Family Business Experts offers a broad range of tips and success strategies to address the spectrum of unique and complex problems that impact family businesses.
If you have a problem that is threatening your family business, you have come to the right place for help according to leading family business expert Don Schwerzler
Schwerzler has been studying and advising family business family business entrepreneurs for more than 40 years. He is the founder of the Family Business Institute and the web organization Family Business Experts, both of which are headquartered in Atlanta GA (Veteran Owned Businesses).
Our team of family business experts is nationally recognized for our work in pioneering the multi-discipline approach to solving the unique and complex problems that impact family-owned businesses.
Our comprehensive Succession Management process has proven to be of great value to families interested in passing the business from one generation of family ownership to the next generation of family ownership. If you are concerned about the succession process for your family's business - Contact Us - we can help.
The keys to growing a family business and maintaining healthy family relationships are trust, strong family values and open communications. This site is dedicated to supporting one of the most complex organizations in the world - the family-owned business.
We understand family values and know how best to connect family values to best business practices. The strategies we recommend are not theories - they are proven success strategies for family businesses.
Understand that the family business system is driven by the values of the family system. Simply put, if you intend to make a strategic plan for the business, a strategic plan should first be developed for the family.
It doesn't have to be that way. Using the strategies we talk about on this site will enable you to chart a safe course through the minefield of problems that can wreck your family business and destroy your family relationships.
If you are not able to find exactly the right answer for your problem - ASK THE EXPERT will respond within 48 hours - a complimentary service for members of family-owned businesses.
How to Contact Family Business Experts
Contact Family Business Experts is easy - just pick up the telephone, use email or snail mail, send us a fax. WE respect your privacy to the utmost.
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Family Business Media Center
Family business media center provides writers with insights into the complex dynamics of family-owned businesses
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Family Business Help Desk
The Family Business Help Desk is a resource family business owners can use to get expert advice on family and business issues that are hurting thier family's business
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Family Business Blog
Family Business Blog offers tips and success strategies for family businesses. Our Family Business Blog also keeps you up-to-date with all the additions and changes to www.family-business-experts.com
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Subscribe to Understanding Family Business
Understanding Family Business is a COMPLIMENTARY monthly e-zine from family business experts to promote understanding family values and business systems.
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Family Business Experts
Family Business Experts 20 person team is nationally recognized for our work in pioneering the multi-discipline approach to solving the unique and complex problems that impact the family business.
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Ask the Family Business Expert
Ask The Family Business Expert - Here's your chance to ask our family business expert about issues and concerns you may have about your family business.
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Family Business Institute
The original Family Business Institute is Atlanta based and founded by Don Schwerzler. The Family Business Institute is internationally recognized for providing solutions to family business problems
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Don Schwerzler Interview
Don Schwerzler founded the Family Business Institute in the early 80’s. Headquartered in Atlanta, it became the very first multi-disciplined, full service resource for family-owned businesses.
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family business conflict
Family business conflict can destroy a family business and wreck family relationships
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Nexters
Nexters and the succession process - succession is not a spectator sport!
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Chaos Busters
Chaos Busters - The Management Guide will make your work easier and more effective. Ideal for improving your organization's performance, creating a mission statement or doing SWOT and GAP analysis
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Family Business Assessment
Our Family Business Assessment process has been perfected over 40 years working hundreds of family businesses, large and small and a broad spectrum of industries
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Conflict Negotiations
Conflict negotiations in a family business are complex because they involve family, management and ownership issues.
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Future Proof Your Family Business
As a family business owner, what are you doing to future proof your family business?
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Family Business Facilitator
Using an experienced family business facilitator makes family business meetings and retreats more effective.
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Client Testimonials - What Others Say About Us
Client testimonials - what others say about us.
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Family Business Profiles - Success Stories
Family Business Profiles - the antidote to today's gloom and doom business stories. Learn from family businesses that have overcome difficulties to succeed and prosper.
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Family Business Consulting
Our family business consulting approach offers proven and powerful strategies for dealing with the unique and complex problems that confront and confound families in business together!
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Family Business Telephone Consultation
Family business telephone consultation is an effective means to get a real time solution for a family business issue.
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Chaos Busters for Senior Management
Chaos Busters - A Management Guide for senior executives - work easier and be more effective. Ideal for improving your organization's performance, creating a mission statement or doing SWOT
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Southern Business Research
Southern Business Research strategies enable businesses to improve growth and profits
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Company Mission Statements: Dreams and Goals
Company mission statements show how the dream will become reality - the goals a company must reach and the methods it will use to reach those goals - what the company is all about.
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Family Business Mission Statements
Family business mission statements often reflect how the family's values influence decision making in a family business.
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Legal Forms
Legal forms can help formalize the management style of a family business
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SWOT Analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
SWOT Analysis is one of the best strategic tools you can use. Learn about how it can focus you internally on strengths and weaknesses and externally on opportunities and threats.
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Change Management Theories: looking for a winner
Change management theories BPR and TQM are partial. The Theory of the Holonomic Organization finally seems to be a complete theory for change and adaptation.
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PGOO
PGOO is the best book available on leadership and organization
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Succession Planning Survey
Use this succession planning survey along with Don Schwerzler's no-cost assessment to help you beat the dismal 30% odds that your family business will transition to the next generation.
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Succession Planning Has Changed
Succession planning has changed. No longer a secretive ritual, it is now approached as a process rather than an event. We'll show you the keys to effective succession planning.
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Family Succession Plan First
The family succession plan must be done and agreed upon before a succession plan can be successfully developed and implemented for the family business.
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Family Business Forum
The Family Business Forum provides a soap box for family business owners.
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Green Management Strategies
Green management strategies have direct and indirect benefits for many family businesses
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Family Reunion Games Promote Family Values
Family reunion games promote family values, bonding and fun. Learn about the game we found where every family member helps make their family's own board game.
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Family Business Retreat Strengthens Communications
The family business retreat is one of the most important strategies used to help strengthen the communication system in a family business. See how this process can help yours.
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Advisory Board Benefits Family Business
An advisory board made up of experienced outsiders brings a fresh perspective to problems and opportunities that face both the family and the family business.
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Leadership Practices Assessment
Leadership practices assessment is a simple and quick way to assess the leadership practices in your organization. This gives insight into organizational problem solving.
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Family Business Valuation
Family business valuation is important to family business succession planning. It should be a part of the regular annual strategic planning process not something triggered by a specific event.
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Alcoholism and the Family Business
Alcoholism is a disease that can hurt family businesses when a key family member is losing the battle with alcohol addiction
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Dealing With Alcoholism in a Family Business
Dealing with alcoholism in a family business is a tough and complex problem that can wreck the family and destroy the family's business
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General Aviation and the Family Business
General Aviation may be all about small air planes but General Aviation is not a small industry.
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Family feuds can be avoided with seven simple tips
Family feuds won't kill your family business if you follow these seven simple tips.
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Family Business Divorce Strategy
Without a strong family business divorce strategy, the cause and effects of divorce on a family business can be a profound threat to the family and to the business.
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Private Investigator - Introduction and case studies
A private investigator provides family business with a wide range of services. Meet our family business security expert and read about some of the cases he has solved.
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True Crime Stories
True crime stories from family businesses are presented as a learning opportunity for other family businesses.
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Alternative Business Loans
Alternative business loans offer many creative lending options to family businesses.
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Help With Factoring
Getting help with factoring - a smart finance strategy for family businesses
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Peer to Peer Lending
Peer to Peer Lending is an alternative financing option for family business owners seeking funds to grow their family business
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Small Business Equipment Leasing
Small business equipment leasing is a smart strategy for many family businesses
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Family Business Innovation - “If it ain’t broke, break it”
Family business innovation drives entrepreneurship, not caretaking. Learn how to start an innovation program and 10 mind sets that have to change.
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Family eBusiness - How to make your family business successful online
Family eBusiness may be mission crititcal to the survival of a family business.
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Site Build It Information
Site Build It information points ot how you can have much more than a web site - make it a web business!
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Packaging Products and Services
Packaging products and services is the crucial junction where products and services are conjoined with marketing and advertising strategies to improve branding and value perception that will increase
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LOCAL Business building tool - the Internet
Local business is discovering the Net. Learn why they are doing it - from the client, competitor and profitability perspectives; and how - by studying examples and obstacles.
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Project Scheduling Software Recommended
Project scheduling software is the heart of project management. From paper and pencil to sophisticated, we'll show you what to look for, how to use it and some free sources.
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Environmental Management Systems under ISO 14000
Environmental Management Systems under ISO 14000 - an alternative to the traditional big stick command and compliance system of dealing with environmental liability.
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Risk Management Needed By Every Family Business
Risk management must be for risky businesses... we're a family business and we're not risky. So, we don't need risk management...right? WRONG! Spend a few minutes with us, and we'll show you why.
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risk management insurance
Risk management insurance should be considered as part of the risk management plan for every family business
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Family Limited Partnerships
With family limited partnerships we have arguably the most powerful tool in the estate planning arsenal.
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Captive Insurance Company
A Captive insurance company can be much more than a risk management tool for family businesses.
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Business Plan Template - Your Key to Success
A good business plan template is essential. Need one? Have one that isn't working well? Make your family business' plan your template for success.
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Free Human Resources Forms
Free human resources forms to get you started setting up your complete human resources function.
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Outsourcing payroll processing - four benefits
Outsourcing is an excellent family business strategy. Confidentiality is just one of the four major benefits of outsourcing payroll processing.
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Business Communication - Many Channels to Navigate
Business communication is always an important function that family businesses need to manage with a clear vision and strategy.
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4 Ps of Marketing - The Controllable Elements of Your Marketing Plan
The 4 Ps of marketing classify the controllable elements of your marketing plan. Product, place [distribution] and promotion are all expenses; price brings in revenue.
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Using A Ghost Writer Makes Good Business Sense
Using a ghost writer makes good sense for small to medium-sized family businesses. Learn about several situations where a seasoned ghost writer can present the family's best interests.
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Financing A Business
Financing a business. Here's what you need to know and a comparison of advantages and disadvantages of different sources for financing your business.
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retirement plan management
Retirement plan management is a complex and time consuming business process that many family business owners prefer to delegate to an ERISA Limited Scope 3(21) Fiduciary
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Financial Management - Tips and Tricks for the Family Business Owner
Financial management - for the family business owner who doesn't have or need a CFO and all the trappings of big companies.
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Family Business Broker
The right family business broker can help your family business whether you're buying, selling or expanding. Learn how our expert family business broker can help.
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Family Foundations: Creating The Family Legacy For Future Generations
Family foundations are a great tool to harness the energy and creativity of retiring family business owners. But they can be costly and involve a lot of red tape.
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Parenting Adult Children
Parenting adult children who are also in the family business leads to role confusion. Learn how to focus on the boundaries between the roles.
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FamilyLore Game
FamilyLore Game is a family trivia board game for the entire family to enjoy
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ODS-OL
Corporate governance now has new accountability standards. ODS-OL is the perfect tool for Directors and executives who need to meet these new standards.
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Family Business Articles
Family business articles feature a collection of the thoughts and observations of our experts. There's humor as well as serious material. Enjoy!
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NCPA Opinions
NCPA Opinions addresses public policy issues that impact family-owned businesses
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Our Recommendations and Favorite Business Tools
We are often asked to make recommendations about business tools. Here are some of our favorites - the business tools we use ourselves.
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Organizational Rewards
Organizational rewards are a key leadership practice
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United States Immigration
United States immigration policy encourages foreign entrepreneurs and family businesses to immigrate to the United States.
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E-Verify Program
E-verify program now mandated for many federal contractors and subcontractors.
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Family Business Roundtable
Facilitating a Family Business Roundtable is a practice development service we offer to professional service companies that work with family businesses.
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Estate Planning Still Needed Despite 2001 Legislation
Estate planning is still needed, and is more challenging than ever. Learn the concepts, tools and techniques to use for a flexible plan that lets you beat Congress.
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Accounting Information System
An accounting information system is an important family business management tool.
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Project Management Best Practices
Project management best practices: start with the basics and follow these useful ideas from experienced project mangers.
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Self Help - Not the Same as Do-It-Yourself
Self help sources for parenting, self improvement, personal and professional development, relationships, stress, coaching, leadership.
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Exit Planning
Exit planning is necessary because you will transfer your business interest - either during your lifetime, or you will die or become incapacitated. Learn how to avoid the chaos of forced liquidation.
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Intra-family loans
Intra-family loans are common practice for family businesses according to leading expert DON SCHWERZLER.
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Employee Handbook - Key to Managing Human Resources
Your employee handbook is the very core of managing human resources. Some of the contents will be familiar, but we're sure you'll find some surprises that you hadn't thought of covering.
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Bid Government Contracts
Bid Government Contracts is an under-used business development strategy for family businesses
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In Praise of Nepotism: An Interview with Adam Bellow
Adam Bellow's remarkable new book - In Praise of Nepotism: A Natural History - in our opinion is a must-read for anyone in a family business. Or any business.
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Human Resource Forms
Our human resource forms section shows you individual forms and packages of forms - everything you'll need for a complete HR department.
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How To Make A Website
How to make a website is the first question for a new web master.
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Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project is an organization that supports men and woman wounded in battle
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Words That Sell
Using words that sell should be carefully considered when writing product or service promotional content
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product development checklist.
The product development checklist presents 16 key areas of consideration when taking a prodcut to market.
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Charity Organizations
Charity organizations work to make our world a better place
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Compliance Sarbanes Oxley Affects Family Businesses
Compliance Sarbanes Oxley is affecting family businesses. Learn what publicly traded ones have to do. And learn how non-public ones can benefit.
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Computer Learning Skills
Helping managers and associates improve their computer learning skills is a smart investment for family businesses.
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Performance Evaluation
Performance evaluation is one of the least understood and most abused management tools. We think it's because managers and employees forget that it is part of a process, not just a once-a-year tool.
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Family Business Advisor
Family business advisor Don Schwerzler, top family business expert and founder of the Family Business Institute has been studying and advising family businesses for more than 40 years.
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Succession Management
The single best succession management strategy is to create an advisory board. Learn why,and how in this interview with a succession management expert.
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Organization Structures
Organization structures are how winning companies do their work better - enable interaction across departmental lines, have sensible and effective reporting relationships, clear lines of authority.
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Alcoholism Intervention
Alcoholism intervention in a family business is a complex problem that impacts the family and the business.
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Computer Monitoring Software - protect your family and your business
Computer monitoring software protects your family and your business
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29 Leadership Practices - The Foundation
These 29 leadership practices are the foundation for adaptable organizations. They support the holonomic processes, which enable the desired organizational characteristics.
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Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction can destroy a family and the family business
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Advertising Guidelines and Affiliate Disclosure
Web site advertising guidelines and affiliate disclosure
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NIAAA Alcohol Consumption Study
NIAAA Alcohol consumption Study broken down by state during the period 1970-2007
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Backup Computer Files
Backup Computer Files - a risk management strategy for every family business.
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Family Business SWOT Analysis
Family business SWOT analysis can be a critical exercise in making a family business successful.
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KPI
Knowing your KPI can make your family business smarter!
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Alcoholism Impacts Family Businesses
Alcoholism impacts family businesses - tell us your story!
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Construction Draws
Construction draws have become an area for sharp-operating General contractors to earn extra profit - at the expense of their Subcontractors.
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Every Family Business
Every Family Business presents 12 common-sense questions that can help a family business create and preserve the wealth of the family
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Mike Roman ERP Expert Interview
Mike Roman ERP expert with the family business institute discusses ERP implementation strategies
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Family Business Histories - Why Do One??
Family Business Histories - On her forty-fifth birthday, Liz Walker took the reins of leadership from her proud father and officially became president of a family-owned manufacturing operation...
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Job Interview Tips
Great job interview tips from a leading recruiter
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We The People
We The People begins the preamble to the US Constitution
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Family Business Constitution
A family business constitution can help avoid disputes in a family business.
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Walking For Health
Walking for health is a great strategy for a better quality of life.
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Susan Marvin Op-Ed
Susan Marvin commentary on why laying off workers can be a poor strategy for family businesses.
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10 ERP Mistakes
ERP application software mistakes - learn the top 10 ERP mistakes made by companies dealing with ERP.
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tyerp
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What is ERP
What is ERP - a question with many different answers!
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Leadership Assessment
Leadership assessment is an important practice for every family business.
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Gary Payne Interview
Gary Payne interview - a top executive recuiter is interviewed by Family Business Experts.
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Business Plan Samples to Fuel Your Imagination
Business plan samples can help get your creative juices flowing. Follow our links to some really exciting and helpful sample business plans.
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SBI sites
SBI sites are some of the most interesting and successful sites on the Internet
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Search Our Entire Site
Our search form will open up the entire site to you in moments. The navigation index will show you the entire site at a glance.
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Family Business Troubleshooter
Being a family business troubleshooter can be akin to being in a room of mirrors.
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Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting can be a smart stragegy for many family businesses.
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Ewing Irrigation Family Business Profile
Ewing Irrigation Family Business Profile - 90 years of success!
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Tactical Tips
Tactical tips for dealing with succession in a family business
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family business entrepreneurs
Family business entrepreneurs drive the American economy
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ERP Agnostic
Using an ERP Agnostic can be a smart strategy for family businesses when considering ERP systems
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Family Business Blog
Family Business Blog provides tips and success strategies to family-owned businesses.
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Family Business Entrepreneurship Article
Family business entrepreneurship article offers 8 tips for preparing your family for entrepreneurship
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Chinese drywall
Chinese drywall is a problematic construction material
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Project Compassion
Project Compassion does hero portraits for the familes of the fallen
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Biz Plan Builder Online
Jian introduces a new product - Biz Plan Builder Online
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Creature From Jekyll Island
The Creature From Jekyll Island is an eye-opening story about money, politics and the Federal Reserve System
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Addiction Treatment Recovery Process
Addiction Treatment Recovery Process should include helping family members and friends needs to be on a par with helping the addicts and alcoholics
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Lisa Frederiksen interview
Lisa Frederiksen interview - author of Loved One In Treatment? Now What?
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Edward Griffin Interview
Edward Griffin Interview - We invite family business owners to read this Edward Grffin Interview - author of The Creature from Jekyll Island.
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Online Disaster Tool Kit
An online disaster tool kit should be part of the contingency plan for every family business.
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Mayfield Family Story
The Mayfield Family Story - the milk and ice cream giant celebrates 100 years.
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Winston Packaging
Winston Packaging is a 100 year old family business
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Business Valuation Data
Business valuation data can help family business owners compare to similar businesses.
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American Hero
American Hero veteran's franchise program makes entrepreneur Ray Margiano a hero too!
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Back Porch Restaurant
Back Porch Restaurant the Papplardo family business - Achieving the American Dream
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RIF security strategies
RIF security strategies should be considered by family businesses owners when they are considering a reduction in force.
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Leadership Compensation Planning
Leadership compensation planning can be a tough problem for family businesses
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Family Business Resource Center
Atlanta-based Family Business Institute is the leading Family Business Resource Center (FBRC) providing connected solutions to the unique and complex issues that confront family businesses.
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B and B Pecan
B and B Pecan Company - Hard work, dedication keep family business growing
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Balson Family Butcher Business
The Balson family butcher business has been serving customers for 25 generations and almost 500 years.
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Darn Tough Vermont
Darn Tough Vermont is a great success story about keeping a manufacturing business in America.
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Leadership Tips from Havard Business Review
Leadership tips from the HBR
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Family Business Insurance Checklist
An insurance checklist to help with Risk Assessment and to provide guidelines for discussions with your insurance professional.
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outdoor room
Designing an outdoor room is one of the services of a landscape architect
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Chief Emotional Officer
Mom's role as Chief Emotional Officer (CEO) of the family in a family business
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microscopy
Microscopy is all about the world of small
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nuts.com
Nuts.com is a third generation family business that has successfully transitioned the company into an online-business
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SCREWED! Book Review
SCREWED! is a NewYork Times best seller - a book about how America is being fleeced by friend and foe
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healing gardens
healing gardens are a respite for body and soul
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Olivia Munoz Mickalonis
Olivia Munoz Mickalonis is a service disabled veteran and a landscape architect
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Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability initiatives make our planet a better place on which to live.
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Pavers
Pavers - A Pavement With Pizzazz
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Container Gardens
Container gardens are popular, fun and easy to do!
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Green Roofs
Green roofs are a wonderful example of living architecture
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Concealed Carrie - a family business profile
Concealed Carrie is a great example of innovatative entrepreneurship in a family business.
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Friedas Inc
Friedas Inc, a family owned business, is celebrating 50 years of success
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Gabions A Green Management Strategy
Gabions are a time tested solutions to controlling storm water
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El Jardin de Sanacion
El Jardin de Sanacion Un jardín de curación es un respiro para la mente y el cuerpo
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reciclables en el paisaje
Cada vez es más común ver a los materiales reciclables en el paisaje, a partir de artículos para el hogar que en el pasado acabarían en un vertedero.
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recyclables in the landscape
It is becoming commonplace to see recyclables in the landscape, made from household items that in the past would end up in a landfill.
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Xeriscaping
The term xeriscaping comes from the Greek word for dry (xeros) combined with the word “landscaping.” It is a term that became popular in the 1980s, when global concern peaked for our dwindling na
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Xerojardines
Xerojardines sigue siendo un término relativamente desconocido, excepto para el comercio paisaje.
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Bavarian Inn
‘Family is Everything’ for Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Inn.
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Sample Mission Statements
Sample mission statements to inspire your creativity. Come and see some dynamite examples and link to a great collection.
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Toenail Fungus Tips
Highly acclaimed Atlanta podiatrist offers 5 toenail fungus tips for summer-friendly feet
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Pavimentadoras
Pavimentadoras - Un pavimento con Pizzazz
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