Family Business, Risky Business: How to Make It Work (Paperback)

~ (Author) "From the earliest times and in almost every culture, the family business has been prominent..." (more)
Key Phrases: family genogram, sex mix, family messages, Charlie Lake, Louis Harwood, Lillian Harwood (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In this trail-blazing book, acclaimed consultant David Bork provides a fascinating, candid look inside the workings of family business. He shows how family businesses combine the pressures of business with the complex psychological and social problems that almost every family faces: sibling rivalries, clashes over values and expectations, drug and alcohol abuse, in-law problems, and more. Drawing on his experiences as a counselor to over 200 family-run businesses, Bork shows how families can surmount these difficulties and make life in a family business both profitable and personally satisfying.

Using the concept of the "family system," Bork explains how families either overtly or subconsciously develop and enforce their own traditions and values, often to the detriment of the family enterprise. He shows how the entrepreneurial founder can sow the seeds of lasting success--or sudden collapse--for the family business. He provides much needed guidance for developing a workable succession plan, and he shows how in-laws, children, spouses, and outsiders can be effectively integrated into the business.

About the Author

David Bork is founder of The Aspen Family Business Group and pioneer in the field of family business consulting. His consulting practice specializes in in-depth counseling and planning for family businesses. He pioneered the integrated approach to family business, combining family systems theory, psychological insights into individual development, and sound business practice. Bork has consulted for some of the largest and smallest corporations in North America and has worked with more family-controlled businesses than any other consultant in the United States. His work has been featured in such publications as Fortune, Money, Wall Street Journal, Nation's Business and Family Business Magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 183 pages
• Publisher: Borkinstitute for Family Business; 2nd edition (June 21, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963702807
• ISBN-13: 978-0963702807
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,196,376 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars heavy on the drugs, March 3, 2002

By A Customer

A very good book about business families, but it is rather heavy on dependency and black sheep.

5.0 out of 5 stars Insight and Solid Advice, January 29, 2002

By A Customer

The use of a composite family in a family business was very helpful in bringing out many complex issues. This book was very readable and gave me a much better understanding of family systems theory. If you work in a family business or are a family member in a family business, this book will help you gain valuable insight. It has taught me how to solve many of the problems I was having with my siblings.

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A useful insigth about family businesses, August 24, 1998

By	Antonio Carlos Vidigal "antoniocarlosvidigal" (Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil) - See all my reviews

The book provides an intimate look at family owned companies -- the author sure knows what he is talking about.