Family businesses form the cornerstone of the global economy. Their ability to create employment, drive innovation and enhance social cohesion also makes them a key player in the transformation toward a more sustainable world. That said, the social dimension of ESG (environmental, social and governance) in family-owned firms remains a challenge both in terms of […]
Family business: overcoming hurdles at key crossroads
All family businesses that have effectively navigated generational handovers have faced similar challenges. One way of analyzing these challenges is through the lens of different generations, since the obstacles encountered by first-generation companies differ significantly from those faced by second, third or subsequent generations. Statistics according to the business life cycle According to data from […]
What should companies expect from their family shareholders?
Last November, I offered some reflections regarding what family shareholders deserve from their family business. This article takes the opposite approach: what do family businesses deserve from their family shareholders? The answer is clear: responsible and efficient performance. As is often the case, this is easier said than done. Let’s start with the essence of […]
NEWS: Smarties candy, 75 years of sweet success
Liz Dee, co-president of the New Jersey-based candy company Smarties, shares how her family-owned business maintains authenticity and relevance in a crowded marketplace, as well as the leadership advice she chose to ignore. Her Company Makes an Iconic 75-Year-Old Candy Popular for Halloween. Ignoring This ‘Bad’ Leadership Advice She Received Helps Drive Its Success […]
The potential of growth equity for family businesses
The private equity (PE) landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, offering family businesses new opportunities for growth without compromising their core values. Family firms have historically been wary of PE, which often conjures images of aggressive cost-cutting, loss of control and a focus on short-term financial gains. This perception is not without merit: in […]
NEWS: Mango faces challenges in leadership succession and future direction
Following the sudden passing of Isak Andic, the founder and non-executive chairman of Mango, the Spanish fashion multinational faces its most critical challenges since its establishment in 1984. Following death of founder: Challenges Mango now faces in leadership succession and future direction Homepage image: Mango
Happiness as a strategic pillar
Far more than an abstract ideal, happiness a fundamental condition for both individual and collective success. Martin Seligman, a global authority in positive psychology, offers the PERMA model as the foundation of well-being, built upon five core components: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment. As a professor specialized in human behavior within organizations, I’ve […]
Corporate governance in family firms: 7 key concepts
The convergence of personal relationships and business objectives in family firms often gives rise to unique challenges and added complexities in their management and sustainability. In this context, solid corporate governance systems are critical to ensuring their long-term success. On November 7, IESE’s Madrid campus brought together renowned experts to analyze corporate governance as a […]
The evolving role of women in family business
Women are increasingly stepping into senior-level roles in family-owned firms, bringing a distinct leadership style that blends strategic acumen with an ability to balance both family and business dynamics. This article explores the growing influence of women in family-owned firms, the challenges they face and new opportunities on the horizon. Female leadership in family business […]
Navigating reputation: a delicate balance for family firms
For family businesses, reputation is everything, past, present and future. It’s about maintaining a positive image today, while preserving a legacy that can be passed down through generations. More so than non-family firms, where the business and employees’ personal lives often occupy separate realms, family firms are deeply connected to their reputation. This also makes […]
