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Why is culture so important in a family business — and why do so many founders get it wrong?
Why is culture so important in a family business — and why do so many founders get it wrong? Why is culture so important in a family business — and why do so many founders get it wrong? Short answer: because they build a durbar, not a company. Bain & Company once surveyed 365 companies across Europe, Asia and North America. Their […]
Read moreA factory fire in Punjab : A Leadership Lesson for Family Businesses
A factory fire in Punjab : A Leadership Lesson for Family Businesses 🔥 A factory fire in Punjab taught me an important lesson about family business leadership. A few years ago, while consulting a family-owned business, I witnessed an incident that went something like this. A fire broke out in one section of the factory. The supervisor on the scene immediately raised the alarm, mobilized the firefighting team, and called the owner. “Sir, there […]
Read moreOne pattern stands out repeatedly in my work with Family Businesses
One pattern stands out repeatedly in my work with Family Businesses One pattern stands out repeatedly in my work with Family Businesses. A disproportionate amount of promoter time gets consumed in controlling payments. Not a strategy. Not evaluating new growth opportunities. Not building the next generation of leaders. Payments. In the early years […]
Read moreHave teamwork and trust in your family business become better or worse over the past 3 years?
Have teamwork and trust in your family business become better or worse over the past 3 years? Have teamwork and trust in your family business become better or worse over the past 3 years? And where will you be 3 years from now if allowed to drift? These are two uncomfortable — but critical — questions I often ask business families. The challenge is that deterioration in family relationships […]
Read moreThe right time to transfer ownership to next gen in a Family Business?
The right time to transfer ownership to next gen in a Family Business? Partners4Growth What is the right time to transfer ownership to the next gen in a Family Business? Last week, Mr. Hari Ram Agarwal (name changed) sat across from me in my study. He’s built a legacy over 40 years, but as he […]
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Family Run Businesses…to…Family Owned Professionally Managed Institutions
Family Run Businesses…to…Family Owned Professionally Managed Institutions “Family-run business” to “Family owned, Professionally managed institution” is the transition point where most founders fail. It isn’t for a lack of ambition. Professionalization is not a strategy exercise; it is a founder mindset transformation. And then came the real challenge: Scaling beyond the founder. That is where most […]
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CCTV Culture in Family Businesses
CCTV Culture in Family Businesses In my work as a Family Business Advisor, I frequently encounter what I call the “CCTV Culture”—an environment where every cabin and open-plan desk is monitored in real-time by the MD and family members. This is not management. This is surveillance.And it is counterproductive. Building a high-performing culture is the […]
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“If I don’t buy that Jaguar now… when will I?”
“If I don’t buy that Jaguar now… when will I?” “If I don’t buy that Jaguar now… when will I?” That was Amit (name changed), 35, the elder son of a Mumbai-based auto component manufacturer.He handled marketing and exports. Ambitious. Global exposure. And very clear about what success should look like. “What’s the point of […]
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The Battle Inside Every Growing Family Business
The Battle Inside Every Growing Family Business In the early days, the founder was a one-person army. Cash is tight. Survival is the only KPI that matters. The team? Loyal implementers. Hard-working. Committed. Generalists who do what needs to be done. They weren’t hired for domain depth — they were foot soldiers hired for grit […]
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A tragic real life story with lessons for all founders
A tragic real life story with lessons for all founders I recently reflected on a tragic story from the Covid era that serves as a stark warning for every self-made founder. Anil Agarwal ( name changed ) was a founder who was the definition of “self-made.” He worked day and night, building his empire – […]
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