Family meetings: learning to plan productively together
Farmer's Weekly|Farmer's Weekly 20 August 2021
Give each person an opportunity to voice their disagreement in your family business, suggests Trevor Dickinson. Doing so will not only reduce resentment, but will help define the role of the next generation.
Trevor Dickinson
Family meetings: learning to plan productively together

Do you worry that conflict might arise if you and your children discuss the future of your family business together? Worse still, do you worry that conflict within the business could harm both family relationships and the operation of the company? You are not alone; many senior-generation leaders like you have sleepless nights about this issue.

The media and entertainment industries tend to accentuate the bad news about family businesses. Their stories about feuding heirs suggest that every family business is headed for disaster, so it’s reasonable to think that your own will suffer the same fate.

Unfortunately, the good news about family businesses is seldom told. When they work well, these companies are often amongst the most efficient and competitive around. And family-based agribusinesses are no different.

Strong family businesses leverage unique the trust, love, and loyalty that don’t exist outside the family. Families in business together have their differences, of course, but in general, they learn to manage these differences.

What if you think your own family members may not be able to sort out their differences? What if you fear that family dialogue will uncover conflict between your children and their spouses, or even between you and your spouse? After all, your differences in the past may have generated arguments and unpleasantness, and tension may smolder beneath the surface, ready to flare up when the discussion commences. Naturally, you’ll be concerned that family meetings might provoke yelling, tears, or someone storming out of the room, any of which could alienate you from one another.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Farmer's Weekly 20 August 2021-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Farmer's Weekly 20 August 2021-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS FARMER'S WEEKLYAlle anzeigen
Uncertainty over Trump's stance on AGOA
Farmer's Weekly

Uncertainty over Trump's stance on AGOA

It is of vital importance that that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) be upheld following the recent US presidential election, in which Donald Trump emerged as the winner.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
Plum pollen study reveals varietal differences in pollination effectiveness
Farmer's Weekly

Plum pollen study reveals varietal differences in pollination effectiveness

A new study undertaken near George, Western Cape, explored pollination in plum varieties, showing key differences in pollen quality. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports on the research findings.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
Study: small cuts to beef production could eliminate years of emissions
Farmer's Weekly

Study: small cuts to beef production could eliminate years of emissions

In a paper published in early November, scientists reveal that pasturelands, in particular those that were once forests, hold great potential for mitigating the effects of climate change.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
Harnessing wind for cleaner energy
Farmer's Weekly

Harnessing wind for cleaner energy

At the Windaba Conference and Exhibition, held in October in Cape Town, Western Cape, Niveshen Govender, CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the state of wind energy in the country and the opportunities that farmers can exploit.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
The Cape Grace: a Cape Town icon is reborn, and her new custodians shine
Farmer's Weekly

The Cape Grace: a Cape Town icon is reborn, and her new custodians shine

Brian Berkman has had the exceedingly good fortune of spending many nights at the Cape Grace Hotel over the years. He revisits it to find it as impressive as ever.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
Cutting-edge tech aiding the agri sector
Farmer's Weekly

Cutting-edge tech aiding the agri sector

Toyota Material Handling's innovations conserve resources and reduce the environmental footprint of farming operations.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
Use the correct growing medium for safe seedling production
Farmer's Weekly

Use the correct growing medium for safe seedling production

Instead of buying expensive growing mediums for seedlings, farmers can make their own mixtures from local resources, such as manure, which are economical and produce excellent results

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
Optimising cherry production and quality
Farmer's Weekly

Optimising cherry production and quality

Growing cherries in a suboptimal climate requires manipulating trees and temperatures. But with a considerable market advantage, it is worth the effort. Lindi Botha visited ZZ2's Toscana farm, which for four weeks of the year takes prime position in the cherry market.

time-read
8 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
Biosecurity & nutrition: the foundation of pig farming success
Farmer's Weekly

Biosecurity & nutrition: the foundation of pig farming success

JD Mostert, a consulting swine nutritionist at CS Vet, and Dr Stefan Steyn, a veterinarian at Afrivet, shared their expertise with Sinenhlanhla Mncwango, delving into why biosecurity and nutrition are critical pillars in establishing and maintaining a productive pig farm geared for long-term success.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
The business of pig farming: practical steps for success
Farmer's Weekly

The business of pig farming: practical steps for success

Running a pork farm requires knowledge and expertise. Mosele Lepheane, director of a small piggery in the Free State, spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about the structured approach needed to succeed, from drafting a business plan and managing cash flow to sourcing equipment and expanding market access.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024