When you sit down for an intergenerational conversation about the future of the family business, it’s essential to have multiple goals before you. For instance, maintaining healthy family relationships is as vital as ensuring the business's ongoing success during a period of transition.
Family conflicts often arise from differing opinions, visions, values, or unresolved issues. Emotions can escalate, clouding judgment and diverting focus from the goal of a successful transition. A structured approach not only aids in crafting a resilient succession plan but also fosters unity, ensuring that the business thrives and relationships are preserved for future generations.
In particular, having structured, intergenerational conversations can help your family address ten common issues, ensuring smoother transitions and superior outcomes.
10 Common Issues that Succession Planning Can Resolve
Vision for the Future
Each generation has its vision for the future of the business. Often, the founding generation wishes for their successors to continue doing things just as they have done, while the children or grandchildren long to do things their way. An intergenerational conversation can help to clarify expectations and aspirations, helping all stakeholders find common ground.
Roles and Responsibilities
Clarity on who will take on which roles and responsibilities after the transition is crucial. This includes defining new roles for outgoing members if they plan to stay involved, as is often the case with parents who wish to ease away from the business without being cut out of the loop entirely. A structured conversation helps everyone know their role and avoid overstepping.
Leadership Style
New management often involves a new leadership style, especially when successors have very different personalities or communication styles from their parents. Again, a structured, intergenerational conversation is imperative to ensure new leadership styles can seamlessly integrate into the family business.
Financial Expectations
Expectations regarding profit distribution, reinvestment, and personal financial planning are often contentious. Having a transparent financial discussion can help to eliminate misunderstandings.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict is bound to happen even in the most tightly-knit families and the most jovial business environments. A conversation about succession planning can provide an opportunity to discuss potential resolution methods, perhaps even introducing a process for third-party mediation.
Training and Development
Address the need for training and preparation for those taking on new roles, including the possibility of external education or internal mentoring. It is much better to clarify the expectations (and the available resources) before a new generation takes over.
Cultural and Value Differences
Generational shifts bring changes in company culture and values. These shifts must be managed carefully to maintain the company’s identity, even during a period of transition or evolution.
Retirement and Exit Strategies
Discussing retirement plans and exit strategies is essential for outgoing family members. This includes financial security and the emotional aspects of leaving the business. It’s good to help the older generation feel validated and supported while also allowing their successors a chance for empathy and understanding.
Legal and Estate Planning
Ensure all legal issues, including wills, trusts, and ownership documents, are addressed. Legal clarity can prevent any friction or conflict in the future. For this part of the conversation, it may be prudent to invite an attorney to be present.
Recognition and Legacy
Discuss how the contributions of outgoing family members will be recognized. It’s crucial to respect their legacy and to reinforce their lasting value to the company.
Have a Clear Conversation About Family Business Succession Planning
Succession planning is vital to preserving your family business legacy and maintaining smooth relationships between the generations. If you have any questions about initiating these structured conversations, we’d love to help. Reach out to WhiteWater Consulting at your convenience!
