Family businesses are unique. Although they share the same basic challenge of other businesses increased productivity and profitability they are vastly more complex by virtue of their being embedded in a family. Issues of: developing separate family and business plans; succession planning; sibling rivalry; compensation inequities; non-family employees; estate planning; family conflicts; corporate legalities; family tax considerations; selection of family enhancing business structures; development of family councils; and outside advisory/board of directors, all add to the complexity.

These, combined with other personally sensitive family issues and business demands, can impact the growth and stability of a family business today.

Philosophy and Approach

Everett understands that sound business, legal and family decisions are tightly intertwined. He believes that successful family businesses are able to clearly delineate the family/business interface and are consistently able to define how family and business goals can constructively interact. No problem is isolated. No solution is developed without respect for the interplay between tradition and innovation. All solutions consider the dynamics and needs of both the family and the business.

Most of Everett's projects begin with a family or business issue or problem. The assessment includes an analysis of both the business and family systems separately and interactively and usually involves all of the family members working in the business. To this end, he draws on extensive interviewing and his use of the Moitoza Family Inventory, as well as other assessment tools. His report details family and business issues, dynamics and strengths, as well as problems; he presents it in writing and/or verbally.

Services to Family-Owned Firms

Everett's family firm work includes:

Succession planning and management Conflicts between parents and their adult children Family and business communications enhancement Organizational growth or down-sizing issues Sibling rivalry issues Selection of optimal business structures and management models Assisting with key management hires Developing executive management teams Executive coaching of family and non family members