Thursday, April 30, 2009

Family Office: Family Businesses, Wealth and the Economy

Regarding family businesses, family wealth, and the economy: What are the drivers of risk management we should all be paying attention to during the current turbulence?

One of the central factors family businesses must contend with, especially during a period of economic uncertainty and volatility, is the successful management of risk. Family businesses and families of wealth are seeking the most effective methods for accurately accessing and effectively responding to all sorts of risk – whether it impacts business operations and productivity, governance, maintaining adequate liquidity, human capital utilization, returns on R&D, protecting brand equity, determining M&A options, or the security of personal assets.

Right now, the family enterprise is challenged to employ the most effective strategies for sustaining its competitive viability while world economies wrestle with the fallout of contraction and issues of globalization. This year, therefore it is imperative that your Financial Advisor is focusing on the nature, function, and management of risk - and it is critical to the family enterprise with its complex mix of tradition and innovation.

One could consider these questions:

What is the most critical risk issue my portfolio faces in this current environment?
How is this issue playing out within the unique context of the family enterprise that may be different than another private or publicly-held organization?
What is the most important macro concern family businesses need to be aware of when the turbulence has finally settled?

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