Una empresa sin gobierno es como un auto sin volante: avanza… hasta que choca.
In family businesses, affection is foundation, but it cannot be the only pillar. As the family grows and the business expands, good will is no longer enough. That is when order becomes indispensable. This order does not mean rigidity, but structure. And that structure is built through government bodies that allow the company to prosper without the family fracturing.
In the first years of life of a family business, everything flows naturally. The decisions are made with a look, the agreements are sealed with a handshake, and the affection seems enough to keep everything underway. But over time, the family grows, the business becomes more complex and interests are diversified. What was once spontaneous, now needs structure.
Talking about government in a family business usually generates resistance. The rules are feared to cool relationships or that formality replaces trust. But the opposite happens: where there are no rules, there are friction. And those friction, if they are not attended, become conflicts that not even a Sunday meal can resolve.
The three organs that give order without turning off the love:
1. Board of Directors: Business Right
This body represents shareholders and defines the long -term strategy. Its function is to look beyond day to day, anticipate risks, identify opportunities and ensure the sustainability of the business.
In many family businesses, the founder concentrates all decisions. But there comes a time when you must learn to release, to trust others and to allow the Council to build the future.
“The founder rules, the Council builds the future.”
KEYS FOR ITS OPERATION:
- Integrate members with strategic vision and experience.
- Clearly separate the property of the management.
- Establish protocols for decision making.
2. Management team: the execution of the plan
This group is made up of those who operate the company day by day. Its responsibility is to execute the decisions of the Council, coordinate areas, lead teams and resolve operational challenges.
When there is no clarity in functions or leadership, duplicities, confusion and conflicts are generated. A good management team needs structure, defined processes and professional leadership.
“An Director without a Management is just another confused work group.”
KEYS FOR ITS OPERATION:
- Define roles and responsibilities with precision.
- Establish performance indicators.
- Promote professionalization, even if there are relatives in the team.
“The family needs love. The company, structure.”
3. Family advice: the voice of the heart
This organ does not manage the business, but it is vital for its stability. It is the space where values, education, succession, rules to work in the company and, above all, how to maintain the family bond, are discussed.
Without this space, personal conflicts end up contaminating the business. The Family Council allows anticipating tensions, channeling concerns and strengthening unity.
“A Family Council prevents what a Sunday meal does not resolve.”
KEYS FOR ITS OPERATION:
- Periodic meetings with clear agenda.
- Family protocols that define income, exit and succession rules.
- Spaces for the formation of new generations.
The risk of not having a government
When these organs do not exist, it is improvised. Decisions are made in halls, by emotional hierarchy or by urgency, not by strategy. The business becomes hostage of family emotions, and family, hostage of business problems.
The more united we think is, the more difficult it seems to put rules. But without rules, that union does not last long.
The real act of love
The structure does not kill the love. Protects it.
Because in a family business, the real act of love is not to avoid conflicts, but organize ourselves so as not to harm us.
Governing well is not controlling more, it is to coordinate better.
And when affection is combined with order, the company grows … and the family too.
“In the family business, the real act of love is to organize ourselves not to hurt.”
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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