Outside managers and family values

The main consideration when considering hiring an external manager is the value that this person can bring to the family business. But even more important is to ensure that external managers know the values ​​of the owner family and know the importance of identifying with the culture of the family business.

If the values ​​and culture of the business family coincide with that of the external managers, integration will be a natural process that will allow them to have a similar point of view on the future of the company and set objectives more easily.

Once the agreements on the topic of values ​​have been clarified, it will be easier to address some important issues such as shareholder policy, teamwork, investments and management tasks.

When choosing the best candidate, one of the main recommendations would be to pay special attention to those managers who know how to take risks and who know the burdens and challenges of running a company.

This will mean that the profile is that of a person with experience in other business projects that can serve as a model for the path that their own company should take in the future, or in other words that they are an expert “captain” who has taken the helm of other companies during various periods of growth and prosperity.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery said, “If you want to build a ship, do not begin by looking for wood, cutting boards or distributing the work, but you must first evoke in men the longing for a free and wide sea.” This is why it is so important that you be a person capable of inspiring and leading the staff so that they identify and get excited about the project. The motivating power of the external manager capable of “infecting” not only the employees but also the owners, will act as a bridge to the future of the company. This is why it would be advisable for candidates to be individuals who are not afraid to take risks and who know the burdens and challenges of running a company during various periods of growth and prosperity. Once you have found the suitable candidates, it would be advisable to: • invest time in getting to know them thoroughly. • present them to family members who are owners and active managers. • maintain a continuous flow of relevant information so they are ready to act • establish a well-defined relationship between owners and external parties • define a mission with clearly defined goals