family businesses are different from public companies

We created Engaged Ownership and The Engagement Toolkit to help family business owners and their advisors understand the distinctive features of family businesses.

Every family business is unique—each has its own goals, culture, operations, opportunities and choices—all of which will be reflective of the family’s history and aspirations. We help owners and advisors learn how to better understand their own Core Capital, Shared Purpose, and Vision, and to then develop governance and strategy through the advisor’s respective expertise.

Core Capital: Human, Enterprise, & Financial

Family enterprises are uniquely able to leverage human and enterprise capital, as well as financial capital, to create and improve opportunities. As an owner or an advisor, having a broad understanding of Human and Enterprise capital is a competitive advantage.

Enumerating all their forms of Core Capital helps business-owning families see everything they have at stake and all they have to work with.

Understanding Core Capital gives decision-makers a wider view and greater awareness of options and tradeoffs as they move forward.

Core Capital is the foundation of the family business’s Shared Purpose, Vision and Mission.

Shared purpose, Vision & Mission

Shared Purpose is the answer to the question: “Why do we want to be owners of this business together, if at all.” Vision and Mission provide clear strategic direction and focus for all stakeholders. These become the foundation for developing governance that fits the family and the business.

Together, Shared Purpose, Vision and Mission amplify the effectiveness of boards of directors, executive decision-making, strategic planning, risk analysis, policies, and governance in general.

Governance, Roles & sKills

Families that understand their Core Capital, Shared Purpose, Vision, and Mission will find it is the foundation for developing governance structures and practices that meet their unique needs and goals.

We teach practical governance skills and structures, how they can be initiated, and how the interconnected roles of owners, board, management, and family play out in decision-making.