Ownership in a family business can be a rewarding and important role. It means stewardship, protection and nurturing the family business. As a guide for shareholders, this book will develop understanding and insight into the role of becoming more valuable as an owner, not just financially, but intellectually and emotionally as well.

Navigate the complex decisions and critical relationships necessary to create and sustain a healthy family business—and business family. Though "family business" may sound like it refers only to mom-and-pop shops, businesses owned by families are among the most significant and numerous in the world. But surprisingly few resources exist to help navigate the unique challenges you face when you share the executive suite, financial statements, and holidays. How do you make the right decisions, critical to the long-term survival of any business, with the added challenge of having to do so within the context of a family? The HBR Family Business Handbook brings you sophisticated guidance and practical advice from family business experts Josh Baron and Rob Lachenauer. Drawing on their decades-long experience working closely with a wide range of family businesses of all sizes around the world, the authors present proven methods and approaches for communicating effectively, managing conflict, building the right governance structures, and more. In the HBR Family Business Handbook you'll find: A new perspective on what makes family businesses succeed and fail A framework to help you make good decisions together Step-by-step guidance on managing change within your business family Key questions about wealth, unique to family businesses, that you can't afford to ignore Assessments to help you determine where you are—and where you want to go Stories of real companies, from Marchesi Antinori to Radio Flyer Chapter summaries you can use to reinforce what you've learned Keep this comprehensive guide with you to help you build, grow, and position your family business to thrive across generations. HBR Handbooks provide ambitious professionals with the frameworks, advice, and tools they need to excel in their careers. With step-by-step guidance, time-honed best practices, and real-life stories, each comprehensive volume helps you to stand out from the pack—whatever your role.

Successful ownership transition requires effective decision making at the top Engaged Ownership is the definitive owner's guide to the family enterprise. Whether you're taking over a family business, family office, or trust, this book shows you how to work effectively with the management and board to keep the enterprise moving in the right direction. The first guide of its kind written from the owner's perspective, this book is designed to help owners who are truly committed to growing all forms of capital be successful in their role. You'll learn the time-tested process that helps you 'unstick' decision-making, become engaged and effective, and manage the transfer from owner control to shared ownership while minimizing risk. Improve communication and relationships with the board, and ensure that every stakeholder understands your strategies and vision for the future. You'll allay the fears that frequently accompany ownership transfers, and inspire a sense of teamwork that leads to sustainable success generation after generation. As the Baby Boomers retire, business founders and entrepreneurs worldwide are transferring ownership of privately held enterprises to their children in record numbers. It can be a complex and difficult-to-navigate time for everyone involved. This book helps you smooth the way to a successful transition, and transcend the owner's traditionally passive role. Learn to work effectively with management and the board Get everyone on the same page in terms of vision and direction Build relationships that lead to forward-thinking decision making Succeed in the ownership role by bringing your expertise to the fore Ownership transfer often triggers a radical change in family enterprise, and if poorly managed, can turn a business in the wrong direction. Engaged Ownership shows you how to build a dynamic and effective partnership with trustees, board, and management, and become a successful steward of the family's financial, human, social, and operational capital.

Generation to Generation will help managers understand the special dynamics & challenges that family businesses face as they move through their life cycles. It explains how to handle succession, & the role of non-family professionals.

In Building a Successful Family Business Board , the authors show why private firms need the in-depth expertise and objective feedback that a well-chosen board, including qualified independent directors, can provide, and demonstrates how owners and directors can work together to ensure a long and profitable life for the firm.

The first ever comprehensive guide to family business succession planning. This book covers everything from what family business ownership is and how to structure ownership bylaws to business structure, leadership transition, and how a founder exits the business. Drawing on original research, case studies, and white papers, Family Business Succession is a thorough, complete, and "required reading" for every family member working in a family business.

This outstanding book provides you with a detailed look at family businesses, the most prevalent form of business in the world. Whether you are a business student, or a member of a family who owns a business, you will definitely benefit from this book, which leads with an introduction to the unique nature of family businesses. Inside, the author explores the many differences between a family-owned business and a nonfamily-owned business. He discusses the major family business theories and shows how family firms make business decisions. This book also defines the significant issues prevalent in family firms and explores the most problematic issue: the succession or the transfer of ownership to the next generation. If you are a professional advisor to family firms—such as accountants, attorneys, bankers, insurance providers, and financial services—you’ll undoubtedly develop a better understanding for your clients.

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 9 Elements of Family Business Success contains detailed case studies of specific challenges faced by real family business owners and employees. Each one explains how the owner or employee identified the problem and the steps he or she took to solve it. Apply Fishman's advice, and you'll experience all the benefits and avoid the pitfalls that come with running a family business.

Exploring both the psychological and practical underpinnings of family businesses, an experienced management consultant presents invaluable advice on minimizing conflicts and maximizing business success. Charts.

The authors explore how effective planning and communication helps business families around the world address growth challenges as they strive to become high performing multi-generation family enterprises. This book shows family businesses working together at their best.