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 […]
Annual Report 2024-25
Between academic sessions, new research, conferences and ongoing dialogue with all of you, the Chair of Family-Owned Business made significant strides over the past academic year. We hope you enjoy our Annual Report 2024-25, a showcase of our most important achievements over the academic year in support of the owners, leaders and collaborators of family […]
The importance of adaptive intelligence in family firms
In a world where change is the only constant, our greatest risk isn’t ignorance, but certainty. In my recent Forbes article, I highlight the importance of Adaptability Quotient (AQ): the ability to adjust and pivot when reality doesn’t align with our expectations. AQ is essential for leaders of all types of organizations, but especially in […]
1 in 3 family offices in Spain will face a generational shift over the next 10 years
According to the “Discovering to the Spanish family office” by OpenWealth (Grupo CaixaBank) and finReg360, 35% of family offices in Spain will face a generational shift over the next 10 years, making a solid succession plan essestial to ensuring their long-term success and sustainability. One in three family offices in Spain will be facing a […]
2nd IESE-IEF Family Business Forum for Reflection: insights from the front lines
On May 30, we welcomed nearly 200 owners and leaders of family-owned firms to our Barcelona campus for the 2nd annual IESE-IEF Family Business Forum for Reflection. Under the theme “Building the Future: Key Moments in the Evolution of the Family Business,” the event featured a roster of top-caliber speakers from diverse companies and industries, […]
Financial activism and family business
The phenomenom of financial activism has broadened its reach, no longer reserved for U.S.-based companies or large multinationals. More and more, activist funds–especially hedge funds–are buying stakes in companies they consider “mismanaged” or under-optimized, aiming to force changes in their strategy and governance, and in some cases, even their shareholder structure. Hedge funds and family […]
Family as a value in family business
When I meet a business family, I usually start by asking about their values. With one notable exception, when my query was answered with a portfolio of stock market investments–naturally I had to redirect the conversation–most open up by sharing their personal values and those they hold as a family. In my dealings with successful, […]
EVENT IESE-IEF on May 30: “Key Moments in the Evolution of Family Business”
Don’t miss the 2nd IESE-IEF Forum for Reflection! Mark your calendar for May 30, when we will convene leaders, experts and scholars on IESE’s Barcelona campus to debate the key moments that define the future and continuity of family businesses. If you are an owner, executive or collaborator of a family-owned firm, be sure to […]
WHAT’S NEW: Corporate culture, your secret sauce for strategic success
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Even though this business quote is cited often, organizations still seem to struggle with making practical sense of it. For family-owned firms, investing in corporate culture is a strategically savvy move—and one that family businesses are uniquely positioned to make. Your secret sauce for strategic success Homepage image: Walls.io on […]
ESG pay in family businesses: what boards and CEOs need to know
Co-author: Jessenia Davila, Post-Doctoral Researcher at IESE Environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria have become an established practice in the corporate landscape, leading more firms to tie executive compensation to ESG performance. Known as ESG pay, this approach is transforming incentive structures and redefining the meaning of success at the top. But for the leaders […]
Optionality: Thriving in an uncertain future
In an era marked by trade tensions, disruptive technologies and shifting global priorities, the ability to adapt quickly can be a decisive advantage. As businesses grapple with ever-changing conditions, one approach deserves special attention: optionality. Popularized by Nassim Nicholas Taleb–former Wall Street trader, scholar and author of The Black Swan and Antifragile–optionality entails keeping multiple […]
