Category Archives: Strategic Planning

Keeping the Family Business Innovative

Strategic Planning

“either be at the table, or be on the menu”

Turning a family farm into an amusement park, a funeral home that doubles as a wedding chapel, or a furniture store that has an IMAX theater. Even the most ordinary businesses can be innovative.

To keep the business growing past the initial wave of success you have to try new things. You have to remain entrepreneurial and keep innovating. Staying still is no longer an option. It’s especially challenging in a family business where the founder is the idea person and the younger generation has to inherit these skills.  More…

ADVISORY BOARDS: Not Just for Big Companies Anymore.

Boards of Directors, Communication, Conflict Resolution, General Business, Inter-Generational, Outside Advisors, Sibling Rivalry, Strategic Planning • Tags: , , , , ,

DO YOU EVER catch yourself saying, “why change, we’ve always done it this way” or “I mentioned that idea before, but no one listened” and “I wish we could do this, but it would hurt his feelings?” As small businesses, we have a unique ability to make clear- cut decisions and not get caught up in the bureaucracy. Unfortunately, this same advantage also goes against us, when we are faced with growing the business and making critical decisions. Everything works well when we are in agreement with each other about the strategic direction of the business. But when we are not on the same page, we get bogged down making decisions and deciding on the direction of the business, because our personal feelings often get in the way and impede us. More…