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3 Tips For Handling Conflicts Within A Family-Owned Business

Operating a family-owned business with your relatives is an opportunity for everyone to grow closer and add to the family's overall wealth. When conflicts occur, not only can the business be impacted, but the relationships between family members could be put at risk. Here are some tips to help you and your family resolve conflicts within the business. 

Conduct Family Meetings

A family meeting is a solid way of discussing business-related topics and ensuring that everyone has a voice. The meeting offers a chance to discuss current situations and plan for the future. 

Do not wait to hold family meetings until there is a conflict. Your family can potentially avoid many conflicts by conducting meetings on a regular basis. For some relatives, knowing that there will be an opportunity to speak out is enough to keep the waters calm until then.  

Create a Plan for Settling Disputes

Inevitably, there will be some issues between family members concerning the business. Creating a plan for settling disputes now can help avoid a situation in which everyone is scrambling for solutions while emotions are running high. 

Some families opt to use a mediation service to help settle disputes. A mediator offers an unbiased view of conflicts. He or she can help each party determine what is and is not important in the conflict and help move everyone towards a resolution. 

If your family does agree to include mediation in its conflict resolution plan, it is important that everyone agree to fully commit to the idea. Each family member has to be willing to put in the time necessary to resolve conflicts and be open to negotiating. 

Establish Boundaries 

Since the business is operated by family, it is easy for conflicts from personal issues to spill over into the business operations and vice versa. Unfortunately, once the lines are blurred, it can be difficult to successfully handle any business-related conflicts that arise. 

To avoid this, you and your family have to commit to establish boundaries between the business and your relationships. For instance, your family can agree to only discuss the business within operational hours. The only exception would be if there were an emergency business situation. 

Resolving conflicts within a family-owned business can sometimes be challenging, but it is not impossible. Taking measures, such as involving a mediator, can help keep your business on track and also keep your family members' relationships intact. 


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