"Reestructurar una empresa familiar requiere un enfoque estratégico que contemple tanto la eficiencia organizacional como la armonía en las relaciones familiares."
Restructure a family business can be a challenging process, but necessary to adapt to new circumstances, improve efficiency and ensure long -term business continuity. The family structure can add complexity, but also offers unique opportunities.
Next, we will explore some key tips to restructure a family business, from the analysis of processes to the professionalization of management.
1. Process analysis
One of the first steps when restructuring a family business is to carry out a detailed analysis of internal processes. This allows to identify which activities are really essential and which can be optimized or eliminated.
Recommendations:
• Performs an internal audit of operational and administrative processes.
• Identify areas with greater inefficiency or redundancy.
• Make sure all processes are aligned with the strategic objectives of the company.
Imagine a family business dedicated to furniture manufacturing. During the analysis of the processes, it is discovered that the Sales and Marketing department are performing similar promotion tasks, which generates duplicity. By reorganizing these departments and clearly defining their functions, the company improves internal communication and reduces operational costs.
2. Study of duplicity of tasks
In many family businesses, lack of communication or poor management can generate duplicity of tasks. This occurs when different departments or even family members carry out the same activities without realizing it, resulting in an ineffective use of resources.
Recommendations:
• Check the functions of each family and department member.
• Clearly establish the responsibilities and tasks of each.
• Promote communication and teamwork to avoid overlaps.
In a family business dedicated to consulting, the brother in charge of sales and the sister responsible for public relations often make similar efforts to get new customers. A clear restructuring of responsibilities, which includes an approach to the target market of each area, allows both to work in a complementary way instead of competitive.
“Change is necessary to grow, but often the fear of change is what prevents growth.”
3. Choice of the most appropriate option for restructuring
The reason why it seeks to restructure the family business will determine the most appropriate approach. The objectives may vary: from changing the business strategy to internationalize the business or increase the market share.
a) Change business strategy
When the company needs to change its approach to adapt to a new context or to improve its competitiveness, restructuring could include fusion with other companies or resources optimization.
Recommendations:
• Identify the weaknesses of the company that prevent effective growth.
• Evaluate possible mergers or acquisitions as strategies to improve efficiency.
A family fashion business that crosses economic difficulties decides to merge with a smaller brand, but with a strong distribution network. This fusion allows for resources and optimize logistics, which strengthens its presence in the market.
b) Internationalize the business
If the objective is to expand internationally, a fusion can be useful for strengthening the image of the company against banks and facilitating financing for internationalization.
Recommendations:
• Evaluate the international markets you want to access.
• Consider associating with companies that already have a global presence to reduce risks.
A family business that produces organic products decides to merge with a company that already has a strong presence in the European market, thus facilitating its entry into that market and guaranteeing access to international financing.
c) Increase market share
To increase market share, a strategic option is to merge with a competitive company. This decision may increase the customer base, improve competitiveness and optimize resources.
Recommendations:
• Performs an exhaustive analysis of competitors and their strengths.
• Make sure the merger or acquisition is beneficial in the long term.
A small family business that produces electronic products decides to merge with a local competitor. This allows you to expand your product range and access a greater number of customers in the national market.
d) Felicible decision -making processes
If family disputes are affecting the company’s performance, an option is to create a holding company, which helps separate family decisions from business decisions. This professionalizes management and reduces internal conflicts.
Recommendations:
• Create a structure that allows you to separate family and business functions.
• Professionalize management by incorporating external experts.
A family business that faces internal conflicts between generations decides to establish a Holding society. This allows the family to maintain control, but delegate daily decisions to an external professional team, which improves efficiency and governance.
4. The help of specialized consultants
In many cases, having a consultant specializing in family businesses can be crucial to guide the restructuring process. Consultants can offer an objective vision and provide personalized strategies to address the specific problems of the company.
Recommendations:
• Look for experiences with experience in family businesses and organizational restructuring.
• Make sure the consultant understands family dynamics and how they impact the business.
Restructure a family business is not a simple task, but when it is done strategically and with a clear vision, it can be the key to ensuring its continuity and growth. Through a deep analysis of the processes, the identification of duplicities and the proper choice of the restructuring strategy, family leaders can transform their companies and ensure their long -term success.
It is important to remember that, in the context of a family business, change not only involves restructuring the business part, but also managing family dynamics that can influence the business.
“Change is necessary to grow, but often the fear of change is what prevents growth.” This paradox reflects the natural resistance to change, but also underlines the importance of facing it to ensure the future of the family business.
About the author:
Twitter: @mariorizofiscal
The opinions expressed are only the responsibility of their authors and are completely independent of the position and the editorial line of Forbes Mexico.
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