Sharing Wisdom, Building Values Letters from Family Business Owners to Their Successors

by Kenyon-Rouvinez, Denise H.; Adler, Gordon; Corbetta, Guido; Cuneo, Gianfilippo

• ISBN13: 9780230111202
• ISBN10: 0230111203
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-12-15
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

Sharing Wisdom, Building Values is a valuable collection of personal family letters written from great entrepreneurs to their family members about business, success and life. Through the words of the notable founders, including Fritz Henkel, Samuel C. Johnson, and Robert Pasin, the inner workings of the family business is revealed. They offer advice and insights on topics such as sibling rivalry, succession, working through difficult times, and social responsibility. These letter serve as a window to the past and can help families build upon the future.

Author Biography

Denise H. Kenyon-Rouvinez is Head of International Family Business and Philanthropy at RBS Coutts. Based in Switzerland, she is a researcher, speaker, and consultant working with family businesses on governance issues such as establishing strong business boards; defining roles, tasks, and responsibilities for business, family and shareholders; family councils; and performance evaluation and control. She advises business families and families of wealth in America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.  Denise is a former Senior Associate of the Family Business Consulting Group, Inc. She has authored several books on the topic of family business and received many awards for her research and publications.

 

Gordon Adler is an American writer, management communications expert and writing coach.  Since 1996, he has been Senior Writer at IMD, where he has worked closely with FBN and family business faculty.  He works as an editor/writing/communications consultant at leading management institutions and international firms.  He has also published in a number of leading journals and magazines.

 

Guido Corbetta is Professor of Strategic Management, Founder of family business programs, and Chairman of the Strategic and Entrepreneurial Management Department of Bocconi University School of Management, Milan, Italy.  He is also a member of the Family Business Consulting Group International and has authored many books and articles on family business issues.

 

Gianfilippo Cuneo is Founder of Bain & Co., Italy as well as the venture capital fund: Angelventures.  Until 1989 he was Director of McKinsey.  Mr. Cuneo is well known in Italy for his top management consulting activities for major Italian corporations.  He was written four books on management and numerous articles for the leading Italian business newspapers.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Introduction	p. xi
Founders	p. 1
Letter, Fritz Henkel, Henkel KGaA, Germany	p. 3
Letter, Baron Marcel Bich, Société BIC, France	p. 6
Letter, Abdurrahman B. Paksoy, Paksoy Tic San A.S., Turkey	p. 10
Letter, Enric Bernat Fontlladosa, Chupa Chups Group, Spain	p. 15
Siblings	p. 19
Letter, Raya Strauss-Ben-Dror, Strauss-Elite Ltd., Israel	p. 21
Letter, Robert Pasin, Radio Flyer, Inc., United States	p. 29
Letter, Kenny Yap, Qian Hu Corporation Limited, Singapore	p. 33
Cousins	p. 35
Testimony, Philippe Nordmann, Maus Frères S.A., Switzerland	p. 37
Letter, Marco Drago, De Agostini S.p.A., Italy	p. 43
Letter, Bertel Paulig, Paulig Ltd., Finland	p. 48
Letter, Luiz Alberto Garcia, Algar Grupo, Brazil	p. 55
Women in Family Businesses	p. 59
Letter, Mona Al Khonaini, Al-Khonaini Trading and Contracting Co., Kuwait	p. 61
Letter, Ardath Rodale, Rodale, Inc., United States	p. 66
Shared Leadership	p. 73
Letter, Dr. Peter Zinkann, Miele & Cie GmbH, Germany	p. 75
Wealth, Trusts, and Stewardship	p. 81
Letter, Steven Waichler, Follett Corporation, United States	p. 83
No Successors	p. 93
Letter, Yoshiharu Fukuhara, Shiseido Company Limited, Japan	p. 95
Family Dynasties	p. 101
Letter, Dino Frescobaldi, Marchesi dè Frescobaldi, S.p.A., Italy	p. 103
Letter, Ichiro Takanashi, Marujin Corporation, Japan	p. 111
Difficult Times	p. 117
Letter, Alberto Falck, Falck S.p.A., Italy	p. 119
Letter, Jesus Anaya, TYLSA Group, Mexico	p. 127
Social Responsibility	p. 133
Testimony, Samuel C. Johnson, S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc., United States	p. 136
Letter, M. V. Subbiah, Murugappa Group, India	p. 143
Testimony, André Mulliez, Mulliez Family Office, France	p. 154
Conclusion: Lessons Learned	p. 163
Bibliography	p. 169
The Authors	p. 173
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