In this issue we offer a range of articles, including a contribution to the Practice Blog. Two articles, one by Asa Björnberg and the other by John Neff, complement each other regarding the topic of emotional connectedness. The article on attention problems as they become evident in a family business is a useful perspective on what many of us see as practitioners. The articles in Spanish, two book reviews, and the practice blog make this a very full issue.

Our co-editors for articles in Spanish, Guillermo Salazar and Tomás M. Bañegil Palacios, continue to bring works of interest to not only our Spanish-speaking colleagues but to all practitioners interested in perspectives form around the world. We will continue to publish outstanding pieces in Spanish.

We welcome your contributions in many different forms - including shorter, more focused pieces for the Practice Blog as well as longer works. We hope you enjoy this issue of The ffi Practitioner.

Gerry Donnellan, David Tate, Henry Krasnow, Guillermo Salazar, Tomás M. Bañegil Palacios

The Critical Pathway between the Family Business and the Next Generation: Lessons in Emotional Ownership, by Asa Björnberg

Asa Björnberg explores the concept of Emotional Ownership (EO) in the family enterprise. She conducted a large-scale interview study in the U.K. to learn more on how families think about themselves and their emotional connection to the business (as well as each other). She advises us, and our clients: “EO is perhaps best viewed as a state of mind to aspire to - a linkage that can bear fruit in the future.”

Emotional Intelligence: NOT an Oxymoron in Family Business, by John Neff

The first of a two-part series on the concept of emotional intelligence and the family business, this work is based on John Neff’s doctoral research. He reviews the concept and suggests its utility in the family business context.

ADHD: Hidden Treasures in the Family Business, by Louise Levin

Louise Levin reviews the concept of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and presents case material suggesting a fresh look at how, in the family business context, these individuals can become creative and innovative leaders of the family enterprise.

P.A.L.T.: Un Modelo Interdisciplinario De Diagnóstico E Intervención Organizacional, por Dr. Roberto Kertész, Lic. Pedro Dobrée y Lic. Eduardo Radano

Durante años el Dr. Kertész ha liderado importantes planteamientos conceptuales sobre las intervenciones en las empresas familiares latinoamericanas, desde lo que algunos estudiosos hemos denominado al lado “soft” de las ciencias. Basado en los principios del Análisis Transaccional (AT), el equipo de profesionales que dirige ha podido comprobar en más de cuarenta años de experiencia, que para el diagnóstico y asesoría de las denominadas “variables psicosociales” en las empresas familiares, el A.T. es una de las mejores herramientas disponibles, por la claridad de su lenguaje, su objetividad, la posibilidad de diagramar visualmente sus instrumentos, su filosofía de confianza en la dignidad y potencial del ser humano, su buen humor y la potencia de sus técnicas. El modelo PALT de intervención multidisciplinar que aquí plantea llega a conclusiones independientes que se asemejan a la propuesta del FFI sobre las “Disciplinas Bases”: la Psicológica (Ciencias de la Conducta), Administración de Empresas (Financiera), Legal (Legal) y Técnica (Management).

This article presents the work over nearly 40 years of Dr. Roberto Kertész. Using a model rooted in Transactional Analysis, this approach for understanding the roles of various advisors and consultants to family businesses is comprehensive. It offers a framework which can be very useful for collaboration with families and their businesses.

Colaboración vs. Rivalidad Entre Hermanos En La Empresa Familiar, por Cristina Alvarado

Un gran número de las empresas familiares españolas están dirigidas por hermanos que en muchos casos viven conflictos a la hora de tomar decisiones. Es por esta razón que se hace cada vez más necesario encontrar la manera de conseguir una buena relación entre hermanos, que permita trabajar en equipo y conseguir la unión ante los problemas que puedan afectar a la compañía. Cristina Alvarado nos presenta en este artículo una excelente síntesis de varios años de trabajo (por demás novedoso ya que hasta la fecha no existen publicaciones similares en todo el mundo), en el que, basada en sus propias experiencias en intervenciones en familias empresarias de hermanos, explora en profundidad aspectos tan importantes como el liderazgo, la comunicación, la sucesión y los valores que se establecen en las relaciones fraternales en torno a una empresa familiar. Como producto de este trabajo, la autora nos entrega un modelo de estudio con el que propone comprender la dinámica relacional que se establece entre hermanos que comparten la propiedad y la gestión de una empresa, así como definir líneas de intervención que puedan incidir en la mejora de sus comportamientos.

In this article, Christina Alvarado presents us with a model for understanding the dynamics in the relationships between brothers in the family enterprise system. She suggests that, as advisors and consultants to these families, we might appreciate more the complexity and depth of these relationships, and how those complexities affect decisions made about the business.

Family Wealth Transition Planning: Advising Families with Small Businesses, by Bonnie Brown Hartley and Gwendolyn Griffith (Bloomberg Press, 2009)
Reviewed by Kay Abramowitz

This in-depth review by Kay Abramowitz explores the comprehensive model presented by Hartley and Griffith. Through clear, substantial case examples, the FWTP model demonstrates its utility and power for helping families make this very difficult transition.

Cracking the $$ Code: What Successful Men Know and You Don’t (Yet), by Patricia M. Annino, Esq. (2009)
Reviewed by Gerard Donnellan

Practitioner Co-Editor Gerry Donnellan reviews a book aimed at all professionals, suggesting Annino’s work is a “must-read” for anyone in our field who wants to learn the keys to professional and personal success. It’s not for women only!

God, Abraham, and Family Business, by Alan Lovins and David Tate

In this enticing and provocative piece, Lovins and Tate ask us to consider the connections we might see in the history of the three major religious traditions of our time and the repetitious reenactments we encounter with our family enterprise clients. Your response and reflections are welcome!

We look forward to including your submissions for the Practitioner Blog and the full-length articles. The Blog is a forum for readers to share their thinking about particular issues of practice. We encourage you to contribute without having to write a more formal or extensive piece. Let us hear from you today!

We extend our thanks to you and all our colleagues for the continuing support.

To submit articles:

Before submitting an article, please check the FFI website for submission guidelines for the Practitioner. This provides all the information you need for requirements. Please forward your submission to:

Gerard Donnellan, Co-Editor
gerryd@big-leap.com
781.863.5354

With copies to:

David Tate, Co-Editor
david.tate@yale.edu

Henry Krasnow, Co-Editor
hkrasnow@ksc-law.com

Para artículos en español, mándenlos a:

Guillermo Salazar, Co-Editor
guillermo.salazar.nava@gmail.com

Tomás M. Bañegil Palacios
tbanegil@unex.es