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

by Quentin J Fleming (Author) "As a consultant, I am continually being told by people in family businesses that they are unsophisticated and that their lack of expertise on many..." (more)
Key Phrases: revolutionary succession, family peacekeepers, nonemployed spouses, Council of Advisors, United States, Cold Comfort Farm (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"As a family patriarch with sixty years of experience running a family business now ably managed by the fourth generation with the fifth generation readying and waiting in the wings, my reaction to Quentin Fleming's wisdom herein is a hearty "Amen!"! Most of that wisdom I have slowly and often painfully acquired via the school of experience. If only I could have had it all when I started!" -- William K. Coors, Chairman and President, Coors

"As someone who has worked with many family members over the years, I've found that this book offers practical and valuable advice." -- Paul Orfalea, Founder and Chairperson of Kinko's

"Having a family-owned business can be more challenging than driving at 200 mph. This book is a roadmap that helps businesses win the race." -- Parnelli Jones, President and CEO of Sports VIP's Inc., and former winner of the Indy 500

"Insightful, must reading for anyone actively involved in a family business." -- Curt W. Coffman, co-author of First, Break All the Rules

"Keep the Family Baggage out of the Family Business must be read by every parent and every sibling in every family business." -- Jeffrey Fox, author of How to Become CEO

"Quentin Fleming hit the nail on the head--a family business is a "business" first. Apply good business principles first; if the family part works out, that's a bonus." -- David M. Ritz, President and CEO, Ritz Camera Centers, Inc.

"This is a valuable book for anyone engaged in any aspect of a family firm, both for the book's insights and the thoughts inspired by the many valuable observations. This book will help all generations deal with the joys and sorrows of the family business." -- Brooks Firestone, Firestone Tire & Rubber Company and The Firestone Vineyard

"What do you do when the problem person at work is also your family member? This book provides the answer to that and many other questions, and should be required reading for anyone involved in a family business." -- Ken Lloyd, Ph.D., author of Jerks at Work

"Will soon become the bible of family businesses." -- Warren Bennis, author of Organizing Genius

Ken Lloyd, Ph.D. author of Jerks at Work What do you do when the problem person at work is also your family member? This book provides the answers to that and many other questions, and should be required reading for anyone involved in a family business. -- Review

Review
Warren Bennisauthor of Organizing GeniusWill soon become the bible of family businesses.

Dr. Stephen R. Coveyauthor of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleSpeaking from personal experience, such practical, humorous and insightful wisdom should be required reading for ambitious family businesses.

Curt W. Coffmancoauthor of First, Break All the RulesInsightful, must reading for anyone actively involved in a family business.

Ken Lloyd, Ph.D.author of Jerks at WorkWhat do you do when the problem person at work is also your family member? This book provides the answers to that and many other questions, and should be required reading for anyone involved in a family business.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Fireside; 1st edition (February 29, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684856042
• ISBN-13: 978-0684856049
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #81,542 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it as a gift for all family members., February 16, 2000

By	Patricia A. Frishkoff "electric lady" (Oregon) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family Baggage/Deadly Business Sins, July 4, 2000

By	Mark Morris (L.A, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A "Must Read" for Anyone dealing with Family Businesses, June 1, 2000

By	Julia S. Levier "jraleviers" (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

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!