Facilitated Family Business Meetings
The goals of the facilitation process in the family business meeting are:
- to empower the family to generate their own outcomes;
- to bring issues safely from under the table so that they can be acknowledged and
- then to facilitate the meeting to enable the family to reach their own solution.
- Mobilise problem solving skills already present in the family.
The role of the facilitator is not one of an ‘expert’ offering solutions, nor that of a mediator, but is to work with the family to identify and address their blockages, issues and communication difficulties. To facilitate the meeting – facilitate meaning ‘to make easy’.
To achieve maximum benefits from a facilitated family business meeting you require two external people; a person with sound communication and facilitation skills and an accountant/ financial counsellor/consultant to deal with the facts and details of options. By utilising two professionals the family is offered a more comprehensive range of skills allowing the outcomes to be far more sustainable.
A successful meeting occurs when the family is committed to the process, sets aside one full day for the meeting held at a neutral venue and they involve all family members.
When to use a facilitator?
When the family or business is to make major decisions or faces significant changes. At any significant trigger in business such as:
- New family member through marriage.
- Children returning home to the property.
- Succession or handing on the property.
- Major change in business strategy or focus.
- Family members leaving the business.
- Issues that see the family ‘stuck’ or in conflict.
- Early succession planning
Questions when selecting a facilitator?
- Is the family comfortable with the facilitator?
- What have you heard about them?
- Is there an allegiance (real or perceived) between the facilitator and any member of the family?
- Do they have professional indemnity insurance?
- Do they have professional supervision to update their skills, ensure the best service and as a Quality Assurance Measure?
- What training or experience do they bring to the job, your family and business?
- Are they willing to work with the accountant, financial counsellor or consultant of the family’s choice?