Workplace Consultation Services

Family Business Consultation

There is no separating love and logic in a family business. Family and business issues often become intertwined and cause problems at work and at home. Through our Family Business Consultation Services, Heidel and Associates seeks to identify the family and interpersonal issues and separate those from the management and operations of the business. This allows both the family and the business to function better.

The Case Study:

A father, now in his late 60’s, started a successful family business. He has just been diagnosed with cancer and fears he has only a short time to live. He must decide which of his three children should succeed him as president of the business.

One child already has a successful career outside the family business and has never expressed an interest in taking over her father’s work. The second child has worked as the second-in-command of the business, but has a poor interpersonal style and has alienated customers and employees. The third has worked in the marketing department of the business. For a time this third child was very successful but now seems to be abusing alcohol and having relationship problems. Both issues are having a negative effect on his performance.

The Questions:

• Should the owner sell his business or turn it over to one of his children?
• Which of his children is best-suited to lead the company into the future?
• How does the owner talk to his children about these decisions?

How Heidel and Associates Worked Toward Solutions:

After evaluating the business, talking with the owner and his three adult children, and analyzing the family dynamics, Heidel and Associates reported their findings to the owner. We made recommendations to insure the future success of the business. We worked with the founder to help him decide who should succeed him as president of his business. We also coached him about ways he could talk to each of his children about his decisions.