Publications

by Christina Lopez Family enterprise leaders often prioritize succession planning and continuity, but beneath those conversations lies a more fundamental question: Is the next generation actually engaged? Employee engagement is…

By: Mariana Restrepo and Sharon Dorsett, PhD Many people are familiar with the saying “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.” Across the world, this myth has fueled the belief that…

What You Can Learn from Family Business By Nicolas Kachaner, George Stalk, Jr. and Alain Bloch Link to original Article To many, the phrase “family business” connotes a small or…

The Role of Mattering in Sustaining Family Ownership Across Generations By: Henri-Lee Stalk, Mariana Restrepo, Darren Good, Frank Foster   I. The business case for mattering Family enterprises tend to…

Originally published in: Harvard Business Review (Jan.-Feb. 2012): pp. 25-27. By: George Stalk, Jr. and Henry Foley Family businesses have low survival rates beyond three generations. Data suggests that 70%…

From Exposure to Expertise: Empowering the Next Generation Through a Board Observer Program By Henri-Lee Stalk For next-generation family members in multi-generational businesses that have become more professionalized, stepping into…

By Hilla Talati and Henri-Lee Stalk, J.D., Ph.D. You carry meaningful responsibility within the family enterprise, even as the influence and guidance of the older generation continues to shape the…

By Henri-Lee Stalk and Hilla Talati As family businesses transition from their founding generation to subsequent generations, owners often find themselves navigating conflicting advice. Some advisors present the Family Constitution…

Breaking the Silence: The Importance of Feedback in Family Businesses Sharon Dorsett, PhD Family businesses often operate under unique dynamics. The combination of familial ties, business goals, and personal histories…

By Samuel Bruehl and Hilla Talati The multi-generational success of a family enterprise is deeply tied to the current generation’s ability to engage, educate, and empower the next generation. As…