Taking Over: Insider Tips from a Third-Generation CEO [Paperback]

Mitchell Kaneff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 22, 2010

Third-generation CEO Mitchell Kaneff knows that when family businesses create and implement an effective strategy for handing over the reins, they enjoy a much higher success rate. In Taking Over, he introduces a straightforward approach to succession planning that addresses the special, overwhelming challenges family-run companies face.
 
Drawing on his experiences, as well as those of other family business owners, Mitchell gives leaders, heirs apparent, and their families the tools and inspiration they need to overcome the turmoil of transition.
 
Taking Over will show you how to: 

• Tackle the complex emotional and psychological issues associated with the family business--before you take it over
• Hire advisors to reduce tension and resolve family conflict--and then cut them loose
• Begin preparing for your exit as soon as you enter the business
• Choose the most competent successor in a measured, detached way--and relinquish control of the company graciously 
• Maintain financial stewardship and preserve family values to pass both wealth and traditions to the next generation 

Filled with candor and real-life stories, this book will help you transfer leadership to the next generation while keeping your company--and your family--intact and thriving.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Third-generation CEO Mitchell Kaneff knows that when family businesses create and implement an effective strategy for handing over the reins, they enjoy a much higher success rate. In Taking Over, he introduces a straightforward approach to succession planning that addresses the special, overwhelming challenges family-run companies face.

From the Back Cover

Mitchell Kaneff always wanted to be a rock star. But when the family business faced especially trying times and its future was in jeopardy, he jumped in to help and became a CEO instead.

Like many generational successions, his was fraught with uncertainty, anxiety, and conflict. Confronted with entrenched family politics, emotional fallout, and difficult legal and financial issues, Mitchell was soon convinced there had to be a more effective--and less stressful--way to weather the transition storms that so often derail family businesses.

When Mitchell emerged successful--though not unscathed--the idea of writing about his ordeal took hold. In Taking Over, he presents a fresh perspective and useful advice to help ease leadership transfer and preserve family legacies. Com­bining Mitchell's expertise with compelling anecdotes, this book is a must-read for anyone involved in a family business today.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Ten Eagles Press; First edition (November 22, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982845464
• ISBN-13: 978-0982845462
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #460,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mitchell Kaneff has worked in the family business, Arkay Packaging - now in its ninth decade - for over thirty years. Founded by his grandfather, Max Kaneff, in 1922, Arkay dominates today's value-added folding-carton industry.

In 1997 Kaneff became Arkay's third-generation leader, carrying on the family legacy with his signature passion and consistently redefining his company's goals to maintain its competitive edge.

Kaneff lives in New York City with his wife and twin sons. "Taking Over" is his first book. Additionally, Kaneff has a rock band, The Young Presidents, in which he plays bass. The band has an album out, "Freedom of Speech," as well as several independent tracks and remixes available on Amazon and iTunes. The duo frequently performs in the metropolitan New York area with prominent guest stars, such as Corey Glover, Ivan Neville and Blondie Chaplin.

Visit Mitchell's company website at www.arkay.com, his author website at www.mitchellkaneff.com, and his band website at www.theyoungpresidents.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book for anyone navigating a small business! November 28, 2010

By Amy Kotulski

Format:Paperback

I am not in a family business, but I run a small business and this book provided me with critical information to help develop effective leadership strategy and corporate culture.
This book is incredibly readable and Mitchell's revelatory writing style and engaging storytelling allows readers to enter his world and find endless ways to identify and immediately apply his advice.
Through Mitchell's tales of business triumphs and tribulations, readers will learn a variety of corporate "best practices" related to emotional intelligence, succession planning and engaging competitors. He provides a tool kit chock full of evergreen advice to guide people at all levels of business to avoid common pitfalls and get the best out of colleagues, managers, subordinates and customers.
I look forward to re-reading this book as an ongoing management refresher course and giving it away as a gift to clients and industry colleagues.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful and easy to read Mitch Kaneff's"TakingOver" April 12, 2012

By norman goldberg

Format:Paperback

"Taking Over" is not a professorial approach to the problems in a family business. It is a direct,clearly written, carefully thought out real world experiences of someone who has lived through the upside and downside world of the dynamics of conflicts and love found in a family business. His examples, and suggested solutions are worthy of family members and their empolyees taking the time to read and digest..Mitch's "Taking Over".. Norman Goldberg

5.0 out of 5 stars feedback from a 4th generation business November 28, 2011

By Bruce Zolot

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

What I found so useful and complete about "Taking Over" was the multi-dimensional aspect of this work - ie: threading both the technical and emotional components; the focus on both generations; the reality check of working from within but also bringing in outside experts / advisors to offer objectivity and expertise. And coming with the credibility of an author who has lived it himself. For myself, as the President of a 4th Generation family business this book resonates.