How to Overcome Succession Planning Challenges for family owned Businesses

Statistics show that family enterprise is the most common form of business ownership in the world. In Europe and Asia, some businesses have been family owned for 10+ generations, or several hundred years. In Canada, it is estimated that some 60% of the GDP is driven by family businesses that employ more than 6 million people. Ironically, research on family business have only gained significant traction over the past 50 years.

Many families that carry out business together feel isolated by the challenges of working in such a unique and personal environment. In reality, many families face the same complications regardless of the industry they operate in or the size of their business.

5 challenges of business succession planning

Here are five common challenges of business succession planning, of which with consistent effort and dedication can be overcome:

1. Limited capital

Just like non-family companies, family businesses must satisfy shareholders’ expectations. Occasionally, a family member may want to leave the business and be bought out of their ownership position. Family members are often motivated to avoid conflict and may be more willing to pay out capital that would otherwise be used for company growth, sometimes even at the expense of their own private wealth management and tax planning arrangements. Additionally, as the family business grows across generations, successors sometimes become accustomed to a very comfortable standard of living. The business that previously supported just the founder’s family may be in a situation where they may need to support multiple families for the siblings or even cousins.

2. Lack of preparation for the next-generation leadership

In many cases, no heir or successor is interested or qualified to lead the family business, and sometimes that is simply because the founder has not effectively prepared them for the challenge. Following in the footsteps of a very successful parent can be an intimidating prospect.

3. Inflexibility and resistance to change

What made the business successful in the past can sometimes get in the way of the company’s future. By nature, successful business leaders tend to be remarkably driven and committed to their ideas, which may make them inflexible and stifle growth. The leader needs to be open to new ideas from the next generation as the requirements for success can change over time, and the newcomers will typically have very different working styles from their predecessors.

4. Sibling successor conflict

Children of family business founders usually grow up observing their business leader or parent’s leadership style as a benevolent omnipresent personality that knew every aspect of the business, and as a result they may try to emulate that leadership style. When sibling behavior patterns that began in childhood are brought into the boardroom, things can get even more complicated. However, moving to a sibling leadership model requires a different leadership style that is more inclusive and consensus building.

5. Disparate family goals

As families grow and become older, their goals and values often evolve and become far more diverse. One family member may want to build the business for future generations while others may want to harvest the existing equity. Cousins who grew up in different households will usually share some values while being very different in other respects. Managing these different goals and values can be a significant challenge.

While there is no one secret formula to successively navigate a family business through the numerous family and business issues that will arise, there are best practices that help families deal with issues relating to the family business as they arise.

The three items below is one way to understand the interrelationships present in a family enterprise. Each item is a separate system but overlap in a family enterprise. Each item listed below must have its own governance, goals and objectives and must be aware of their order for success to be achieved.

Ownership circle board of directors/advisors

The CEO of the business reports to the board and the board reports to the shareholders. By having a diverse and complimentary board, the business benefits by having a clear and well thought out strategy, depth of experience for guidance and a reporting methodology. The board would hold the CEO responsible for implementation of strategy and management of the business.

Business circle – strategic plan

The process of creating the strategic plan best prepares management to see issues as they arise and respond in the best fashion. The process of planning is invaluable because it allows the management team to focus on the business’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Family circle – family councils

A family council allows the family to meet regularly and deal with their needs. Family unity can be achieved in many fashions, but to ensure full and open communication the family should establish its own constitution, councils, and regular meetings.

When these complications and challenges are managed well, family businesses can have tremendous advantages over non-family businesses 

Disclaimer:
This article is intended for general information only and is not intended to apply to any specific situations or to constitute legal advice.