Why do Family Businesses Fail?

The main cause of failure in most family businesses is unresolved family conflict. Failures in communication, difficult personalities and dysfunctional family dynamics all contribute to creating the conflict and then preventing effective communication to resolve it. 

Do any of the following statements sound familiar to you with respect to yourself or other family members in your business?

• How can I communicate my valuers, priorities and needs to the next generation?

• How do we leave the business to the next generation while securing our future?Which of my children should be the next leader? My kids have a sense of entitlement. My kids don’t work as hard as I do.

• My brother plays too much golf.

• My dad expects me to do things the same way he does them.

• Will my mother and father ever let go?

• I want more respect and recognition .Is equal really fair?

•  When we talk , it’s like we are competing, not discussing.

• I don't know how to convince my father I can do the job.

• How do I raise topics that are difficult to talk about?

Oftentimes, these rather simple topics and challenges continue to feature and grow into major conflicts because the participants in the family business cannot effectively communicate to resolve these issues.

The sad thing is that none of these types of matters is unique or new with resp[ect to family businesses and experienced consultants who have assisted other families work through these issues. Sometimes it just takes someone with an objective point of view to facilitate communications to resolve issues before they grow into proportions that threaten the continued viability of the business.

Are you a family business owner who is feeling dissatisfied with your business or your family members involved in the business?

We can help.

Call us for a no fee/no obligation consultation today!