For generations, family enterprises have formed the bedrock of the global economy, anchored by patient capital, deeply held values, and multi-generational vision. Yet, longevity alone does not guarantee survival. Without a deliberate strategy, even the most cherished legacy risks falling into strategic drift. By applying Michael Porter’s fundamental principles from Competitive Advantage, family businesses can […]
In his 1930 classic The Art of Speculation, market pioneer Philip L. Carret argued that because the future is inherently uncertain, every investor is, by necessity, a speculator. While Carret wrote for liquid public markets, his insights offer a powerful blueprint for family enterprises navigating multi-generational growth and capital preservation. By adapting five of Carret’s […]
In family business governance, personal relationships frequently overlap with commercial strategy. The proverb, “If you see your friend with your enemy, realize that both are your enemies”, captures the essence of political realism popularized by Niccolò Machiavelli in his masterpiece, The Prince (Il Principe). While Machiavelli wrote for sixteenth-century rulers, his insights on power dynamics, […]
The KPMG Global Family Business Report 2026, titled “Facing into the future, confident yet cautious”, gathers perspectives from nearly 2,000 family and founder-led business leaders across 41 countries. The report paints a picture of a resilient global sector standing at a critical juncture: while long-term strategic confidence remains intact, compounding economic friction and technological acceleration […]
A family business is built on the idea of staying: staying through difficult years, staying committed to the name, and staying close to what generations before you created. But what happens when staying is no longer the safest choice? The story of Philips offers an extraordinary answer. When Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands in 1940, […]
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