Write Before You Fight

This e-book was created as a guide for rising generation members of the family enterprise who struggle to get traction and alignment around the planning and implementation of an intergenerational transition.Some are frustrated that they don't have a way to voice their ideas for diversification, innovation or sustainability of the family enterprise.  Many feel that the senior generation is reluctant to let go of the reins signaling a lack of confidence in the rising generation's capabilities.  Others face real obstacles to their involvement because of birth order or gender.Their concern is increasing.  There is a real danger that these would-be successors will either push too hard and disrupt family relationships, or totally back-off and leave the family business altogether.  The better option is to lead them through a proven approach to finding a unified path forward.An easy read at less than 60 pages, this guide isn't intended to be a Harvard or Ivey teaching case; it is a practical manual for following a proven process.The guide examines the journey to a positive outcome from the perspective of an intergenerational family that is representative of scores of families that have followed our proven approach.  It is offered as a process for both the rising generation and those mentors who are committed to helping these would-be successors increase their ability to understand and appreciate differing perspectives while in pursuit of a common interest.The primary purpose of the guide is not to illustrate how a mentor or advisor might help a family overcome every possible roadblock or hurdle, but rather to help the rising generation understand the importance of a family learning approach and how to follow the learning process.In addition to allowing the reader to experience the process, the embedded case illustrates the benefits of the rising generation working with a family enterprise mentor — one who understands the differing perspectives in a multigenerational organization and can act as a bridge between generations to facilitate difficult conversations and inspire action towards a common interest.   Read more