WORKING TOGETHER
When you tell people that you run a “family business,” how do they react? Chances are, they think one of two ways. They might assume you own a small, mom-and-pop business that makes ends meet with no real opportunity for growth. Or, they may assume you’re a powerful, driven family far too busy to ever sit down for a nice dinner with each other. However, you know that this is a false dichotomy. With the right frame of mind, the right structures in place, and compassionate guidance from people who know the unique challenges of working with loved ones, your family business can grow and prosper without sacrificing your most treasured relationships.
The health of your family should be your #1 priority as a family business owner. Working with family members can often feel like a never-ending game of Whack-a-Mole, with new problems popping up constantly both inside and outside of the business. Unhappiness at home can cause dysfunction in the office, which in turn exacerbates your familial drama in a constant negative feedback loop. The most successful family businesses work proactively on achieving a well-defined vision for both the family and the business, rather than merely reacting to problems as they appear, and this is why you may need the guidance of an expert on what makes family business uniquely challenging and uniquely rewarding. The B.O.S.S. system encourages you to organize and balance your business in way that all needs are not only heard, but actively considered, ultimately allowing for a successful business built by a healthy, functional family.
The health of your family should be your #1 priority as a family business owner. Working with family members can often feel like a never-ending game of Whack-a-Mole, with new problems popping up constantly both inside and outside of the business. Unhappiness at home can cause dysfunction in the office, which in turn exacerbates your familial drama in a constant negative feedback loop. The most successful family businesses work proactively on achieving a well-defined vision for both the family and the business, rather than merely reacting to problems as they appear, and this is why you may need the guidance of an expert on what makes family business uniquely challenging and uniquely rewarding. The B.O.S.S. system encourages you to organize and balance your business in way that all needs are not only heard, but actively considered, ultimately allowing for a successful business built by a healthy, functional family.
THE B.O.S.S. SYSTEM AND YOUR COMMON FAMILY VISION
The B.O.S.S. system provides structure and balance with a particular focus on making sure that your entire family’s values are accounted for while determining future goals for your business. When examining needs, you must remember that you are not “The Boss,” but rather that everyone in your family business should work to serve B.O.S.S. – Business. Others. Self. Stakeholders. (1): What does your Business need to not just survive, but thrive? (2): What do you want for your Other family members? They need to know you’re committed to helping them reach their business and life goals and be successful. No two family members have the same goals, values, and visions, and every member should have a reciprocal commitment to helping others achieve success, both inside the business and out. (3): What about the Self? What does each individual value in their own life, and what direction does each family member want to see the business headed? (4): Lastly, who are the other Stakeholders? Stakeholders in your business include other family members, employees, customers, vendors, board, and even the community. It’s likely that not everyone in your business is part of your family, and not everyone in your family is part of the business. What are their needs, both personal and professional, and how can the family support these needs? Every resolution should be win-win rather than win-lose, and this can happen by taking care of all stakeholders.
By coming together to examine each element of the B.O.S.S. system, your family can form a common family vision to unite your family. With this vision in place, your family has a reference point to measure success, strategize, and properly balance the needs of the family at home with the needs of the business. Rather than reactively focusing on problems as they occur, your family is now vision-focused. Instead of reinforcing win-lose dynamics and strict hierarchies of needs, your family is now ensuring that every step forward is a win-win for all those involved.
Your family is at the core of your business, and your business is often at the core of your family. Without proper attention, family dynamics can be the cause of some of your stickiest issues both in the office and at home. However, with the help and structure of the B.O.S.S. system, your family can stay healthy while running a thriving, successful company.
For more information on the B.O.S.S. system and more practical solutions to the problems unique to family businesses, contact Hubler for Business Families today to set up a free orientation meeting with Thomas Hubler, the expert on family business planning.
By coming together to examine each element of the B.O.S.S. system, your family can form a common family vision to unite your family. With this vision in place, your family has a reference point to measure success, strategize, and properly balance the needs of the family at home with the needs of the business. Rather than reactively focusing on problems as they occur, your family is now vision-focused. Instead of reinforcing win-lose dynamics and strict hierarchies of needs, your family is now ensuring that every step forward is a win-win for all those involved.
Your family is at the core of your business, and your business is often at the core of your family. Without proper attention, family dynamics can be the cause of some of your stickiest issues both in the office and at home. However, with the help and structure of the B.O.S.S. system, your family can stay healthy while running a thriving, successful company.
For more information on the B.O.S.S. system and more practical solutions to the problems unique to family businesses, contact Hubler for Business Families today to set up a free orientation meeting with Thomas Hubler, the expert on family business planning.
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