Ownership

The many complex considerations of ownership can be simplified and streamlined by developing a plan that helps owners understand their individual roles and responsibilities and speak with one voice.

This means:

1. Developing an owners' plan: a unified statement of the owners' values, needs and goals, how the owners will work as a group, and what kind of board arrangement they want
2. Resolving ownership conflicts
3. Developing and implementing succession and transition plans
4. Identifying how everyone will be involved

Management

A company that transitions effectively and is able to respond to the values, needs and goals of the owners does so by developing and implementing a comprehensive management plan.

This includes:

1. Recognizing and solving problems that impede transition, and guiding the process of change
2. Developing a plan to transition senior generation roles and responsibilities
3. Working with owners and family members employed in the business
4. Building organizational structures and management teams
5. Preparing the company for growth
6. Raising the standards for individual behavior, performance and communication
7. Developing strategic plans, annual plans and performance-review systems that are integrated

Boards

Transition planning will be more effective when the owners agree upon and endorse a board structure and process.

This is achieved by:

1. Helping owners understand how board decisions are made in their business
2. Helping owners and managers understand what boards do
3. Designing and building board arrangements and processes that facilitate transition
4. Establishing and developing boards of directors and/or advisory groups based on the owners' needs and goals

Family

A successful family business hinges on establishing an agreed-upon structure and process for family members working together.

This is done by:

1. Developing family business policies
2. Developing family councils
3. Asking their professional advisors to be part of the transition team