Boards of directors can help businesses succeed--yet many family businesses do not have functioning boards of directors that play a valuable role in providing oversight to their businesses. In" Building a Successful Family Business Board," the authors show why private firms need the in-depth expertise and objective feedback that a well-chosen board, including qualified independent directors, can provide, and demonstrates how owners and directors can work together to ensure a long and profitable life for the firm. The book provides best practices for owners and directors with step-by-step guidelines for developing and managing a board--from writing the initial prospectus, through conducting lively meetings, to maintaining open, honest communication between owners, directors, family members, and other stakeholders in the firm.

Family businesses find many different paths to success. Some, like Wal-Mart become among the world s largest businesses. Others, happily serve a limited market. Whether a business remains small or grows large, every family business at some time or other is faced with issues that center around growth. If you are a member of a business owning family, you may ask such questions as: Do we want this business to grow? Why should we grow it? Is it capable of growing? What sacrifices will growth require? What sacrifices will we make if we don t grow? "Healthy Growth for the Family Business" will help you answer those questions. When leaders of family firms think about growth, they take into consideration not just the business but also how the business growth will affect the family.

You will learn that growth can mean different things to different people, and not just in terms of increases in sales and profits. The way some family business owners look at growth will offer inspiration and spur creativity as you seek answers for your own company. Family shareholders and board members will learn a great deal from this book. When they have a better understanding of the issues involved in growth, these family members can support you in moving the family business in the direction it needs to go. "Healthy Growth for the Family Business" will provide you with practical knowledge. It will help you decide whether to grow and, if so, what type and amount of growth you want. You will learn to avoid the dangers of overestimating your company s ability to grow or under anticipating the company s need for growth.