Category: Commentary

You're Adding a Board of Directors. Is Your Management Team Ready?

A Ukraine-based family business installed a board to provide structure as it scaled globally. Here's how the owners overcame top managers' fears and won their support. Photo: The International Board Read more

Announcing Our 2024-25 Schulze Awards Winners

These awards recognize exceptional thought leadership, clarity of perspective, and the ability to bridge research and practice. Each year, the Schulze Publication Awards celebrate the authors of the Read more

These awards recognize exceptional thought leadership, clarity of perspective, and the ability to bridge research and practice. Each year, the Schulze Publication Awards celebrate the authors of the Read more

Rom-Coms Can Complicate Your Succession Planning

Unrealistic depictions of the sacrifices and tradeoffs of family business leadership -- streamed repeatedly -- can color younger people’s attitudes towards taking the helm. Popular TV dramas like Read more

We are launching a short Audience Discovery Survey to learn what you value most, including the formats you prefer, the topics you rely on, and how EIX can support your goals more effectively. Every Read more

The critical thinking, international connectivity, and system-building mindset that make entrepreneurs so valuable can also make them targets of authoritarian regimes. In April 2021, masked men Read more

Like military strategists, business owners face decisions that must balance vision and resources, courage and caution, innovation and discipline. What can small business owners, family firms, and Read more

Addressing Substance Use Disorders in a Family Enterprise

When a family member struggles with addiction, the consequences can ripple throughout the firm and increase its risks. Scott, a seasoned executive in a multigenerational family business, approached Read more

5 Practical Tips for Making Business Decisions With Family Members

Running a family business doesn’t mean always seeing eye to eye, but you can still overcome challenges, resolve conflicts, and evolve as a team. At 13, I unknowingly took part in my first serious Read more

At its core, a champion is the individual within the organization who takes personal responsibility for making the alliance succeed. For venture managers, understanding the champion’s role and how Read more