I have previously written about the why of family meetings and how to commence family meetings. From experience, I have found that out of the gate, family meetings will start with a flourish. Family members are engaged and enthusiastic at this early stage. However, without a champion in the family to make the meetings happen, the busyness of business will overtake family meetings and eventually, they do not happen or worse, they become perfunctory.

Let’s refresh on why we have family meetings. They are intended to be a regular forum where the family can gather to communicate and focus on

– family, and
– the family enterprise.

Rules of engagement should be established and reviewed regularly. For example, be engaged while in the meeting; what is said in the room, stays in the room; all opinions are welcome; all should be respectful and use respectful language while meeting.

Lest we forget, keeping a constant constructive communication within the family will keep the foundation of the enterprise strong.

Some best practices for family meetings:

– regularly scheduled meetings, set in advance
– attendance (in person or skype) is required
– have an agenda set and circulated in advance
– ensure that the agenda addresses and advances any important family / business issues
– use a facilitator so that the agenda and time is considered and respected.

Did you take this lockdown opportunity to have some productive family meetings? If not, then this could be a good opportunity to start.

Good luck and hope this helps to begin the family meeting process for your family enterprise.

Learn, think, apply!