Family-Owned Enterprise
Consulting
Family-owned businesses have been the pillars of prosperity and respect in many countries for generations. They have a visionary outlook, a resilient spirit that creates employment opportunities even in hard times, and a strong sense of ethics that benefits society. These are some of the common traits that make family firms thrive in today’s world.
However, family businesses are not without their own hurdles. Sometimes, family members may disagree on the direction of the company, resulting in strife and discord. Moreover, it can be hard to ensure stability across generations, especially if the senior family members retire from the business and the family loses its guiding light.
This is where family business consulting can make a difference. A family business consulting firm can assist and mentor family businesses as they overcome these obstacles. They can help with transition planning, conflict management, and sustainability across generations. Family business consultants can also offer valuable advice on how to expand the business by finding the equilibrium between the conflicting forces of growth, risk, profitability, and liquidity.
Some family business advisors specialize in family relationship issues and are skilled therapists who can help repair broken bonds. Some family business advisors focus on the hard side of the equation, such as wealth protection for future generations and how to cope with economic instability and uncertainty. Few can offer both, but we can. We have expertise in organization structures, finance, human resources, and business development and experience in coaching and behavioral science. We work efficiently and leverage our collective knowledge to provide best-practice strategies and tools to suit your family’s needs. Our unique TADAP™ model gives your family-owned business a successful framework for change and continuity.
UNLOCKING SUCCESS:
Simplifying Family-Owned Enterprise Systems
Positively People harnesses the formidable potential of two influential models: the seminal Tagiuri & Davis “Three-Circle Model” and the transformative four-phase change model, TADAP™, developed by our Founder, Dr. Jean Meeks-Koch.
Three-Circle Model
The Three-Circle Model provides a framework and insights into the dynamics that drive the success or failure of family-owned enterprises. We explore the complex systems that are generationally interdependent and at the same time struggle with individuality and the pursuit of passion. Providing a forum where all family members can co-create a unified vision, mission, values, and strategic objectives for their family and family enterprise.
TADAP™ Model
The TADAP™ model ignites potent, constructive synergy within enterprises, transforming conventional problem-solving approaches. Our founder realized that comprehension alone isn’t sufficient; individuals require a roadmap to achieve their goals. TADAP™ serves as that navigational tool, facilitating execution. As Dr. Jean asserts, “vision without execution is a hallucination.”
The Family Council and a Board of Directors are two different governing bodies for family-owned enterprises.
Here are some of the main differences
Family Council
- A Family Council comprises core family members who address and oversee the family's important issues.
- A Family Council sets policies for the family and recommends policies that concern the family to the board, such as around family employment in the business.
- A Family Council provides education, guidance, communication, and cohesion for the family and creates a Family Constitution that outlines the family's vision, mission, values, principles, and policies.
Board of Directors
- A Board of Directors is made up of directors who have fiduciary responsibility for the business.
- A Board of Directors sets policy for the business and may also make recommendations to the family council concerning business matters.
- A Board of Directors provides oversight, accountability, and strategic guidance to management to meet the profitability needs of owners.
Hear what others are saying
"Our family gained a lot of valuable information and was extremely impressed with the content and technical advice given by Dr. Jean Meeks-Koch. We recommend anyone running a family business and wanting to pass it on to the next generation effectively attend one of her workshops."
Mickey Raney
P.E.,CEO,Impact Energy Partners, LLC
"We are so grateful that we found Jean and her team. They have been instrumental in working with our family and our family business on its processes and procedures. It's amazing how far we have come in the process. It's even more amazing how many families are behind in their family business planning. We highly recommend Jean and her team for their expertise and continued support."
William Jackson
CO-OWNER, Instel Power Products
"Positively People has been an essential part of our evolving, third-generation family business. The expertise and insight that Jean and her team provide are invaluable to our continued growth and success. The comprehensive coaching program has enabled our company and family members to navigate the complexities of a family-owned business. It has allowed us to build a strong foundation for the future. The approach taken has been effective in strengthening relationships within the family while also providing us with the tools and guidance needed to manage the business. We are very grateful for the constant support of the team at Positively People. We would highly recommend their services to any family business looking to grow and evolve!"
John & Jaclyn Savickas
CEO/President & Vice President, Interstate Specialty Products
"For over a decade I have had the opportunity to partner with Jean Meeks Koch and her team at Positively People. Jean is more than a consultant she has accompanied our company through the best of times and through some of our greatest struggles. Always with a focus of building on strengths, developing people and helping them to show up as their best selves, and growing intentionality at the individual and organizational levels. Jean has an incredible sense of what makes organizations work and helps to position them to thrive for the long term. From my experience with Jean, I am a stronger and more well-rounded leader, and the organization is stronger than ever. Jean not only helped us solve problems, she helped us grow beyond them."
Kim Scott
President and CEO from 2004-2023 Current Executive Director of the Trillium Family Services Foundation
