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| “I wanted to write to let you know how very much Jill and I appreciate the positive changes that have taken place in our company since we have been working with you. We began working with you and Ann Marie at a time when we were questioning whether we wanted to continue in a business that we had begun 15 years earlier but had become so burdensome that it was no longer enjoyable or challenging. Jim, you had a way of intuitively getting right to the root of our problems and then offering effective solutions to correct them. You have been an invaluable mentor, teaching us ways to manage people more effectively and to improve our communications. Your expert guidance has helped us make personal decisions as well as shown us the way to take our company to the next level in efficiency and professionalism. You have also encouraged me to bring my relationship with the Lord into the workplace; praying before meetings, before making decisions, and with fellow employees during times of stress and joy. I thank you very much for helping me to find the courage to do that. We look forward to continuing to work with you, utilizing your vast business knowledge and experience to increase our company's profitability in order to grow our company into an industry leader.” Mike Marburger, InsightPipe Contracting
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Our Family Business Process
Our process begins with the family members of the family business agreeing to retain our services. Without this total family commitment our experience has taught us the probability of discovering the right solutions for the family and the business are minimal at best. With the total commitment of the family, discovering the answers that are the right “fit” for the uniqueness of the family becomes a realistic goal.
Each family in business carries emotions that are specific to their personal and business relationships. There is not a “boiler plate” answer that is a “fit” for every family in business. Each solution found must be a solid match for the needs of the family and the business.
Our process begins with the following steps:
STEP I:
STEP II: After this “gathering of information” step we meet with the family to review all information, set priorities, begin dealing with the top priority, facilitate the family in reaching agreement, setting accountability and drive toward implementation of the agreed solution.
These steps enable us to understand the perceptions of each family member concerning both personal and business challenges that affect family relationships and business success.
This process has proven itself to provide family harmony, an executable plan of action and positive bottom line results.
We use all or a combination of six major focus areas in assisting families in discovering the right answers for them. These areas are:
…A process that reduces conflict while enhancing communication and understanding between family members. This process includes the identification of personal behavioral traits, the identification of the “stressors” as well as finding resolution that are in the best interest of the family and the business.
…A step by step method to identify what must take place before and after the departure, or reduced role of the senior generation. This process includes a detailed plan, with the involvement of all working in the business family members, on how the ownership of the company will take place and to whom. The establishment of “roles and rules” needed in order to insure the legacy of the family business will be maintained, is a vital part of this process. A written document describing each agreed upon plan, will be presented to the family in a “draft” form of a “shareholders or partnership” agreement. This “draft” can be used as a “to do” agreement that can be presented to other advisors to insure proper legal compliance and financial requirements.
… This step addresses the needs of the company in each major position, establishes the responsibility and accountability of each position and identifies who is the best “fit” for that position based upon today’s skill sets. This step will identify what each person who desires a specific position must strengthen and how to accomplish that feat. A written document describing how family members enter and leave the business, as well as the requirements needed to attain certain positions within the family business will be the outcome of this process. This process is usually completed in tandem with the Succession Planning Process.
…A process to identify the business culture used to make decisions as well as developing a strategic focus and direction for the short and long term. This strategic focus will include a defined plan, financial commitment; understood accountability with time-tables for execution. Regularly scheduled updates and possible strategic shifts are included. The old strategic planning techniques including, “let’s make another Mission Statement” or “let’s paste up your ideas on little post-it notes” will not work in a business climate that measures success by quick action and decisive execution of strategies. We have the practical experience to move the process in step with a results oriented business environment. Without follow-through and “top-down” involvement the plan will become just another project that never quite got implemented.
…This process takes a look at what the organizational chart of the company should look like with the implementation of the strategic plan. It also includes compensation strategies, career path development and the code of conduct for every family member and employees as well. This process includes assistance for hiring the right people, coaching, promoting, team analysis, 360 peer reviews and on-going development of all employees of a family business.
…With over 40 years of experience in working with families in business we can offer a wealth of “learned family business strategies.” While each family business is unique we can bring this experience into play in helping families find the answers that are right for them. We take on the role of a trusted advisor and confidant to the family “team” and/or their identified business leader. We also act in the role of teachers to the “succeeding generations” in assisting them in obtaining the skills they need to carry on the legacy of the family business. We call upon our practical experiences to assist the families in addressing and resolving specific personal and business challenges they face each and every day. We offer a number of programs that are targeted on issues that families in business face every day. We present these programs by utilizing the technical tools now available in the form of webinars, conference consulting, e-training and other “on-demand” learning strategies that assist the family members in achieving their individual and business goals.
Our fees are based on a flat monthly fee system determined by the needs of the family in business. They include everything described in Steps I and II plus unlimited telephone consultations. We do not charge for telephone consults, mileage (within 2 driving hours of our office), food, stamps, licking envelopes etc. Off-site meeting rooms, overnight lodging and travel for two to the client’s location will be at the expense of the client. We invoice at the beginning of the month and expect payment by the 20th of the month. We do not sign a contract so you can tell us to leave without additional liability. If your family is not living up to their stated commitments we can tell you we are resigning from the services also without any penalty. There are clients who find the timing is not right and not being “locked in” with the ability to get back to us at a later date has been a flexibility that many of our families appreciate.
If your family is really committed to strengthening relationships and sharpening business strategies then it is time to contact us. We have helped many hundreds of family businesses like yours. We will be honored to hear from you. We know we can help.
Jim and Ann Marie Kwaiser
^ Back to Top
Contact us and learn how C.H.A.L.L.E.N.G.E.S. can help your family, organization or family business.
Each family in business carries emotions that are specific to their personal and business relationships. There is not a “boiler plate” answer that is a “fit” for every family in business. Each solution found must be a solid match for the needs of the family and the business.
Our process begins with the following steps:
STEP I:
STEP II: After this “gathering of information” step we meet with the family to review all information, set priorities, begin dealing with the top priority, facilitate the family in reaching agreement, setting accountability and drive toward implementation of the agreed solution.
These steps enable us to understand the perceptions of each family member concerning both personal and business challenges that affect family relationships and business success.
This process has proven itself to provide family harmony, an executable plan of action and positive bottom line results.
We use all or a combination of six major focus areas in assisting families in discovering the right answers for them. These areas are:
…A process that reduces conflict while enhancing communication and understanding between family members. This process includes the identification of personal behavioral traits, the identification of the “stressors” as well as finding resolution that are in the best interest of the family and the business.
…A step by step method to identify what must take place before and after the departure, or reduced role of the senior generation. This process includes a detailed plan, with the involvement of all working in the business family members, on how the ownership of the company will take place and to whom. The establishment of “roles and rules” needed in order to insure the legacy of the family business will be maintained, is a vital part of this process. A written document describing each agreed upon plan, will be presented to the family in a “draft” form of a “shareholders or partnership” agreement. This “draft” can be used as a “to do” agreement that can be presented to other advisors to insure proper legal compliance and financial requirements.
… This step addresses the needs of the company in each major position, establishes the responsibility and accountability of each position and identifies who is the best “fit” for that position based upon today’s skill sets. This step will identify what each person who desires a specific position must strengthen and how to accomplish that feat. A written document describing how family members enter and leave the business, as well as the requirements needed to attain certain positions within the family business will be the outcome of this process. This process is usually completed in tandem with the Succession Planning Process.
…A process to identify the business culture used to make decisions as well as developing a strategic focus and direction for the short and long term. This strategic focus will include a defined plan, financial commitment; understood accountability with time-tables for execution. Regularly scheduled updates and possible strategic shifts are included. The old strategic planning techniques including, “let’s make another Mission Statement” or “let’s paste up your ideas on little post-it notes” will not work in a business climate that measures success by quick action and decisive execution of strategies. We have the practical experience to move the process in step with a results oriented business environment. Without follow-through and “top-down” involvement the plan will become just another project that never quite got implemented.
…This process takes a look at what the organizational chart of the company should look like with the implementation of the strategic plan. It also includes compensation strategies, career path development and the code of conduct for every family member and employees as well. This process includes assistance for hiring the right people, coaching, promoting, team analysis, 360 peer reviews and on-going development of all employees of a family business.
…With over 40 years of experience in working with families in business we can offer a wealth of “learned family business strategies.” While each family business is unique we can bring this experience into play in helping families find the answers that are right for them. We take on the role of a trusted advisor and confidant to the family “team” and/or their identified business leader. We also act in the role of teachers to the “succeeding generations” in assisting them in obtaining the skills they need to carry on the legacy of the family business. We call upon our practical experiences to assist the families in addressing and resolving specific personal and business challenges they face each and every day. We offer a number of programs that are targeted on issues that families in business face every day. We present these programs by utilizing the technical tools now available in the form of webinars, conference consulting, e-training and other “on-demand” learning strategies that assist the family members in achieving their individual and business goals.
Our fees are based on a flat monthly fee system determined by the needs of the family in business. They include everything described in Steps I and II plus unlimited telephone consultations. We do not charge for telephone consults, mileage (within 2 driving hours of our office), food, stamps, licking envelopes etc. Off-site meeting rooms, overnight lodging and travel for two to the client’s location will be at the expense of the client. We invoice at the beginning of the month and expect payment by the 20th of the month. We do not sign a contract so you can tell us to leave without additional liability. If your family is not living up to their stated commitments we can tell you we are resigning from the services also without any penalty. There are clients who find the timing is not right and not being “locked in” with the ability to get back to us at a later date has been a flexibility that many of our families appreciate.
If your family is really committed to strengthening relationships and sharpening business strategies then it is time to contact us. We have helped many hundreds of family businesses like yours. We will be honored to hear from you. We know we can help.
Jim and Ann Marie Kwaiser
^ Back to Top
Contact us and learn how C.H.A.L.L.E.N.G.E.S. can help your family, organization or family business.
Contact us by calling 1888-273-8307
or e-mail us at info@challengesinc.com
or e-mail us at info@challengesinc.com
