotional skills employers are seeking. You might consider adding these as hiring criteria when writing future job descriptions. They are also valuable categories- subject to measurement- on performance evaluations. And finally, they are useful reminders to ourselves. Emotional intelligence is here to stay. […]
In this blog, Paul Karofsky shares some best practices to think about when preparing to have a member of the next generation join the family business. Sit back, relax and take a couple of minutes to listen to over 25 years of guidance. Enjoy!
For many family businesses, successful transition may depend on the senior generation’s ability to present a platform from which the next generation can express itself in an entrepreneurial way. In this recent article from the Family Firm Practitioner, Professor Kevin Au tells us of the challenge facing Chinese family firms. The lesson to be learned […]