Product Description

Product Description

Running a family business is like running any other business--with the addition of many extra challenges. A family-owned enterprise involves unique management, compensation, hiring, and other business issues regarding family member employees. 9 Elements of Family Business Success addresses the specific challenges faced by owners of family businesses, and it shows family members employed in the business how to enjoy their positions while helping the organization reach its highest potential.

Every relationship between family members comes with its own unique set of dynamics. When transferred into the workplace, these dynamics introduce emotional factors and hot buttons that can make or break the business. In this comprehensive guide, Allen E. Fishman spotlights all the challenges such organizations face and provides practical advice for creating your own strategy to meet them--and strengthen relationships within the family, as well. Fishman provides solutions to the problems unique to a family-run business, along with handy checklists to ensure you're covering all the angles. You'll learn how to:

• Create a written policy for hiring, reviewing, and terminating family member employees
• Avoid family relationship tension regarding compensation
• Choose a successor and create a succession development plan
• Ensure good results-driven family communication and dynamics
• Maintain healthy spousal relations when you work together
• Recruit and retain talented non-family member employees

Customer Reviews (7)

Outstanding - Must Read for Family Business Owners, Partners and Offspring
This is one of the "best" books to date on Family Business! Alan Fishman, a successful family business owner and business leader, has given us an outstanding, comprehensive overview of the complex and challenging world of family business. He talks openly and instructively about his own ongoing succession process. He weaves many "street smart" stories from the facilitator/coaches and the hundreds of family business owners served on a day-to-day basis by his company, The Alternative Board (TAB). And last but not least, he shares his personal lessons learned and pearls of wisdom from his years as an advisor to family business owners.

As a Family Business Consultant, working with families in the US and Canada, I'm constantly looking for the best research and the most informative literature on family firms. Alan Fishman's, 9 Elements of Family Business Success has now moved to the top of my list and will be required reading for those family business leaders we're engaged with.
Bill Seelig, President & Founder, Seelig & Company: Harnessing the Power of Families in Business, bill@seeligs.com

A Former Family usiness Owner
I just finished reading "9 Elements of Family Business".I must congratulate the author on a well written book that provides much insight into what family businesses are and the pitfalls that family business owners and members must watch out for.I like the explanations by actual real-life examples used throughout, because it teaches in language people can understand easier, rather than by theory.

As a former owner of multiple family businesses that has rejoiced and suffered from the pros and cons of family issues in business, I venture to say that it should be made required reading by anybody forming a family business.

Very informative and practical information
I found Allen E. Fishman's book to be extremely informative and beneficial even to a "non-family business" person.Allen provided detailed and practical information that any person could benefit from. I think what makes his book different from other authors is how he effectively related his "own family" personal experiences to help the reader visualize his thoughts. This is definitely a book that I will use as a frequent reference and recommend to colleagues and family members.
Robyn Weilbacher

All leaders and employees of family businesses must read this
Allen Fishman is the Family Business Leader of a successful family business. His real-life experiences the many experiences of leading family business coaches from around the globe, makes this book distinctive.It's real time/real life stuff that everyone involved in a family business can relate to and immediately put into practice.

Ray Brun, Small Business Coach Fairfield, CA

Non Family Member Employees Take Notice!
I didn't read this book to address my needs as a family business owner or a family member employee.Instead, as someone who has often worked as a non-family member employee in a family business, I wanted to better understand exactly what goes on---and why.My first job at age 15 was for a family-owned restaurant.I loved the job, but even back then I felt confused, and yes, annoyed, by dynamics I found unfair to those of us not "in the family." And that confusion (and annoyance) has followed me every time I worked for a family-owned business.

I finally get it!And ifthis book had been around 30 years ago when I was 15, and I had been smart enough to read it, my future working life would have been a lot different--- and my blood pressure would have faced far fewer challenges.

I love the close knit feeling a family company provides.But sometimes stuff goes on that makes no sense; at least not to me.Like when a family member gets promoted to a position I don't think he or she has the experience to carry, compensation issues, and being pushed and pulled by the conflicting pressures of bosses that also happen to be a husband and wife, siblings, cousins, whatever the relationship.This book hits on all these scenarios and more.

I truly believe that tolerance for issues that challenge me comes from understanding.Allen Fishman's book has given me the understanding I need to push these issues aside.I may not like every single thing that goes on in a family business, but now that I know why it happens, I don't have to waste any more time thinking about it. Allen speaks in real terms that everyone can understand, and he doesn't dodge the tough issues; he calls the shots just as they are, even when they aren't pretty.And that's impressive coming from someone who is a family business owner himself. And how cool that Allen credits his daughter for her help in writing the book; talk about authenticity!

Any one who works for a family business, who isn't part of the family, needs to read this book.And family business leaders, or FBL's as they are called in the book, listen up--- get a couple copies of this book and spread it around to your Non FME's.Encourage them to read it, and then talk to them about any questions they might have.I promise, you'll get a more productive- and happier- non family workforce for making the effort.

... Read more

Product Description

Over 80% of the businesses in the United States are family-owned and managed. From the corner deli or barbershop to global empires in brewing, media, and cleaning products, family businesses embody the entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation and economic growth and that represents the hopes and dreams of millions for independence, self-sufficiency, and wealth. And yet the track record for entrepreneurial businesses is poor: over three-quarters will fail during the first five years and only 10% will survive a decade. Family business statistics show that fewer than one-third pass succesfully to a second generation, often the result of insufficient planning. Drawing from numerous in-depth examples (both positive and negative), Edward Hess offers a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of family business management and specific strategies to promote the health of the enteprise. A comprehensive guide, The Successful Family Business covers the spectrum of topics from creating a family values statement and code of conduct to resolving conflicts among siblings to managing transitions in leadership and the potential sale of the business. Other issues include: defining perks and benefits (for family and non-family members), working with the board of directors, and going public. Hess concludes with a series of operating rules that apply to every family business and a listing of practical references and resources.

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent Insights
This was the first book I had read on family businesses and I found Ed Hess's insights very useful. As a consultant who works with many family owned and/or operated businesses, the book helped me understand the ins and outs of such businesses in a clear and concise fashion. I recommend it for anyone who wants to understand the unique nuances of family-owned businesses and ensure the long term success of them.

A must for a family business
I have not only studied this fine text, but I have bought copies for four friends with family businesses.I am personally aware of many of the pitfalls associated with a family business, but reading this book increased the breadth of my awareness greatly.And, most important, it provided great insight into how to deal with these many issues.I believe strongly that being forewarned is being forearmed, and this book provides invaluable warnings and solutions regarding family business challenges.I personally believe it is a must read for all members, direct and indirect, of family businesses.

A. Whitaker
As a Financial Services professional focused on advising Ultra-High Net Worth individuals and families during and after significant liquidity events, I have been witness to the issues that arise prior to, during, and after the sale of a family business.Ed Hess has thoroughly explored the realities that families must face when creating a succession plan.Hess also thoroughly discusses the typical exit options that exist for business owners as well as the qualitative considerations that families should explore before selling a business.I highly recommend this book and plan to use it as a reference tool on an on-going basis.

TheSuccessful Family Business: A Proactive Plan for Managing the Family and the Business
Acquainted with Prof. Hess, I was looking forward to reading the book, as it is on a subject with which I was not fully familiar.I was not dissappointed. Straightforward, well organized and with great case studies, I believe I now better understand this specialized area of business.I recomment this book for anyone working in or advising a family business, and am lending my copy to a good friend with a considerable family business interest.

Family Planning
This book represents a complete summary of relevant, major issues facing any family business. Each of these issues will be actively managed or at least contemplated in the life of any family business and the long term success and viability of the organization is dependent on how or if the issue is resolved. Ed Hess provides thought provoking guidance on how to deal with each problem encountered. He points out the relationship and dependency of many of the issues to each other and the need for timeliness in addressing the subjects. This book is a must read for CEO's and Directors of growing family businesses. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

In-depth focus on family business
The TV show Dallas intrigued audiences worldwide. It was a sensational hit because it centered on a rich family, and dealt with scandalous, sinister themes, such as love, hate, jealousy, rivalry, wealth and revenge. However, according to authors Grant Gordon and Nigel Nicholson, these issues are not purely the fabrication of a Hollywood studio, but often take center stage in real-life family businesses. Gordon and Nicholson examine why some family businesses turn schizoid or malignant. They provide numerous shocking cautionary tales of warring families. From wide-ranging fictitious stories, including Hamlet and The Lion King, to infamous family boardroom battles at firms such as the Bata Shoe Company, the Seagram Corporation and Koch Industries, each account teaches a powerful lesson. The authors also proffer recommendations on how relatives can amicably resolve ownership, management or control differences concerning their family firms. getAbstract believes that anyone who is involved with a family business, even those who are not currently at each other's throats, can benefit by reading this insightful, instructive book. Forewarned is forearmed

Good work on the research
Gallo, Ford, Guinness, IBM, Gucchi, Mondavi, Reliance and Addidas...Global brands?Before they were these brands they were family owned companies (or family run in the case of IBM).Authors Grant Gordon and Nigel Nicholson do a fairly decent job in their research of these family business as well as many others.They give summarized histories of the businesses germinating and taking off.They even give genealogical breakdowns of the families in question.But where they really score is that they have been able to analyze these situations on both an organizational behavior level as well as that of a psychological level.

The authors are quick to point out in the beginning of this book that there are many advantages to being in a family run business.Decisions are made quicker.Conflicts can often tend to be resolved in a more efficient manner.The businesses are often more profitable and last longer than a "corporate" business, that is, with professional management and not family management.They also point out that family friction can be good for the business in certain instances.But it is the struggle for control that generally unwinds everything.

The book itself is written in a very interesting style.It could pass for a professional business book, a university text book or a non-fiction book that is written for pleasure.I have to commend the authors on this - especially since this was a joint effort and not one man doing all of the written production.

Throughout Family Wars we see the causes of the inter-family strife and are generally walked through the resolutions - and sometimes there really aren't any.Gordon and Nicholson show us the several models where familial business friction occurs:When the head of the family doesn't want to release control, sibling rivalry, disagreements in company direction, etc.It would seem that no matter what the background, nationality, era, product or business model these same issues tend to manifest themselves in family companies.That in and of itself lends to the mystique of this book.

Advice that will keep families staying together while keeping the business profitable
Family businesses should be stress free - if anyone can get along it can be family, right? "Family Wars: Classic Conflicts in Family Business and How to Deal With Them" realizes that even families can have conflicts, and they can do far more damage than a conflict between two unrelated people. Seeking to give advice that will keep families staying together while keeping the business profitable, it's an ideal guide for any family business who doesn't want to let money get in between people and their devotion to family. "Family Wars: Classic Conflicts in Family Business and How to Deal With Them" is highly recommended for community library collections dedicated to business.

"Family Wars" - An indispensable treatise for one and all...
An old business adage that runs in the family business parlance puts it rather simply, "The first generation starts, the second builds and the third sells." But in the true purview of realism, do all family businesses rest on the same gritty axiom? Are families really bound taut in `intimate, dynamic, honest and loyal' strands of inter-personal business? Moreover, does the presence of conflict within family businesses itself mean failure? These are some of those integral questions that this compelling read shall endeavour to answer.

A comprehensive discourse on conflict within family business, `Family Wars' dwells on those inequalities and flaws that keep families from embarking onto shared entrepreneurship, yet resonantly discussing the indispensability of family firms in the economy.

`Family Wars' runs you through a set of melodramatic and enthralling case studies (over 20 in number), which splits family conflict into different categories highlighting the stringent irony of blood-ties. Some of the themes interwoven are the `father- son conflict' (Gallo wine family saga), `sibling rivalry' (Ambani family),`the insularity trap' (Guinness story) and Schism (Pritzker empire saga) to name a few. Certain issues, which arise between generations like overpowering personalities and nepotism, are also explored.

As an intriguing illustration, the theme of `Parental Oppression' is presented through the Ford Family case (Chapter 5), which depicts an obsessive personality in the form of a narcissistic leader, Henry Ford who focussed exclusively on himself, lacked empathy and totally neglected `succession management' in his organisation to the extent that after the untimely death of his son, he was dethroned by his daughter- in- law leaving a trail of psychological debris. The reader is led to believe that leadership and personality are closely intertwined. They make greatness but at the same time also embody flaws that need to be dealt with.

The contents in the book seem to blend with one strand that remains uniquely present in the fabric of the family and its firm - personality. An informative discussion on personality and its building blocks is followed by the citation of the `paradox of inherited personality'. We are led to understand that 50 percent of our character is significantly heritable (from our genes) and the rest comes from our life experiences. The reader is guided to conclude that `entrepreneurs do not breed entrepreneurs' except by the luck of the `gene lottery'.

`Family Wars' is authored by Nigel Nicholson and Grant Gordon, the first being an eminent professor of organisational behaviour and psychology at the London Business School and author of the critically approbated `Managing the Human Animal' and the latter, director general of the UK's Institute for Family Business. The book makes for a mould of some robust research and the pragmatic perspectives of an acclaimed academic and a fifth generation member of a reputed Scottish family business.

The book concludes with a set of some useful and pertinent recommendations on delving deeper into the insights of human nature, management and family dynamics. Further, guidelines on how firms can fortify themselves against conflict are also provided as well as evaluation of how people can make conflict productive in family firms.

A valuable and highly recommended resource guide for all, dealing with issues related to conflict, both within the family as well as the non-family firms. ... Read more

Product Description
"While it's easy to allow little things to take over our lives, there are things we can do to make life around the house less stressful," writes Richard Carlson in Don't Sweat the Small Stuff with Your Family: Simple Ways to Keep Daily Responsibilities and Household Chores from Taking Over Your Life. In this collection of 98 brief essays, Carlson (author of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ... And It's All Small Stuff) meditates on small, but meaningful ways to avoid being overwhelmed by life, particularly family life. From Number 8: Make Peace with Bickering, to Number 14: Encourage Boredom in Your Children, to Number 72: Stop Exaggerating Your Workload, Carlson's messages serve as reminders for truisms most readers already know but have lost sight of in the bustle of daily life. Carlson's "ways" may be simple, but simplicity is not stupid--his book offers vital injections of wisdom. --Ericka LutzAmazon.com Review
"While it's easy to allow little things to take over ourlives, there are things we can do to make life around the house lessstressful," writes Richard Carlson in Don't Sweat the Small Stuffwith Your Family: Simple Ways to Keep Daily Responsibilities andHousehold Chores from Taking Over Your Life. In this collection of98 brief essays, Carlson (author of Don't Sweat the SmallStuff ... And It's All Small Stuff) meditates on small, butmeaningful ways to avoid being overwhelmed by life, particularlyfamily life. From Number 8: Make Peace with Bickering, to Number 14:Encourage Boredom in Your Children, to Number 72: Stop ExaggeratingYour Workload, Carlson's messages serve as reminders for truisms mostreaders already know but have lost sight of in the bustle of dailylife. Carlson's "ways" may be simple, but simplicity is notstupid--his book offers vital injections of wisdom. --ErickaLutz ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Good to read
I just finished reading this book, but had allowed myself several months to do it in.I would digest a couple of entries a day and then consider them. Not all of them were relevant to me, per se, but there were several that helped me out.It was good to have an "outside voice" give me something to think about during the day and even, to some measure, some level of practical application. Worth the read.

Cute, Easy to read
This book was ok, its easy to read, the chapters are 1 - 2 pages each so you can put it down and pick it back up quickly.Light, nothing deep, didn't feel like it taught me any wonderful life lessons, but it was enjoyable to hear a man's take on some of the "womanly" duties.I liked it well enough to recommend it.

Quality Advice for Happy Family Life
As a continuation of his best selling book, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff", this version deals with family interaction and continues the quality guidance found in Carlson's other books. Carlson has an approach to life centered on keeping things in proper perspective, and this book is filled with thought provoking principles about family relationships and communication.

It is natural to prioritize family; however, Carlson reminds us about the little things that truly express a commitment to family that most people unwittingly overlook. Filled with examples, anecdotes, and down to earth explanations, the message is clearly convened in the short chapters presented in the book.I have no doubt anyone looking to continue or improve family harmony will find value within these pages.

Helpful, but not AS helpful as the first...
This book was helpful, but not nearly as helpful as Elaine St. James' "Simplify Your Life." I'd recommend starting there, and tackling the peculiarities of life with children -after- you've tried a few ofElaine's suggestions. Elaine has a way of approaching the big picture, finding the chinks, and carving off large chunks of unneeded stress.

This book has more psychological, feel-your-way advice, while "Simplify Your Life" gives concrete, single steps that almost anyone can implement, age not a factor.

Short and Superb!
This book has very short chapters.What this does is allows you to quickly get a thought-provoking and helpful "shot in the arm" almost anywhere.I find it a great book to keep in the car for reading during commutes when I am a passenger or even if stuck in traffic.Sure, some of the stuff is common sense but the way Carlson puts it - it really makes you think and makes it real.Definitely one to read and pass on to someone else. ... Read more

Product Description
At least eighty-five percent of all businesses in the United States are family-owned--with their own special problems, situations, issues, and family dynamics. This book is a practical guide for all professional practitioners who service the needs of family businesses. It provides a basic training manual for all providers--attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, insurance and health care providers, therapists, and others--who are specialists in their fields, but are unfamiliar with the unique psychology and dynamics that often control and influence family businesses. The authors detail how to deal with the special circumstances that arise when advising and consulting to family businesses that can make or break the process of consulting, advising, and planning.

... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Please, read it if you care for your family business.
I highly recommend all of John Ward's books about family businesses. ... Read more

Product Description
Celebrates the unique qualities of the family business and offers a comprehensive resource for successfully managing the enterprise across generations.Softcover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great Read!
We own and operate a family business and are currently employing the 7th, 8th, and 9th generations.This book was instrumental in the reseach I did when developing a seminar "Dynamics of Working with Family" for a series of conferences I was speaking at.It was such an easy read with many critical points to be aware of that I bought one for each member of the family to read!I highly recommend this book!

THE Family Business Guide!
Paisner fully succeeds in addressing the various critical issues challenging family businesses.A superb work that delves into multiple scenarios--from leadership and control situations to managing for future generations to run the business.Paisner at all times leads the reader to the conclusion that the family business is far more than just a job or even a piggy bank for future generations but rather a means to an end stressing the growth and development of both the future heirs as well as the communities in which the business operates."Sustaining the Family Business" takes into account numerous societal, family, and financial considerations and pulls from numerous sources (several full pages of citations attest to this fact.)A must-have, must-read for family businesses and their heirs, a resource that needs to be discussed and internalized as more and more family businesses seem to disappear into big-business corporate amalgamations.Fantastic, 5 Stars!

Scrub-a-Dub cleans up
Articulate and literate. The author has some valuable insights.
If your business is worth many millions, check out his column versus pyramid idea of ownership succession.Or if you're ready to pass your company, of any size, along to the next generation, the options are discussed here.

A thoughtful look at the family business
These days, it seems harder than ever to predict the future of the family business. Killer companies, rollouts and sweet buyout offers have dampened the enthusiasm of many first-generation business owners for passing theirbusinesses on to their sons and daughters.

Indeed, when presented a"too good to be true" offer from a potential buyer, patriarchsand matriarchs are inclined to say "Why not?" They can take thecash, make sure that their retirement years will be comfortable, and havesome money left over to pass on to the kids.

A compelling argument, butit's not what family businesses are about, says Marshall Paisner, founderand now chairman of the ScrubaDub Auto Wash Centers, a chain of 10 carwashes in metropolitan Boston. Paisner believes that family businessesexist to sustain families financially and spiritually. Yes, they must beinnovative, customer-focused and, ultimately, profitable. And yes,sometimes selling out is the best option. But Paisner believes that it'sthe best option far less often than people think.

Paisner launchedScrubaDub in 1965. Through innovation, a participative management style,fun and a slavish devotion to the customer, the company has grown steadilysince then. No doubt much of that growth is due to Paisner's enthusiasmabout customer service. He's even managed to make car washes fun, offeringcoupons and red-carpet service for regular customers. (See the company'swebsite at www.scrubadub.com for information on the Car Care Club, giftideas and the Scrubadub Difference.)

He sees the family business as agift, not a burden. Indeed, this is the fundamental thesis of his book. Butgetting kids to see the business as a privilege instead of a right doesn'thappen overnight. It starts at the dinner table, when the kids areyoung.

"In too many families, parents send signals to their childrenthat running a family business is a stressful and unfulfillingendeavor," says Paisner. "Wishing to spare their childrenunnecessary worry about problems they can't understand, parents unwittinglyturn their children against the business by banishing business talk fromthe dinner table, closing off opportunities to share both disappointmentsand triumphs."

Paisner himself prepared his kids for a ScrubaDubfuture by having them to work in the car wash during summers, thenencouraging them to work outside the business after graduation beforejoining the company. Once the kids were involved in the business, heinstituted a participative style of management that allowed all familymembers to gradually take on responsibilities and learn how to deal withconflict.

He drew up a "family plan" to articulate the family'soverall intentions for the business. Owners can use such plans toarticulate their conception of the business "as a trust for which eachgeneration acts as a temporary guardian, preserving it to pass on to latergenerations," he believes.

Paisner firmly believes that most of thereasons people give for selling are based on "inadequate information,poor planning, or what I consider to be an insufficient appreciation forthe benefits of keeping a family business in the family."

Still, hedoes allow that sometimes - though not often - selling the family businessis indeed the best option. Perhaps the best reason, he believes, is whenthe business is about to get knocked off by new technology.

If it comesdown to a sale, owners shouldn't make a move without enlisting the aid of asmart investment banker to help them value their business and elicit thebest offers possible. Then, once the sale is made, every provision shouldbe made to distribute the money equitably. Distinguishes family business culture from general business culture,because it makes clear that the business exists, essentially, forextrabusiness reasons. It doesn't exist solely to make money and to besuccessful, like most business; it exists to take care of afamily."

Maybe there's more to life than the golf course after all.

well worth your time
The dreary statistics are familiar to all of us who work with family businesses: family businesses make up 90% of the 15 million operations in the United States.Only one-third make it to the second generation.Andonly 10% make to the third.

Given such depressing numbers, isn't it onlylogical that owners can easily be convinced by industry consolidators toturn their ownership into cash?

Marshall Paisner takes strong objectionto this view.

Accountants can only consider market value when makingpricing decisions.Family business owners need to take market value intoaccount, but they also need to consider family values.In the long run,family value is more important.The goal of a family business is to live adesired lifestyle and give the next generation the opportunity to do thesame thing.

And if you don't like Paisner's "soft" view ofbusiness, he argues that the return on a successful family business isalmost always greater than the after-tax return of an estate produced bythe sale of such a business.

Much of what Paisner says has been saidelsewhere.This book is worth reading because Paisner is the Chairman ofScrub-A-Dub Auto Wash Centers, Inc., one of the world's largest car-washchains.Founded in 1965, he has successful transitioned the business tohis two sons.And we can personally attest that Scrub-A-Dub is one of thebest consumer products marketing companies we have ever seen!And we haveseen many.

SUSTAINING THE FAMILY BUSINESS is a "How I Did It" book plus an integration of published research plus an integration withother family businesses around the country.

Topics include: Creating aFamily Culture, Managing FamilyConflict, Developing Tax Strategies,Developing EstateStrategies, When Selling Makes Sense, Navigating a Successful Sale.

For those of who serve on Boards of family businesses,Paisnerspeaks positively about the use of true outsiders to serve on his Board of Advisors, how he selected them, and how hecompensated them.

Hehas a section on what actions to take when spouses' perceive that theirmates are being unfairly treated.Such perceptions can poison both thebusiness atmosphere and the family atmosphere. Paisner has a cogentprescription for what those steps ought to be. ... Read more

Product Description
Explores the special dynamics and challenges the family businesses face as they move through their life cycles. Provides an original developmental model for understanding and managing patterns of change in family firms. DLC: Family-owned business enterprises - Management. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Unique Book
Great book if you are looking for some theoretical work on family businesses. It addresses the family aspect (how the evolution of the business impacts the family and vice-versa), the business aspect (start up stage, maturity stage, etc.)and the ownership (one owner, several generations working together, extended family involvement). Most importantly it addresses the interaction between the different areas of the family owned-business.

The most AUTHORITATIVE work on family firms
This book is the most authoritative work on family firms.Part I of the book applies the three-circle model to the characterization of different predictable development stages of family firms in different dimensions. For instance, the family dimension consists of four development stages including young business family, entering the business, working together, and passing the baton.. The ownership dimension consists of three development stages including controlling ownership, sibling partnership, and cousin consortium. Besides, the business dimension covers three development stages, ranging from start-up, expansion/formalization, to maturity.

Part II covers four cases of classic family business types and each family business type has unique organizational characteristics and different mounting challenges. The founder-run family firm has a paucity of talents and the competencies of the founder can influence whether family firms can be successful or not. The organizational structure is in a hub and spokes format because the family firm founder tends to involve himself with every business aspect. In the growing and evolving family business type, there are more family members who are connected to the family firm and common challenges in this stage of family firm development include consolidation of ownership control in the sibling generation, ownership distribution planning for family members in the next generation, business and organizational restructuring to initiate and sustain growth. The complex family firm is a multigenerational and cousin-owned family firm. According to Gersick, Davis, Hampton, and Lansberg, not more than 5% of family firms in the US reach this development stage and comparing with the founder-run and the growing and evolving family business types, family firm in this development stage has considerable complexity in terms of ownership, family, and business. The key to effective management of family shareholder issues is to establish a well-designed board of directors and family council. Since emotion residue of cousin-owned family firm is died down, there are more and more internal struggles over recognition, power, and money among family members. As the cousin-run family firm has reached its maturity in business development, it has to be more responsive, innovative, and disciplined in leadership and business development. In the fourth classic business type of family firms, succession becomes an important journey and the tradition of primogeniture and equal distribution of assets among family members is still a common succession form. The formulation of a shared dream among family members can provide key foundation for the survival and growth of family firms after post-succession.

Part III of the book covers two key topics pertinent to best practices of family firms and family firm consultation. Gersick, Davis, Hampton, and Lansberg suggest that a well-designed board of directors, shareholders meeting and family council become effective information-sharing routines and governance structures when more and more family members are connected to ownership and business development of the firm. Skilled consultants in general management, financial planning, law, insurance, estate planning, and family therapy can be hired when family firm owners are need of professional advice. The last chapter also provides basic principles for family firm consultants to undertake consulting work with family firms.

This book helps readers to have a full understanding of the salient features of family firms. Like other non-family firms, family firms have heterogeneous cultural types, ownership forms, governance structures, business development strategies in different development stages. The three-circle development model is a very useful analytic tool to shield light on why some family firms can survive and grow whereas others cannot last for years. This book is highly recommended to family entrepreneurs who intend to sail along their family businesses from generation to generation and to business executives from non-family firms and professional consultants who have to undertake business with family firms.

Family Business Types, Managing, Growing and Governance
A very well methodical approach on issues relating to governance of a family business which invariably covers multi-dimensional issues of emotions, tradition, moving forward and competing interests. Short of meeting John Davis himself, this is a good guide for a 'family' business.John Davis with his experience over more than 30 years consulting family businesses world wide crystalises some hard issues family enterprise deals with. It covers Dimensional development model of Ownership, Family and Business as well as the 4 Classic Family Business Types right through to Managing the developing a family business. It can be a good guide not only to family businesses but also those who work closely with or for family businesses such as consultants and key employees.

Great framework for family business
This book provides a great framework on family business. Started my career in a family business, I have my share of understanding on family business. Typically, there are some mixed ups on personal emotion and professionalism. By using the framework discussed in the book would help folks in family business to focus more on business, less on personal emotion.

A 'must-read' for the whole family !!
"Generation to Generation", published by Harvard Business School Press, is an attempt to model how family businesses work in essence. The authors' research include interesting vignettes and 'lessons-learned' from a variety of families; how they achieved their goals, how they resolved conflicts between family members etc. Since the topic of family business in academics is fairly new, this book can be considered as one of the best in its field.

Important topics (such as succession, development stages and inter & intragenerational issues) are covered in detail to enlighten the reader. Contrasting viewpoints are also included to make the reader think for his or herself.

In general, the book is fairly easy to read since it explains the modeling theory with examples from numerous enterprises.
I strongly recommend it all who are destined to work in the complex system called family business. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
The challenge faced by family businesses and their stakeholders, is to recognise the issues that they face, understand how to develop strategies to address them and more importantly, to create narratives, or family stories that explain the emotional dimension of the issues to the family. The most intractable family business issues are not the business problems the organisation faces, but the emotional issues that compound them. Applying psychodynamic concepts will help to explain behaviour and will enable the family to prepare for life cycle transitions and other issues that may arise.

Here is a new understanding and a broader perspective on the human dynamics of family firms with two complementary frameworks, psychodynamic and family systematic, to help make sense of family-run organisations. Although this book includes a conceptual section, it is first and foremost a practical book about the real world issues faced by business families.

The book begins by demonstrating that many years of achievement through generations can be destroyed by the next, if the family fails to address the psychological issues they face. By exploring cases from famous and less well known family businesses across the world, the authors discuss entrepreneurs, the entrepreneurial family and the lifecycles of the individual and the organisation. They go on to show how companies going through change and transition can avoid the pitfalls that endanger both family and company. The authors then apply tools that will help family businesses in transition and offer their analyses and conclusions.

Readers should draw their own conclusions from careful examination of the cases, identifying the problems or dilemmas faced and the options for improved business performance and family relationships. They should ask what they might have done in the given situation and what new insight into individual or family behaviour each case offers. The goal is to avoid a bitter ending. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A perceptive psychological analysis of family businesses
James Michener begins his novel "Hawaii" with the splitting of a cell. This trio of psychologists doesn't go that far, but the authors do lay an extensive framework for applying psychoanalytic psychology, systems analysis and family therapy to the family business arena. getAbstract thinks that this serious text may be more of a resource for therapists, counselors and consultants than reading material for people who take only a casual interest in family businesses or who are looking for a quick fix. Authors Manfred Kets de Vries and Randel Carlock, writing with Elizabeth Florent-Treacy, delve deeply into the human dynamics that affect family-run companies, including the psychology of the individuals involved, the characteristics of entrepreneurs and the business family-paradigm. They look closely at human and organizational life cycles, and study how emotional volatility intensifies in times of transition. The authors make generous use of case studies, diagrams and models, and demonstrate how they've applied their methodology to advise troubled family businesses. ... Read more

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"The Handbook of Research on Family Business" provides a comprehensive first port of call for those wishing to survey progress in the theory and practice of family business research. In response to the extensive growth of family business as a topic of academic inquiry, the principal objective of the Handbook is to provide an authoritative and scholarly overview of current thinking in this multidisciplinary field. The contributors examine recent advances in the study of family business, which has undertaken significant strides in terms of theory building, empirical rigour, development of sophisticated survey instruments, systematic measurement of family business activity, use of alternative research methodologies and deployment of robust tools of analysis.A wide selection of empirical studies addressing the current family business research agenda are presented, and issues and topics explored include: validation of the protagonist role that family firms play in social-economic spheres; operational and definitional issues surrounding what constitutes a family business; historical development of the field of family business; methodologies encompassing micro and macro perspectives; and, challenges to the orthodox microeconomic view of homo-economicus firms by highlighting the virtues of family influence and social capital. Comprising contributions from leading researchers credited with shaping the family business agenda, this Handbook will prove an invaluable reference tool for students, researchers, academics and practitioners involved with the family business arena. ... Read more

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This is a concise, yet complete handbook for starting a successful organic farm based on the community-supported agriculture concept. Written for farmers and non-farmers alike, the books illustrates how “two middle-aged novices” are making a decent living on less than two acres of land. Bob and Bonnie found few resources applicable to their situation when they began researching making their farm dream a reality and the book originally stemmed from their own desire to help others by sharing universal guidelines on small farm start-ups. The model explained in the book is an updated version of the diverse market gardens/farms found throughout recorded history. Not just a theory book, it details specific tools, techniques and how-to information. The Gregsons share sound advice, along with specific tools, marketing techniques, and planning guidelines, such as start up requirements, business plan basics, the importance of value-added products, choosing the best equipment and supplies, and more. The core of their operation, the subscription system, is examined in detail, with sound recommendations and guidelines for implementation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Location dependent
Aside from its wonderful inspirational value, the book is valuable mostly if you live in the right location to start such a project.This should be noted up front because if you live in a poor economic area where people can't afford subscriptions, you will not be able to make a go of it as it is described.Living in the Seattle area as the writers did, where many people appreciate organic foods and have the means to afford them, will of course make a better place for such a farm then let's say the backwoods somewhere where people have a hard time making ends meet.My point being that your location weighs heavily on the success of your organic farm. The potential buyer needs to know this before purchasing this book. ... Read more

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With more and more children being cared for in a familychild care setting, it is no longer a market that can be taken forgranted. Quality, prices and procedures are just a few of theimportant issues that matter the most to current and prospectivecustomers. With this in mind, caregivers are faced with the challengeof setting their family child care apart from the rest.

Learn how to spread the word about the benefits of your quality childcare services! The Family Child Care Marketing Guide will help youmaximize your enrollment and income and find inexpensive ways topromote your business. Learn from dozens of marketing tips, includingways to use current parents to help attract new parents, how toclose the sale with prospective parents, where to advertiseeffectively, and more. This 120-page guide is perfect for newproviders or experienced professionals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A "Must Have" for beginners.
We operate a child care in Brazil and this book really helped us to became a business. Much more than a marketing guide this "manual" will give you good examples, nice and practical ideas and the confidence that you need to deal with all kinds of clients.
Congratulations Mr. Copeland, this is what I was looking for.
Good Price. Good information. Great buy.

Promoting excellence !
This was the first book I bought before starting my child care business. One of the first concerns of a child care provider is enrollment. this book give all sorts of ways to not only promote but also how to keep the parentsyou already have. This book along with his other titles will help you tobulid a very great child care business, for yourself as well as thechildren. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Down-to-Earth Guide for 'Subscription Farming'
The Gregson's passion for both organic farming and community supported agriculture is evident throughout the book. Best of all, they don't try to gloss over the less pleasant aspects of growing organically for a living.Anyone even dreaming about small scale farming will benefit from theirexperiences and examples.

Lots of information for the 1st-time, small acreage farmer
The Gregsons came from an urban life out to make a small farm. Through many trials and errors (which they humbly share) they have found a successful formula for earning a sustainable income from a few acres. Thisis a must read for anyone considering a CSA farm. ... Read more

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How can you get to the bottom of workplace behaviors that simply don't work for you or your organization?

Don't Bring It to Work explores what happens when patterns originally created to cope with family conflicts are unleashed in the workplace.?This groundbreaking book draws on the success of Sylvia Lafair's PatternAware program Total Leadership Connections. Throughout the book she shows how to break the cycle of pattern repetition and offers the tools that can turn unhealthy family baggage into creative energy that will foster better workplace associations and career success.

Lafair identifies the thirteen most common patterns that correspond to characters familiar to anyone who has ever worked in an office: Super Achiever, Rebel, Persecutor, Victim, Rescuer, Clown, Martyr, Splitter, Procrastinator, Drama Queen or King, Pleaser, Denier, and Avoider. To help overcome destructive behavior problems, she maps out the three main steps for becoming aware of patterns and finding the way OUT:

• Observe your behavior to discern underlying patterns
• Understand and probe deeper to discover the origins of these patterns
• Transform your behavior by taking action to change

The book includes a wealth of real-life anecdotes and practical, workbook-style exercises that clearly show how anyone can get beyond old, outmoded attempts at conflict resolution and empower themselves to make profound differences both at work and in their personal lives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (52)

Communication is key.
Sylvia Lafair has provided us "the readers" with the knowledge and courage to identify our patterns and move towards positive change. After reading, "Don't Bring It to Work", I was not only able to identify my own personal negative patterns, I had the insight on how others were able to push my buttons and how to do a "pattern interrupt". This tool has been beneficial in my work and home life. I am able to communicate my thoughts more clearly and this makes for much more productive work meetings and more enjoyable family dinners.

Truth Telling
Communication is a huge part of my job and before reading "Don't Bring It to Work" my daily interaction with some co-workers was negative and very uncomfortable. A friend directed me to this book and page 170,"Truth telling resembles a martial art in that it takes tremendous discipline; it's not just a punch here or a jab there." spoke volumes to me. So many of us when we are angry or disappointed do indeed as Sylvia says, "spill our guts." Sylvia provides great tools to use when situations arise that may cause our unhealthy patterns to show. One tool Sylvia provides is asking yourself "How can this forward the situation and make a positive difference?". I keep this in the back of my mind, when speaking with my co-workers and the negativity and uncomfortable situations have decreased to the point there are non-existent. I highly recommend this book.

Breaking OUT
When my wife gave me this book my first thought was, "Great, a bug squasher, just what I wanted, who needs Mets tickets anyway." However, I noticed a change in my wife which intrigued me, and when I called her out on this, she simply said, "Read the book."

As I finally began reading, "Don't Bring It to Work", I started seeing my patterns. I started observing my own behavior when I was around my co-workers and family. Then something clicked with me and I finally understood why I felt the way I did around certain people and situations. I have now been working on transforming my behavior patterns and I really like my new perspective and vision of work and my family.

You don't always get what you want, sometimes you get what you need. "Don't Bring It to Work" is what I needed to move forward with my work and my family.

Don't Bring It to Work
Don't Bring It to Work was the change agent I needed to gain perspective and focus in my life. It gave me the tools to Observe my behavior, Understand the root of the behavior, and Transform the behavior pattern.

Through the personal stories of others, I could see my own story and this has allowed me to be a better employee, a better wife, and a better mother.

Thank you Sylvia!!


Don't Bring It to Work: Breaking the Family Patterns That Limit Success

Sucess Made Simple
In this book, Sylvia Lafair shoots from the hip and gets to the heart of the patterns and behaviors that influence the work place.The descriptions of patterns, and the potential for their transformation, will continue to resonate long after you have finished reading the book. ... Read more