Special Issues - Family Business

Special Issues affecting Family Business

Family Businesses comprise over 80% of all registered Australian businesses. They employ around 50% of the total Australian workforce and generate over 60% of our Gross Domestic Product.

Their sense of pride, passion and professionalism often drive these businesses to enormous heights, which provides good cause for celebration.

On the downside many of these businesses are inherently (and sometimes dangerously) egocentric, where the persona of the business can barely be separated from the persona of its proprietor(s) and where the inevitable separation, when it comes, can be utterly traumatic for family, staff and other stakeholders.

Inter and intra-generational rivalry and outright conflict are regrettably common features of the family business environment.  Mishandling the situation often leads to legal fights, destruction of the business and the complete disintegration of the family.

When the heat is really on family members, friends and employees cannot approach the flame without getting seriously burned.  This is the time to call in external, professional assistance - and don't even think of using advisers who are not family business specialists.

Dispute Solutions enjoys a close working relationship with Family Business Australia (FBA).  Apart from being long-standing members of the Victorian Executive, we have designed and run a multitude of workshops and presentations for the organisation since 1998, developing a number of world first family business conflict management and strategic planning processes on the way.

To get the full picture, please take a look at the following sections of this site:

• Special Issues
• Solutions & Strategies
• Family Business Conflict
• ArtiFac Process
• Family Constitutions
• Family Councils
• Succession Planning & Ownership Transition