Building a Successful Family Business Board A Guide for Leaders, Directors, and Families

by Pendergast, Jennifer M.; Ward, John L.; Brun de Pontet, Stephanie

• ISBN13: 9780230111547
• ISBN10: 0230111548
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-01-15
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

Boards of directors can help businesses succeed'”yet many family businesses do not have functioning boards of directors that play a valuable role in providing oversight to their businesses. In Building a Successful Family Business Board , the authors show why private firms need the in-depth expertise and objective feedback that a well-chosen board, including qualified independent directors, can provide, and demonstrates how owners and directors can work together to ensure a long and profitable life for the firm. The book provides best practices for owners and directors with step-by-step guidelines for developing and managing a board'”from writing the initial prospectus, through conducting lively meetings, to maintaining open, honest communication between owners, directors, family members, and other stakeholders in the firm.

Author Biography

Jennifer M. Pendergast is a Senior Consultant of the Family Business Consulting Group, Inc, and an experienced management consultant. She has also taught Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Georgia Tech and The Wharton Business School.

John L. Ward is Co-founder of the Family Business Consulting Group Inc. He is Clinical Professor at the Kellogg School of Management and teaches strategic management, business leadership and family enterprise continuity.

Stephanie Brun de Pontet is a Consultant of The Family Business Consulting Group, Inc.  She specializes in building effective ownership teams and advising family enterprises facing important transitions.

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Independent Boards of Directors and Family Business: Introduction to a Powerful Alliance * Chapter 2: Truth and Myths About Boards Meeting the Challenge * Chapter 3: The Role of the Board in the Family Business * Chapter 4: The Special Value of Independent Directors to the Family Business  * Chapter 5: The Vital Role of the Board in Family Business Continuity Planning * Chapter 6: Designing the Board * Chapter 7: Finding and Selecting Directors * Chapter 8: Managing the Board * Chapter 9: Making The Most of Your Board * Chapter 10: Linking Family and Business Governance in Later Generations * Chapter 11: How You Can Contribute As a Director  * Chapter 12: Close: Our Call to Action * Appendices