Family businesses have successfully been operating around the world from time immemorial. That success however, comes with unique struggles often arising from the complex blend of two systems: the family and the business. Family business owners understand the complexities of navigating the complicated human relationships involved in these two systems.
It is not infrequent that conflicts occur within the functioning of the family business. These conflicts are very complex, often intertwining layers of multi-generational relationships. Emotions run high and are deep seeded. The special dynamic that exists within the family business ecosystem often serves to facilitate the successful resolution of conflicts otherwise not achievable in other business structures.
The Cedar Group provides a safe zone where all parties involved in the family business can confidentially discuss the issues as they see them. We act as an unbiased, neutral third party to try and help you resolve the conflict.
Family business conflicts often involve the following issues:
Safely dealing with the past / Determining business strategy / Decision making protocol / Hiring & Firing / Siblings / Dealing with family members who refuse to join the family business / Spouses / Core Family vs. Married-in/ Aging parents / Family members who are not actively working in the business / Promotions of both family & non-family people / Selling out the business – having an Exit / Succession planning .... to name just a few.
There are many factors that play a major part in family business conflicts. These include cultural and gender factors, misaligned expectations, competing and conflicting interests, internal coalition building and power struggles, and faulty communication.
Among the problems that often manifest themselves in family business conflicts are: frequent fighting and bickering, passive as well as overt aggression, ineffective (often no) communication, high absenteeism, the blame game, harboring past unresolved family issues "living in the past", inflated sense of entitlement, the “spill-over” bringing work problems home and home problems to work, and many more.
If you are dealing with these types of problems give us a call, we can help.
