your family’s business to the younger generation of listeners who happen to be gathered at the table.And the best way to ensure the next generation catches the values that matter most to your family business is to immerse them in it.You don’t need an agenda for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. It would help, though, to have a few topics in mind to help steer the conversation towards the family business.Everyone loves the old tales about how the business first got off the ground.
Some of these conversations may seem a touch “too” intentional. Fair enough, but the sad fact is that 70% of first-generation family businesses to the second. A massive contributor to that failure rate is the lack of intentional conversations and settled plans concerning transition and succession.chance to kick off those crucial discussions.Without bogging the conversation down in details, holiday conversations offer a low-stakes opportunity to think together about the future, raise significant concerns, and at least introduce the subject of succession for future exploration back at the office.has an interest in the family business.
If you’re still young and don’t think you have the clout to engage your family members, speak up anyway! This is potentiallyfuture business, even if you’re still in school navigating the complexities of high school math or working in the business’ mailroom. The holidays are a wonderful time to reconnect with family and give thanks for all that you've enjoyed throughout the year.