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Family Business Profile
Questionnaire

We have added a new feature to our Understanding Family Business e-zine – Family Business Profiles.

If you are a family business and would like to be featured in our Family Business Profiles or if you are a professional service provider who would like to recommend a client to be recognized in our Family Business Profiles - this is a wonderful opportunity to recognize their success as a business and their contribution to their community.

More often than not, the “gloom and doom” stories about family businesses are what the media focus on. The idea for creating Family Business Profiles is a way to recognize family businesses that are successfully operating a business - often within the context of a complex family dynamic.

Here's how it works.

Once a Profile is submitted for considertion, the draft will be reviewed by our editors to ensure that the guidelines for posting on our web site have been observed.

NO FEE to post your Family Business Profile on our site!

We hope these Family Business Profiles will be an inspiration to other family businesses.

What is in it for the family business being featured in the Family Business Profiles? The family business featured in the Family Business Profiles will be able to use the Profile as part of their marketing package. It provides some insight as to the family’s values and culture – a perspective that would not ever be gleaned by a potential customer checking out the business using a research service such as a D & B report!

If you have a question about the Family Business Profiles you would like to ask prior to completing the questionnaire, contact Don Schwerzler using our ASK THE EXPERT form.

Family Business Profile Questionnaire

Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in.

When was your business founded?*
When was your business founded?*

Who was(were) the founder(s)?*
Who was(were) the founder(s)?*

Founder(s) still active in the company?

	Yes
	No

What was the state of the industry at the time the company was founded?*
What was the state of the industry at the time the company was founded?*

What kind of personal financial investment did the founder(s) make in the company?*
What kind of personal financial investment did the founder(s) make in the company?*

Was there a mission statement or business plan at the time the company was founded?*
Was there a mission statement or business plan at the time the company was founded?*

	Yes
	No

What were the guiding principles of the company?*
What were the guiding principles of the company?*

How has the company’s mission or guiding principles changed over the years?*
How has the company’s mission or guiding principles changed over the years?*

What were the company’s best years for growth and why was the company successful during those years?*
What were the company’s best years for growth and why was the company successful during those years?*

What were the major crises and challenges the company faced through the years and how were they overcome?*
What were the major crises and challenges the company faced through the years and how were they overcome?*

Who were the major players in the company’s history?*
Who were the major players in the company’s history?*

Of that group, how many are alive and available for interview?*
Of that group, how many are alive and available for interview?*

Are there existing articles, newsletters or other information about the company’s history?*
Are there existing articles, newsletters or other information about the company’s history?*

What trade, professional and civic organizations do you or your business belong to?*
What trade, professional and civic organizations do you or your business belong to?*

What leadership position[s] have you or do you have in any of the above organizations?

Would you like a copy of the Profile sent to your local newspaper?*
Would you like a copy of the Profile sent to your local newspaper?*

	Yes
	No

If so, please indicate the newspaper name and phone number.

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If you haven't already subscribed to our complimentary monthly newsletter Understanding Family Business, would you like to be subscribed?
It's free, and we totally respect your privacy.
If you check yes, we will add you, and you will receive an e-mail that asks you to confirm - it's called double opt-in and ensures you are only subscribed if you wish to be. Thank you.*