Family Business Councils (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
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Advisors. “The organization eventually ends up dealing with a huge family with multiple branches, along with all kinds of potential claims to profits and decision making.” Talk It Out Many family business conflicts can be avoided—or overcome—through the efforts of a “family council”—a small group of related individuals who serve as a collec- tive sounding board when personal issues threaten com- pany operations. They differ from management teams and boards of directors, both of which deal with business mat- ters and are ill suited to handle the kind of family tensions that so often escalate into costly disruptions. “Family councils can be good venues for airing griev- ances in a structured way,” said Travis W. Harms, the lead- er of Mercer Capital’s Family Business Advisory Services
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Group. “By avoiding toxic back-channel conversations be- tween family members, they can help sidestep issues that can threaten business profits.” One common source of conflict is the company em- ployment policy which commonly deals with some pretty sensitive issues. Here are some examples: Who among the relatives are entitled to company jobs? What are the criteria for full-time or part-time positions? Does the com- pany create jobs for family members or just wait for posi- tions to become available? Must successful job applicants possess certain characteristics, experiences or education? It’s not uncommon for managers to have one set of answers to the above questions, while the parents of a child—maybe residing several states away—will have an- other. “A family council can be instrumental in resolving potential conflicts as the second and third generation reaches employment age,” said Barbara Dartt, a principal consultant at the Family Business Consulting Group. Councils can also set up systems that help ensure fu- ture management continuity. “Embroiled as they are in business operations, the company’s current management will not be thinking about grooming future generations for board or management positions,” said Christopher J. Eck- rich, a senior advisor at The Family Business Consulting CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
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July 7, 2025
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