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case study

Family dynamics, family succession and the trusted adviser

February 23, 2021

Each family is unique. A concerted effort to understand the complex dynamics which exist within each family, between spouses, siblings and the generations, is an essential first step for family advisers. Without this understanding, it is much more difficult to help a family deal with succession issues, especially in the context of a family business with members sitting on the board.

Why do you really own your family business?

February 17, 2021

From the onset of the new millennium, business leaders have been increasingly interested in ‘purpose’—the idea that they might look beyond the profit motive alone to consider why the business exists and what purpose it serves.

The idea was given popular force by business author Simon Sinek, whose 2009 book Start with Why visualised business purpose as a ‘Golden Circle’—actually, three concentric circles, with WHY in the inside circle, HOW in the middle and WHAT in the outside circle.

Bacardi and Hardys: branding the family business

April 10, 2015

Two businesses that have recently launched marketing campaigns inspired by the families behind them are Hardys Wine Company and Barcardi. CampdenFB found out how the campaigns came about

Two businesses that have recently launched marketing campaigns inspired by the families behind them are Hardys Wine Company and Barcardi:

Hardys-Five Generations of Devotion

Hardys Wine Company

Why was the decision made to focus on the family heritage as part of the Five Generations of Devotion campaign?

Lausanne: where it’s at

September 1, 2003

Lausanne is widely acknowledged to be the family business capital of the world. With two major educational centres located there, IMD and the FBN, family businesses can feel assured that their educational and networking needs will all be met

Barbara Murray is Executive Director, the Family Business Network.
Joachim Schwass is Director, the IMD – Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch Family Business Center.
John Ward is the Wild Group Professor of Family Business at IMD (Switzerland).

Financial corporate governance

January 1, 2003

Good corporate governance should extend to all areas of a family business, including its philanthropic ventures

Robert R Patterson is a member of FBN in Lausanne and is a Principal of ASC Advisory Group, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.

Note: The article is based on several real-life cases, but names have been changed.

Good corporate governance should extend to all areas of a family business, including its philanthropic ventures

Brawling brothers

November 1, 2002

“Carl, this has gotten way out of hand!” Elaine Martino exclaimed to her husband Carl.

"Carl, this has gotten way out of hand!" Elaine Martino exclaimed to her husband Carl. "That was your doctor on the phone. He said that with all the stress and conflict going on at the factory, you are not to go back to work until further notice. He's afraid that your diabetes could lead to shock or a stroke. Carl, what are we going to do?"

How strategy is different for family businesses

January 1, 2002

Considerations for building a strategy for a family business are different to those of a non-family business. Melding the demands of the market with the values of emotionally connected owners creates superior business performance

"It's important to keep family and business separate. You don't want family circumstances to affect the business. Run the business like a business!"

This advice is frequently given to family business owners. It is quickly accepted by business leaders in the hope that the owning family will leave them alone to manage the business.