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 […]
Deloitte “Defining the family business landscape” report
A recent Deloitte survey of 1,587 senior leaders from family-owned firms with at least USD 100 million in revenue provides compelling insights on their approach to growth, governance and long-term sustainability. The report also draws on interviews with 30 experienced leaders, who share how their family firms are navigating uncertainty and planning for the future. […]
IESE EVENT: Forging next-generation leaders in family firms
You are cordially invited to the March 2 Alumni session, “Acompañando y formando a las generaciones jóvenes de la familia empresaria.” Led by IAE Prof. Pedro Vázquez, the Spanish-language session will explore the opportunities, risks and educational considerations involved in preparing next-generation members to responsibly steward both wealth and family values. Date: Monday, March 2 […]
IESE EVENT: Families as responsible shareholders
Over the years, the Chair of Family-Owned Business has written extensively about one central idea: strong families don’t automatically evolve into strong owners. Solid values, commitment and a long-term perspective are real advantages of family ownership, but they only translate into sustainable performance when supported by robust governance. In many family firms, governance issues might […]
We have a succession plan—are we actually following it?
What happens when a family council agrees on a succession plan entailing both current and next-generation leaders, but some family members fail to follow through? Consciously or unconsciously, their day-to-day actions slowly deviate from what was agreed and expected. The result: the succession process starts to derail. Imbalances and interference come into play, leading to […]
Between prudence and paralysis: three strategies to advance in uncertain times
Reading the Harvard Business Review article “How to Lead When Things Feel Increasingly Out of Control,” I was struck by its particular relevance for family-owned firms—businesses often criticized for delaying critical decisions and missing opportunities amid uncertainty and volatility. This perception notwithstanding, many family businesses bring decades of hard-won experience in navigating uncertainty. They have […]
Agile and purpose-driven: the formula for economic growth in 2026
In a context of rising market volatility, agile and purpose-driven family-owned firms continue to outperform their peers, recording growth of 31% compared with 21%, according to PwC’s 2025 Global Family Business Survey. The 1,325 family businesses surveyed reported an increased emphasis on reputation and legacy, with 23% focused on stabilizing the core business, up from […]
Integrated family capital: the four pillars of genuine wealth
Guest collaborator: Pedro Vázquez Pedro Vázquez is an associate professor of business policy, academic director of the Center for Family Business, and holder of the Chair of Organizational Governance at IAE, located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. When the topic of business families arises, the conversation almost invariably turns to money: How much is the company […]
Four insights to maximize non-family leadership
The decision to integrate non-family executives into a family business is often described as a pivotal moment of “professionalization.” According to conventional wisdom—frequently reinforced by advisors—seasoned outsiders inject discipline and boost performance. While non-family managers are critical to the growth of many family firms, academic research shows that their positive impact is not automatic. Hiring […]
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 […]
