Articles and Resources
We are happy to provide this extensive list of free resources and articles to the public. Click on any title to download the PDF.
Featured Articles
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Love, Power, Money and Sibling Rivalry
Explores two forms of sibling rivalry in family businesses. Understanding these dynamics is essential for siblings who share ownership or leadership of the family enterprise. Published in Tharawat Magazine.
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Seven Competencies for Next-Gen Leaders
From Wealth of Wisdom - Critical competencies that next generation family business leaders need to develop for successful transitions.
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Global Best Practices (FBN FoX)
Best practices for family businesses from the Family Business Network.
Transforming Communication
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Fostering Healthy Communications
Tools and techniques for fostering open, constructive communication among family members in business.
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The Family Council
How to establish and run a family council that facilitates communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
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The Family Forum
Creating effective family forums for communication and governance.
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Spouses and the Family Council
The role of spouses in family business governance structures.
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The Board and the Family Council
Understanding the relationship between the board of directors and family council.
Enhancing Leadership
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Succession Planning
A framework for developing and implementing a succession plan that ensures business continuity and family harmony.
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Successful Habits of Successors
Strategies for preparing successors, including education, mentorship, and gradual responsibility transfer.
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Successful Habits of Successors - Check Sheet
A practical checklist for successor development.
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The Marshmallow Effect - Joining Your Family Business
Guidance for next generation members considering joining the family enterprise.
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Mentoring: The Seven Habits
Key habits for effective mentoring in family businesses.
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Non-Family Management Succession
Planning for management succession when family members are not ready or available.
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The Non-Family Executive
How to attract, retain, and work effectively with non-family professional managers.
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The Prime Minister
The role of key non-family executives in family business leadership.
Creating Strategies
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Working On the Business
How to develop a strategic approach that balances business objectives with family values.
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Designing Legacies
Creating a lasting legacy for your family business.
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Designing Family Business Continuity
Steps for ensuring long-term business continuity across generations.
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The Perfect Storm
Navigating crisis situations in family businesses.
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Transition Planning - The Good News in a Bad Economy
Opportunities for transition planning during economic downturns.
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The Amazing Life
Balancing business success with personal fulfillment.
Building Responsible Ownership
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The Role of the Owner
Understanding the responsibilities and privileges of ownership in family businesses.
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The Voting Control Dilemma
Navigating voting rights and control issues in family enterprises.
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Outside Boards
Best practices for establishing and utilizing advisory boards in family-owned businesses.
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Great Family Businesses
What distinguishes the most successful family enterprises.
Sibling Partnerships
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Sibling Rivalry
How to address competitive dynamics between siblings in a way that strengthens rather than undermines the business.
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Business Partners Tool
A tool for building effective partnerships among family business co-owners.
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The Bermuda Triangle
Navigating complex family dynamics in business partnerships.
Wealth & Estate Planning
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Holistic Estate Planning
Integrating business succession with personal estate planning goals.
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Fair and Equitable
Navigating the challenge of equitable distribution when some children work in the business and others don't.
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Fair Pay
Establishing fair compensation practices for family members.
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Affluenza - Dealing with Family Wealth
How to raise financially responsible next-generation family members who will steward wealth wisely.
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Family Implications of Trusts
Understanding how trust structures impact family dynamics.
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Prenuptial Agreements
Protecting business assets through prenuptial agreements - excerpt from Love, Power and Money.
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Family Wealth Assessments
Tools for assessing family readiness to manage wealth across generations.
Family Employment
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Employing Family Members
Creating clear guidelines for family member employment in the business.
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The Application
Application and entry processes for family members joining the business.
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The Deal Sheet
Defining expectations and agreements for family employees.
Tools & Assessments
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Family Business Tool
A comprehensive tool for evaluating family business health.
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Family Business MRI
A diagnostic tool for family business assessment.
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Assessment Tool Research Paper
Research behind family business assessment methodologies.
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Family Business Assessment Index (FBAI)
Index for measuring family business effectiveness.
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10 Examples - Practice Makes Perfect
Case examples for family business learning.
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Taking Risks
Managing risk in family business decision-making.
Additional Resources
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The Dream
Articulating and pursuing the family business vision.
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Forums for Family Business
Information about peer advisory groups for family business leaders.
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Family Business Statistics
Key statistics about family businesses.
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McKinsey Summary - Inside the Family Business
Key insights from McKinsey research on family businesses.
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CFO Best Practices
Best practices for financial leadership in family businesses.