Sitting in the departure lounge at LAX, I couldn’t help but overhear a conversation between an investment banker and his younger associate. I learned two things. First (and most business travelers can relate), it is amazing how cavalier people are about discussing confidential details in public places.
I was playing my regular Saturday morning squash game and had my friend two games to zero. I was only three points away from taking the match in a clean three-game sweep. But something happened. I started to drift and lose focus.
I recently spoke to a group of US billionaires. Virtually everyone in the room was the beneficiary of a third, fourth or even fifth generation family business. One fellow in particular, a wise old guy, told me that his family shareholder agreement made family harmony mandatory. Mandatory happiness – his wry smile told me everything. […]
When banks weigh in on the subject of family business and succession planning it’s kind of like watching a football player teach dance moves to a ballerina. Business owners couldn’t find a more ill-suited source of information on a hugely important issue. Banks are big and careful and always quick to offer two-handed advice: “on […]
Talk about life imitating art. Last week, flying back from the west coast, I sat beside an elderly gentleman who said he recognized me as the author of Every Family’s Business. I’m thinking this is very cool. After more than 200 speeches I’ve finally made it – I’m not just a best-selling author I’m a […]