Family Business Consulting

Propel Your Family Business Forward While Preserving Relationships

Family businesses are the backbone of the American economy, but they come with a unique set of challenges that non-family businesses simply don’t face. At Business Whisperer, we help families clarify their needs, identify roles, and propel their businesses forward – all while preserving the relationships that matter most.

Two Categories of Challenges

1. Usual Business Challenges

Like any business, family-run companies face the standard challenges of performance, productivity, accountability, communication, profitability, and growth. These require proven strategies and experienced guidance to overcome.

2. Family-Specific Dynamics

What makes family businesses truly unique – and often more complex – are the family-specific dynamics at play. These include complex histories between family members, unresolved conflict, the difficulty of managing performance of family members, and the critical challenge of succession planning. These dynamics require a special sensitivity and skill set to navigate effectively.

The Role of a Family Business Consultant

1. Look Respectfully at the Needs of All Involved

   We begin by understanding every stakeholder’s perspective – from the founding generation to the next – with respect and without judgment.

2. Clarify Unified Vision, Mission, Values, and Goals

   We help the family align around a shared vision, mission, values, and goals that honor the legacy of the business while positioning it for future success.

3. Determine How Individual Needs Work Within the Business

   Each family member brings their own aspirations and talents. We help determine how those individual needs can be met within the context of the business.

4. Respect Family Dynamics While Managing Operations

   We navigate the delicate balance between family relationships and business operations, ensuring that personal dynamics don’t undermine business performance.

5. Assist Leadership in Managing “the Business of the Business”

   We help leadership separate family matters from business matters, creating clear boundaries and processes that keep the company running effectively.

6. Plan Exit Strategies and Manage Succession

   Whether the next generation is stepping up or an outside transition is planned, we develop comprehensive exit strategies and succession plans that protect the business and the family.