“That is a question every family business owner should be asking – and answering,” according to leading family business expert Don Schwerzler.

In general, our political leaders, at all levels of government, have failed to take effective action to reduce government spending and to eliminate debt. Not hard to understand when one realizes that more than 50% of the people in the US do not pay taxes; entitlement programs are out of control; borders are not secure from illegal immigration and other security threats.

Frankly, the leadership failure has been so bad, the problems endemic at every level of government, that it is hard to imagine that the same political apparatus that caused the problems – is going to solve the problems! Case in point, the “weak-willed” options put forward to engage our country's current economic problems amount to symbolic platitudes and political posturing that will have the same results as trying to save the Titanic by re-arranging the deck chairs.

“So don’t expect your government to protect your family business – every family business should be taking immediate action to “future proof” their family business,” notes Schwerzler.

Schwerzler has been studying and advising family business entrepreneurs since 1967 – a career span of more than 40 years. He is the founder of the Family Business Institute headquartered in Atlanta GA.

SWOT ANALYSIS is easy to do and can trigger immediate action for taking corrective action on those factors (Strengths – Weaknesses - Opportunities – Threats) that can impact the performance of the family business.

CHAOS BUSTERS is a management guide that poses 160 key business questions that can help bring clarity to policy and practices that can drive the growth and profitability of the family business.

CHANGE MANAGEMENT is a crucial element of every successful family business. It is no longer a question of “managing change” but how quickly a family business can adapt to change. Managing change is a crucial element to future proof your family business.

CONTINGENCY PLANNING can help ensure continuity for your family business in the event of natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods as well as economic situations and problems (strikes, military actions, bankruptcies) that overnight can impact the supply chain logistics that disrupt normal business operations.

FAMILY BUSINESS SUCCESION PLAN is a no-brainer for every family business entrepreneur that wants to future proof their company and to protect and preserve the legacy of their family's business.

NEXTERS can have an important role in managing the succession process – why not make it part of their job description!

PROTECTING THE FAMILY'S WEALTH wealth preservation strategies can help future proof and protect a family business from threats posed by excessive government taxation and regulation:

Family Limited Partnership

Captive Insurance Company

Executive Liability Insurance

Family Foundation

ENGAGE FAMILY BUSINESS EXPERT who is experienced in dealing with family business dynamics – someone who can help grow the family business, help maintain healthy family relationships and who can help transition the business from one generation to the next (or prepare the business for sale if that makes more sense as an exit strategy for the business owner).

ADVISORY BOARD is smart strategy that puts in place a “safety net” that can protect the family and the business should the owner of the family business die or become disabled.

MISSION STATEMENTS for both the family and the business can be a powerful communication tool amongst family members, managers & employees, customers and vendors.

MANAGEMENT PLANNNG can be the difference for a family business between succession or survival when times are tough or when the business is booming - but lacks the infra-structure to sustain rapid growth.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS are those factors that guide the management of the family business. Knowing what the KPIs are for your family business can be the basis for better organizing the business.

ERP SYSTEMS can enable the family business entrepreneur to create and implement the infra-structure needed to professionalize the management style of the family business and to future proof the family business.

GREEN MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES are those business strategies that include awareness about environmental issues and then perfecting business policies and practices - then initiating innovative programs that create significance.

4Ps of MARKETING are the basic building blocks for every family business and should never be taken for granted. The marketplace is always in a state of flux – and the family business marketing strategies need to be able to react quickly to change.

WEB SITE & SOCIAL MARKETING technology, techniques and opportunities have exploded and are absolutely critical components of the family business toolkit needed to maintain a competitive advantage in the market place.

CHECK THIS OUT - Need answers to tough questions regarding your family business – WE CAN HELP!

Use the ASK THE EXPERT box (below) to contact us by email or if you prefer, call us at 770-952-4085. All contacts are considered CONFIDENTIAL.

Chaos Busters - The Management Guide Identifies 160 Key Business Questions 160 Key Business Questions will stimulate creativity and innovation for your entire management team! 160 Key Business Questions are the keys to unlock the hidden potential of your organization! 160 Key Business Questions will save you time and make your work more effective! 160 Key Business Questions is a Multi-purpose tool with unlimited applications! http://www.family-business-experts.com/chaos-busters.html

How Well Organized is YOUR Organization? Your Business Will Succeed... If... You have The Roadmap for Success That's What The Practitioner's Guide for Organizing an Organization Is All About PGOO shows how to identify the most pressing problems to solve PGOO introduces the ODS-OL (Organizational Diagnostic Survey –Online) - an electronic assessment tool that is highly effective, easy to use, systematic and data-based PGOO explains how to produce a better-organized organization http://www.family-business-experts.com/PGOO.html

FREE TRIAL for “MISSION EXPERT” World’s Most Popular Mission Statement Software Mission Expert Software Makes It Easy Clear and simple structure Easy-to-follow process Prompts you for input as required High impact with no learning curve Mission Finder search tool helps you find sample mission statements from the Internet ... and much more!

Family Business Experts Understands
Family Values
and Business Systems

Please stay in touch and subscribe to our Ezine
Understanding Family Business

Return from Future Proof Your Family Business to
Family Business Experts Home Page

© 2000 - 2013 Family Business Institute, Inc.
904 Steffi Court, Lawrenceville GA 30044

Contact: Don Schwerzler 770-952-4085

SBI!