Customer Reviews

Keep the Family Baggage Out of the Family Business: Avoiding the Seven Deadly Sins That Destroy Family Businesses

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the book that I wish I had written! It covers the REAL relationship issues of family business in the easiest-to-read style of any family business book I've seen (and I've read lots). Be warned. This author has the audacity to call it like it is -- about owners, family, and even about lawyers and other consultants. A lot of the book has a more negative focus, looking at the problems caused by family baggage. Use this part to open serious discussions. But, be sure to stick with it until Part V. Pages 41-43 are a must. In paperback, this is bargain priced. We're using it as prizes for our Family Business 2000 Conference in May.

I have been the owner of a family business for over twenty five years and found Mr. Flemings book to be very accurate and insightful. My wife and I both read his book and agreed that we had committed all of the "deadly sins" to some degree over the years. The book was enjoyable to read, humorously presented and it generated a great deal of discussion among our family and friends. Highly recommended!

As a family business counselor and consumate reader, I continually look for new materials that can help clients--family members and non-family managers--better understand the family business enterprises in which they are employed...or enmeshed.

The title of this book turned me off. I know of no family business that can avoid the "socalled 7 deadly sins." Family baggage is part of family business.

Nonetheless, I recommend the book. My usual use of the book is education of non-family managers who work for family business. My favorite reading references for professional managers are by John L. Ward: Keeping the Family Business Healthy, and his revised, expanded update, Strategic Planning for the Family Business.

Family members may be willing to read the book, although I have limited experience with that. I would refer them to books like Working With The Ones You Love by Dennis Jaffe.

This book really captures the dynamics of family business. The author's style blends complex theory and real life examples and communicates the results with clarity, empathy and humor. I read this book in an evening and came away with the feeling of "getting it", that I don't get from a lot of other business books. Oh yes, and in several places I laughed out loud!

I spent ten successful years working for my fathers very successful business. He told me I would take over the business "someday", he had a heart attack and retired but could not give up control. This is VERY common as I learned from this book. I spent the last 3-4 years waiting for him to deal with the future of his business. This book and some others I read finally convinced me to move on with my life. It was a difficult decision, but ultimately freed me to begin my life on my terms. If any owners of a family business are reading this, please read this book and talk with your heirs. Eventually you will die and someone will have to keep your business alive, if they have the desire and interest it may as well be one of your children... This was the best of the family business books I read (I made it through 6). Good luck!!!

This book, in a very neutral way, captures where families can go wrong, in the family business. Must read for all generations, both in and out of the business. Even if things are going great right now, read this book!

This is the book that I wish I had written! It covers the REAL relationship issues of family business in the easiest-to-read style of any family business book I've seen (and I've read lots). Be warned. This author has the audacity to call it like it is -- about owners, family, and even about lawyers and other consultants. A lot of the book has a more negative focus, looking at the problems caused by family baggage. Use this part to open serious discussions. But, be sure to stick with it until Part V. Pages 41-43 are a must. In paperback, this is bargain priced. We're using it as prizes for our Family Business 2000 Conference in May.

This book is a "healthy" reflection of time bombs unique to a family business. As a coach to family businesses, I can't stress enough that what can go wrong will go wrong at the time least expected.

The book's title is somewhat a turn off - in my opinion, these are not sins, but human nature at work - something most people are aware of, but avoid to address - and hope they will magically resolve themselves and go away. Further, there could also be a lack of knowing how to avoid them - or they simply do not apply.

However, I highly recommend the book based on it's content and for the topics covered. It is an easy read, and bargain investment, to figure out if your family business has committed, or is on the road to committing, one or several of the "seven sins".

A good book for parents interested in succession of a family business. Not exactly what I was looking for - that's why the 3 stars. Still enjoyed reading it.

The dynamics of a family business are truly very different from a non-family business. As the book points out, majority of the small businesses in America are family-owned and this book is a good place to start to understand the various roles/dynamics of family members in businesses.