In the midst of a full staff meeting Jim’s father turned to him and announced loud enough for all to hear, “You’ll never have what it takes to run this business.”

When family issues overflow into the business it hurts the business, the employees as well as all family members, jeopardizing the sustainability of the family and the business.

Family businesses provide a unique cultural and economic tapestry within our society. Planning, starting with an end in mind of how the wealth within the business and familywill transition to the next generations, creates greater well-being within thefamily from one generation to the next.

Most programs and training of business owners and entrepreneurs, however, stop with maximizing the growthof the business – short of achieving the sustainability of the family and the business.

The fact is, though, family-business Best Management Practices, which support the growth of the business, grow the estate of the shareholders, promote the health and well-being of family members, and increase family harmony, can be learned.