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Explore the historical context of reporting to boards and its relevance in family business dynamics. Learn about the challenges of leadership succession and discover a suggested solution through the creation of a Succession Board of Advisors. Engage in discussions and gather ideas for implementing this approach in your own family business situation.
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WHY IT IS CALLED “REPORT TO THE BOARD” AND NOT REPORT TO THE TABLE? IMPLICATIONS FOR FAMILY BUSINESS BOARDS. Maryanne Peabody & Larry Stybel
OUR MISSION: • Wow your friends at Governance Trivia. • Understand the core missions of Boards of Directors. • How to deal with the most sensitive, critical issue in the life of family dominated companies.
QUESTIONS FOR YOU THIS MORNING: • What Boards have you been on. • Strengths? • Weaknesses?
PRIVATE INVESTORS FROM HOLLAND AND SWEDEN. • South America-Africa Slave Trade. • Swedish settles cultivate tobacco in Delaware Valley. • Dutch settlers cultivate tobacco in Hudson River Valley. • Headquarters on the Island of Manhattan.
DID THE GOVERNANCE MODEL WORK OUT? • “Directors” represented the investors. • Review/approve strategy. • Hire/Fire the CEO. • Make sure the money is being spent correctly.
400 Years of Board Work: • Review and approve strategy. • Hire and fire the CEO. • Review the finances to see how the money is being spent. • Nose In; Fingers Out.
FAMILY DOMINATED COMPANIES. • Since Boards represent the interests of owners. • The owner is usually one dominant family member who also is CEO. • The Board is often composed of relatives and socially/economically dependent “outside” Board members.
When It Comes to Leadership Succession….. • What’s YOUR experience in how it is working out?
pwc • 41% of family firms plan to pass ownership to the next generation within the family. • 30% of family firms succeed from the first to the second generation. • 10% of family firms succeed from the second to the third generation.
A MODEST SUGGESTION: • Succession Board of Advisors (N=3) to report to the Board of Directors. • Composed of “true” outsiders. • One independent ibanker/broker. • One psychologist to assess children and recommend development plans. • One tax professional.
HOW THIS IS WORKING AT OTHER COMPANIES. • Compensation Committee Becomes Compensation and Succession Planning Committee.
DISCUSSION WITH SMALLER GROUPS. • How might this work in your family business situations?
SUMMARY • Boards are supposed to represent the interests of the owners. • In the psychologically sensitive area of succession, they are structured to not do a good job. • Appoint true outsiders (n=3) to a Board of Advisors to advise the Board.