Survival of the Fastest: Part I
Technology is supposed to make life easier, right? Sort of. In some cases, it’s true. Technology does make life easier. But it also makes life faster. And in the business world, faster can be the...
View ArticleSurvival of the Fastest: Part II
My last post focused on what family business members can do to beef up their adaptability within today’s global marketplace. In today’s post, I’d like to explore the business side of things. Is my...
View ArticleThe Greatest Show on Earth
Running a family business can feel like a three-ring circus at times. In ring number one, the Ownership Ring, we have our troop searching high and low for financial return. In ring number two, the...
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Conference Notes: How Safe is Your Family and Business?
The Family Business Center’s September 20 Conference, Playing it Safe: Protecting the Family Business in a Public World, proved to be one of the year’s best. A big thank-you to Frank Abagnale for his...
View ArticleMind Your Own Business! Part 1: Managing Privacy within a Family Business
We recently wrapped our September conference, Playing it Safe: Protecting the Family Business in a Public World, and ever since I’ve been keenly aware of my own privacy. Shredding documents, swiping a...
View ArticleMind Your Own Business! Part 2: Preparing the Next Generation
In my previous blog post, Mind Your Own Business, Part 1: Managing Privacy within a Family Business, I introduced readers to Peterson Manufacturing, a second generation family business who ran up...
View ArticleConference Notes: FBN International Summit in Review
Thirty-eight Members of the Family Business Center made the trek to Jolly ole’ England this month for the Family Business Network (FBN) International Summit. Over the course of four days, nearly 800...
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Conference Notes: Finding Your Own Work-Life Balance
Last week, the FBC hosted its final conference of 2012: Work-Life Balance from NowGen to NxG. Our speakers and panelists touched on a number of different topics, and shared insights and tips on how you...
View ArticleFamily Business Resolutions by Anne Smart, Guest Blogger
The start of a New Year brings with it hope and opportunities; it gives us a chance to reflect on what we’ve accomplished and ask ourselves where we want to go in the year ahead. Many family businesses...
View ArticleConference Notes: Building a High Performance Families
Last week, the FBC hosted its first conference of 2013: Building High-Performance Families. The day’s theme challenged attendees to answer an important, and sometimes overlooked, question: what is...
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A Night to Remember
Despite the stormy forecast last month, the FBC’s second-annual Summer Boat Cruise set sail on the waters of the Chicago River. Over 70 passengers kept dry aboard the Leading Lady, one of the newer...
View ArticleNxG: What’s your Authentic Leadership Style?
The FBC hosted its first-ever NextGen Networking Event at Chicago’s own City Winery. The venue served up a bevy of craft beer and wine, and gave all of our NxG attendees an after-work hangout to eat,...
View ArticleConference Notes: Taking the NxG to the Next Level
The FBC recently partnered with the Family Business Network-North America on its first conference of 2014: Taking the NxG to the Next Level: Key Strategies for Next- and NowGen. Over the course of two...
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Celebrating FBN-I’s 25th Anniversary in Paris
Amidst an array of hors d’oeuvres, French culture, and breathtaking Parisian sights, Family Business Network chapters from around the world came together for FBN-I’s 25th Anniversary in Paris this past...
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NxG: Get Social
It was a relaxed, social evening as up-and-coming NextGens gathered at Chicago’s sheek Epic Restaurant this past week to mingle and share their family business experiences during NxG: Get Social. While...
View ArticleConference Notes: Leveraging Values in a Family Business
Family values permeate the culture at McKee Foods. Integrity, quality, productivity, responsibility, people, and innovation. They act as a kind of compass–a set of guiding principles for both...
View ArticleConference Notes: Children of Wealth: Fact vs. Fiction
There are a number of assumptions around children of wealth. Some true, some not so true. Ed Monte, founder and principal of the Family Solutions Group, had a candid conversation with me sharing key...
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A Day at the Races
This year’s FBC Member Social was an afternoon filled with family fun, memories, and anticipation as bets were placed and the horses raced for the winning title at Arlington International Racetrack. As...
View ArticleConference Notes: Children of Wealth: Fact vs. Fiction
There are a number of assumptions around children of wealth. Some true, some not so true. Ed Monte, founder and principal of the Family Solutions Group, had a candid conversation with me sharing key...
View ArticleFamily Unity: A Family Business Core Strength
In a family business, family unity is critical to grow and maintain wealth across generations. While this might sound obvious, many families lack strong family unity, leaving the business vulnerable...
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