GET the DATA: data measurement and analysis are essential to attaining superior performance in every facet of business This was a busy week. Our Family Business practice took us to small business, a women owned business and a 40 million dollar Family owned business with operations in 5 states. We worked with sales, operations, artists [Continue Reading]
Open Doors and Unintended Consequences
Family owned businesses need to be cautious of unintended consequences. Often a shoot from the hip great idea has many, many ramifications. In the social sciences, unintended consequences are outcomes that are not the ones foreseen and intended by a purposeful action. The term was popularized in the twentieth century by American sociologist Robert K. Merton Unintended consequences can [Continue Reading]
Character, Competence and Chemistry in Family Owned Business
Recently the NCAA basketball season ended, both the Men’s and the Women’s champions have legendary coaches. Listening to the stories and the coaches; one had to ask. How do you win so often? What does it take to make a leader? Are there lessons a family business could learn from these two coaches? It takes [Continue Reading]
Standards Become Culture in Family Business
Standards are how we perform, where we are and what we hold ourselves and others accountable. In many organizations, employees must meet standards of professional behavior as a condition of employment. These standards help an organization create a respectful working environment for everyone. If you learn the standards that govern your workplace, you can ensure that [Continue Reading]
5 ways to focus on Corrective Action or Innovation
Internal issues versus External issues, often when an automotive OEM called the Family Owned business it was not good news, a quality issue. Most times they required an 8D. Eight Disciplines of Problem Solving (8D) is a method used to approach and to resolve problems, typically employed by quality engineers or other professionals. Its purpose [Continue Reading]
Does your Family Owned Business have a Code, an Ethos, a culture?
What is your Family Owned BusinessCode, Ethos or culture? Ethos is a Greek word meaning “character” that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology. Culture is comprised of many different elements that have been passed down for generations, including knowledge, belief systems, experiences, values, attitudes, religion, [Continue Reading]
THE PLANT — Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing
Do you recognize this phrase – Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing? Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” The Team arrived on Monday. This family owned business was really challenged. We joined the production meeting. First clue, it did not start on time. Our suspicions were confirmed when the [Continue Reading]
Entrepreneur or Business Owner?
The entrepreneur starts out of love, passion, inspiration, maybe some spark of genius and many, many times frustration.