Where Family Businesses are Particularly Vulnerable

Research at the center and at Arthur Andersen survey1 (.pdf 178Kb) *Acrobat reveals surprising aspects about family businesses:

• CEOs remain 6 times longer in family businesses than in public companies
  • 90% of the CEOs are related to the founding family and change is not anticipated in 90% of these cases
• 55% of boards meet only once or twice a year; 20% NEVER meet
• 70% have NO written strategic plan
• 90% rate growth in net profit as the most important financial measure
• 35% of the companies have no debt; another 35% have debt less than 25% of equity

Based on these aspects, family businesses are likely to develop attributes that may be more negatively prevalent in them:

Possible Psychological Reasons:

• Paternalism fosters loyalty, dependence and uni-dimensional thinking.
  • Heritage imposes guilt on successors trying new things—dynasty wins over business rationale.
• Past success breeds self-satisfaction and hence denial of new realities.
• Loyalty promoted by paternalism and confidence in past business models generates a homogenous, in-grown management team.

Recommendations to Correct These Attributes—Focused on Externalization:

• Install an independent, challenging board and have it meet!
• Use outsiders in key management roles.
• Find room for some creative, even abrasive people (mix 'out-of-the box' thinkers with problem solvers).
• Compel managers to seek outside stimuli.

Take Away

Family Businesses have additional problems in implementing innovative change: these can be attacked in a methodical way.