Four siblings. Third generation. Twenty years ago, their father divided the shares in four equal parts: 25% each. It seemed fair at the time, and he wanted to keep peace in the family—and at first, he got his wish. But now the business is confronted with a major strategic decision: entering a new market, refinancing, […]
The four pillars of succession
John walked into the corner office. He had just been named CEO a week earlier, following his father’s unexpected death. He had spent twenty years working alongside him, preparing for that moment. He was the designated successor. And yet, sitting in that chair for the first time, he realized he had inherited the title, the […]
Why family businesses should develop people, not just create wealth
Co-author: Carlos Folle Professor of marketing and family business at IEEM Escuela de Negocios at the Universidad de Montevideo whose areas of expertise include go-to-market strategy and the governance, ownership and succession of family businesses. Much has been written about the symbiotic relationship between the family and the business. When scholars and advisors describe the […]
How to foster a family culture grounded in love and service
A father watches his older daughter patiently help her little brother tie his shoelaces. She doesn’t show off or give instructions; she’s simply there, helping him at his pace until he gets it right. This simple interaction captures something profound: in a family, love isn’t measured by how we feel but in what we do […]
Family businesses are far more than surnames and shareholdings
During a business school case session, a participant asked what seemed like a simple question: “Is this a family business?” The class began with standard definitions: family ownership, board control, multiple family members in management roles…Then someone made a remark that transformed the discussion: “A family business is one where the family actively strives to […]