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 […]
The purpose of work: when productivity becomes a religion
Guest contributor: Carolyn Chen Sociologist · Author · Professor of Ethnic Studies, University of California-Berkeley · Co-Director of the Berkeley Center for the Study of Religion Much has been written about the role of purpose in the realm of family business. But what happens when organizations take it too far? Prof. Carolyn Chen explores the […]
Purpose is strategy
According to Grant F. Reid, CEO and president of Mars, “Performance without purpose is meaningless, and purpose without performance is not possible. It’s the magic combination.” For Mars CFO Claus Aagaard, “Private ownership provides a great platform to live our purpose as we can do the right things and faster without the worry of the […]
A sense of purpose in family-owned firms
“The importance of serving stakeholders and embracing purpose is becoming increasingly central to the way that companies understand their role in society. A company cannot achieve long-term profits without embracing purpose and considering the needs of a broad range of stakeholders.” – Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock This powerful message, directed at the […]
What’s the purpose of a shared family purpose?
“To whom much is given, much will be required.” This precept dates back to biblical times yet remains just as relevant as ever among multigenerational family firms. By distributing their wealth toward specific social causes and concerns – often unrelated to their core business – high-net-worth families can serve as powerful agents of change. On […]