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 […]
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 […]
NEWS: The role of parenting styles in family firms
Much has been written about the challenges of separating personal and professional roles in family-owned firms, but instilling family values and leadership qualities begins even earlier. This article presents findings from a recent study of 119 successors serving as CEOs in their family firms and 145 employees working directly with them to identify which parenting […]
What do shareholders of family firms deserve?
As family businesses transition across generations, a distinct type of shareholder emerges: one who only own shares while playing no role on its executive board or leadership team. The concept of responsible and committed ownership has increasingly gained traction in recent years, guided by the principle of stewardship. This vision underscores the critical need for […]
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 […]
NEWS: The messy Murdoch succession drama, explained
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp is navigating a court case that will impact the company’s future by determining how its voting shares will be divided among his four eldest children. The outcome of the succession process could have major implications for his media empire, as well as its role in shaping U.S. and global politics. The […]
Leaving a legacy: the importance of instilling shared values
The ultimate goal of any family business is to create a legacy for future generation. To achieve this, family firms strive to ensure that the wealth they generate (or inherit) grows on a solid financial foundation for the benefit of their descendants. But there’s more to it than that. Even more important is their ability […]
Our mission: offering integral support for family-owned firms
It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as the new holder of IESE’s Chair of Family-Owned Business, which in 1987 became the first of its kind in Europe. Deep ties to family business Throughout the years, the Chair has witnessed profound shifts in the global business landscape while remaining true to its […]
2023-24 Annual Report
As another academic year winds down, we are pleased to share our 2023-24 Annual Report, a showcase of the Chair’s ongoing efforts to serve the global family-business community. On a personal note, this post also marks my last as the holder of the Chair of Family-Owned Business. Starting September 2024, Prof. Álvaro San Martín will […]
Succession, succession and succession
Sooner or later, all family businesses face succession processes. Ideally, these are founded on professional criteria and approved by both predecessors and successors. The lack thereof is an all too frequent mistake and the most common source of conflict in family-owned firms. Movie: YES. Ongoing series: NO A generational handover should be framed as a […]
