Family Business, Where are You Taking This Rocket You’ve Built?

Unfortunately, many families become so involved in the day-to-day running of their business that they lose sight of their long-term aspirations.

Investing the time to develop and maintain a shared vision is crucial, as it ensures there are coherent beliefs in place to unify your family and business for the long term.

 Communication plays an integral role in developing a shared vision -- by regularly taking on board the long-term views and aspirations of its multi-generational members, a family business is better equipped to weather the seas of change from generation to generation.

However, failure to settle on a shared vision can have catastrophic consequences.

David Bentall, Former President and CEO at Dominion Construction Canada, gives an example (watch the full video over at Insights after you have logged in here).

“My dad and my uncle were building an enterprise and they each had a completely different vision. Where were they taking this rocket ship they’d built? …Tragically, looking back on it, it became a contest of wills. My dad and my uncle, after working with each other for 40 years, lost their relationship and the family business was ultimately sold.”

Establishing a structured way of discussing and reviewing the family, its capital and values, can help to resolve hidden conflicts like this before they cause damage.

It results in a more harmonious family and business culture, as everyone recognizes their interdependence and takes better care to maintain their relationships. Because everyone is equally invested – and equally accountable – for the direction the business is heading in, family members feel rewarded for any future success in ways that they genuinely value.

Successful development of a shared vision often involves asking one simple question: why do we choose to be in business together? By constantly looking to address this question through open, clear communication, a family business can adjust its direction according to feedback, putting itself in a strong position to sustain its long-term legacy.

 Contact us to find out how we help family businesses create their shared vision.

Or here is Our 5 Step Solution for how we help family businesses.