Growth strategies: how alliances can boost the performance of family-owned firms

In today’s fast-paced global environment, growth isn’t an option for family businesses: it’s an imperative to ensure their long-term success and continuity. This reflection and the role of strategic alliances were in the spotlight at the first Family Business Forum for Reflection, organized recently by IESE and the Instituto de Empresa Familiar. This article, written […]

Inditex, Mango and H&M join forces for the circular economy

Spain’s fashion heavyweights have joined forces to promote the circular economy. Inditex, Decathlon, H&M, Ikea, Kiabi, Mango and Tendam recently created a new association to manage textile and footwear waste generated in the Spanish market. The initiative offers a good exmple of family businesses coming together for the common good. Alianza entre Inditex, Mango y […]

Leschaco, bridging borders since 1879

Constantin Conrad (MBA-18) and Charlotte Conrad Palermo (PMD-23) share their experiences as third-generation leaders of the Leschaco Group, a global logistics service provider with operations in 24 countries and €1.2 billion in annual revenues. The origins of our family business date back to the late 1940s, when our grandfather Herbert Conrad joined Lexzau Scharbau as […]

UPCOMING EVENT: IESE-IEF Foro de Reflexión para Empresarios

The Foro de Reflexión is a collaboration between IESE’s Chair of Family-Owned Business and the Instituto de Empresa Familiar designed to foster and support family business initiatives in key areas of development. On Wednesday, February 14, IESE’s Madrid campus will gather experts and entrepreneurs to exchange experiences and expand knowledge on best practices regarding “Alliances […]

The role of an external director

In my last article published in October 2023, I raised the issue of external directors by saying they could either be independent or not. It’s not a question of how much they’re paid, as some people think: it’s far more complex and multidimensional than that. Let’s start by clarifying these two concepts. External versus independent […]