The Emotions of Succession

Good to know we are talking about the human 'being' side of succession...and not just the human 'doing'.

Check out this recent article in The Vancouver Sun on the emotional aspects of selling your business.

UPDATE: Sadly their link no longer works and I cannot find the article anymore. I encourage you to browse The Vancouver Sun anyway for succession and family business related topics.

Nexus & The Next Generation

Although just shy of September, I am calling this my Ode to Autumn blog post.

Why Ode?

Well, there is some serious appreciation and recognition needing to go out to some seriously superb next generation superstars.

Recently I came across two fabulous blogs from colleagues of mine:

Christin Cardone McClave, aka FamilyBizChick, has an excellent and intimate blog about her own family business experience and the lessons she's learned.

Carmen Lence Ferreiro, from NextGen Consulting & Coaching, also has a rockin' blog about empowering the next generation of leaders.

These ladies are furthering the family business field and empowering next generation leaders around the world by stepping up to the plate themselves and sharing their stories. Kudos to you!

In addition to the great work these ladies are doing, I need to send a heartfelt thank you to the cohort of learners (you know who you are) at the Bachelor of Arts in Human Development program. We spent a week together in the Bavarian Alps and they did a simply amazing job of coaching me on social media ideas to take my business to the next level. In fact, this blog posting is mostly inspired by YOU!

Why Autumn? 

Well, even though it doesn't feel like summer is over yet, the leaves are falling and nature is preparing itself for a new season...a good reminder that sometimes it's best to shed what we no longer need and gear up for what's coming. 

Christin and Carmen have inspiring words to help us along our way, and if you need some coaching, I can gladly hook you up!

So ask yourself:

"What is it really time to let go of, so I can make room for something new?"

"What would I gain if I could embrace the unknown that is waiting for me around the corner?"

Cheers, 

Niki

ChristinCardoneM

The Authentic Leader in YOU

Back from a blog hiatus, I now have so many ideas and thoughts to share with you.  A common theme for my clients at the moment is around authentic leadership - discovering who you are, what you stand for, and how that plays into your own authentic leadership style.

Here's a great little article from the Harvard Business Review:

Discovering Your Authentic Leadership

What I take away most from the article is this:

"Authentic leaders demonstrate a passion for their purpose, practice their values consistently, and lead with their hearts as well as their heads. They establish long-term, meaningful relationships and have the self-disclipline to get results. They know who they are." Bill George

Especially when working in your family business, it's crucial to be true to who you are and be honest about how that aligns with the family business. Who cares? Check out this Globe & Mail article about having the wrong fit with a family member:

Hiring Unqualified Family Members can Spoil the Well

I'm not sure if it's so much about not being qualified as it is about not be an authentic match.

So what is unique to YOU as a leader?

How are you cultivating your core values into how you show up as a person and as a leader?

How aligned are you with your family's business?

Call me at 250.891.4330 or email me at niki@nexusfacilitation.com to share your thoughts.

I also have a great little exercise on discovering your core values - as soon as I figure out how to post PDFs I'll include it - in the meantime, just ask me!

Thanks Sector!

Very cool that Sector Learning Solutions recognizes and blogs about this kind of stuff...

Stay tuned for my course on "The Power of PowerPoint: Designing Presentations to Engage your Audience".

Join me on May 17 and June 27. More info coming soon!

Cheers to CAFE's Next Gen!

Here's to our Next Gen crew at last month's social at the Irish Times. Come on out and join us on March 30th for the next social...Canoe Club @ 8pm - LIVE MUSIC!

More pics @ SNAP Victoria: http://snapd.at/eecvwj

CAFE's Next Gen Committee: Travis Butler, Mike Hipwell, Adam Wilson, Trevor McCall, Niki Kux-Kardos

Balancing Life as the CEO ~ Chief Emotional Officer

The K² Top 10 to Manage Life as the CEO

Whether you're an entrepreneur or work with your family in the business, your family is affected by your work-life balance, especially when you're the CEO of your business and your family!

Here are the Kux-Kardos Top 10 for balancing life as the Chief Emotional Officer of your Family & Business.

What are your top 2 that help you through..and the top 2 it’s time to review?

10. Fun with Friends. Have good wine on hand and friends to drink it with…you need lots of parties and laughter to burn off steam!

9. Progress vs. Perfection. Realize and remember that you don't have to do it ALL perfectly. As hard as it is, ask for help.  Around the house for example…train your spouse and kids early on that housework is a given not a chore. If all else fails, get a housecleaner!

8. Business = People. Remember that most people in business are the same as you...and have a family at home they need to take care of too. They'll understand  your bind (hopefully) and at times it can break the ice and create a "connection”.

7. Plan Ahead. Put the same thought and attention into family matters and goals as you do for your business. Identifying all of the issues and figuring out how to deal with them before you go ahead will cut a lot of conflict later.

6. Clarify Expectations. Find out every family member’s expectations on everything from finances to time to sacrifices to priorities. Let your family know how much support you will need from each other. The clearer the expectations are, the more understanding and support there will be.

5. Keep Communicating. Communication is key every step of the way. Hold regular family meetings, especially with spouses and older children. This creates an environment where families can make decisions collaboratively and you can recognize and appreciate everyone’s contributions and support.

4. Be Enthusiastic. Talk enthusiastically about how your family can be involved. At the dinnertime sit-downs, rather than focusing only on the challenges and stresses, talk up the pluses of entrepreneurship as well.

3. Bathe Regularly. Don't consider a shower a "treat to yourself”!…If that is your only “you” time, take a look at how well you’re nurturing yourself.

2. Keep Calm & Carry On. Make fun of yourself! The moment you get snarly, it’s time to step back, have a chuckle and remember that life is too short to take so seriously. It’s a good time to go back to #10.

1. Family First. Let nothing come between you and your family. EVER. Business is temporary. Family is forever.

Cheers!
To all the Chief Emotional Officers keeping both our families & businesses together!


Take a look at this family's pact:

GET REAL: Communication & Conflict Management in the Family Business

It's here!

Since going to my first conflict management course in 2003 while we were going through our succession struggles, I have dreamt about creating a customized course series especially designed for families in business.

GET REAL is just that - if you are directly or indirectly involved in your family business, this is your stop for learning how to communicate through conflict and get to solutions that work for relationships that matter. Click the link below to find out more and to register:

GET REAL: Certificate in Family Business Communication & Conflict Management

Courses run in Edmonton, AB and Victoria, BC this March.

Call me at 250 891 4330 if you have any questions!

The UFC Championships - Coming soon!

Alright, I must admit...I'm not a huge fan. In fact, I don't watch UFC at all - and it's not what you think it is.

When it comes to family business, UFC Championships stands for:

The Ultimate Family Communicator Championships!

So who will it be in your family?

Get the training you need with the NEW Get Real Series - A Certificate Program for Family Businesses in Conflict Management & Communication 

Learn what you need to know to manage family business dynamics in a productive way and the skills you need to get you there. 

Email me at niki@nexusfacilitation.com to find out more...or check back here often for the official launch in February!

You Don't Want to Miss This...

1. Are you running family business meetings and not quite getting to where you want to go? Whether you are a family business advisor or member, this course will equip you with facilitation skills to not only navigate through family business dynamics, but also set up a governance structure to get the most out of your family business meetings.

March 5-8 in Vancouver: CAFE Family Council Facilitation Course

I've taken it myself and can work with you to set up your own Family Council, then train and coach you to become your family's facilitator.

On a personal note, my sister and I took the course together and are now equipped to handle our own family meetings!

2. If you are a family business, get ready for the most intimate, influential personal and professional growth experience:

May 23-25 in Ottawa: The CAFE Symposium 2012

Shared experience, inspiring speakers, and interactive workshops leave you with the knowledge you need, the skills to get you there, and the people to support you along the way.

All generations welcome!

See you there in May...

Leadership Excellence for the Top Dog

Leadership style no doubt has a significant influence on the effectiveness and success of your business. So what kind of animal are you?

This Globe & Mail article has a few ideas!

Join the new Tradition!

Do you work with your family in the business, or do you work for a family business? If so:

Come out for the new CAFE VI tradition in Victoria, BC: NextGen Socials!

On Feb. 24th at 8pm find us at: Bard & Banker Pub

Speaking

I love talking about family business anywhere, anytime, anyhow. Here's where I've been so far this year:

Feb. 27 in Victoria, BC -  Roaring Women: Life as the CEO ~ Chief Emotional Officer
Mar. 22 in Edmonton, AB - University of Alberta: Communication in the Family Business
Mar. 29 Webinar - CAFE: Stepping Up. How to Survive as the Apprentice in your Family Firm
May 1 in Munich, GER - Who's the Mentor Now? Keys to Effective Intergenerational Communication
May 31 in Victoria, BC - BDC: Mind over Matter. Mastering the Emotional Undercurrents of Exiting your Business
June 9 in Nanaimo, BC - MNP: Bridging the Succession Gap. What Business Buyers Need to Know

Balancing Family & Business

Whether you work with family in a business, or you are an entrepreneur working from home, mixing family and business is no easy task. Check out my featured tips.


The Globe & Mail:
All in the Family
Entrepreneurship: It's a Family Affair