Two critical areas for success of a family business are mission and margin. They provide the fulcrum for long-term and short-term term goals, both integral to a family business.

 Together, they are the balancing point between a family-first business–one that offers employment to all family members, and a business-first business–one that operates for the primary purpose of providing a return on investment.

‘Mission’ describes the core ingredients that define your family and family business–your fundamental reason for being. ‘Margin’ recognizes it is a requirement to be profitable–for your family, your customers, employees and suppliers–and to sustain fulfillment of your mission.