{"id":3136,"date":"2017-12-20T08:07:19","date_gmt":"2017-12-20T13:07:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=3136"},"modified":"2026-02-12T05:31:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:31:43","slug":"running-a-successful-family-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/running-a-successful-family-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Small business survival skills: How to help your family business thrive"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPeople & Leadership<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSmall business survival skills: How to help your family business thrive\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\tKatrina Frigeri<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Running a small business is challenging, but it\u2019s even harder when you add family dynamics to the mix. Just ask the producers of CNBC\u2019s \u201cThe Profit\u201d or the Food Network\u2019s \u201cRestaurant Impossible\u201d how family drama can impact business. While it might make for entertaining TV, family drama does not have to run or ruin your family business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The keys to success in any business\u2014which are especially important in a family business\u2014include communication, written policies and procedures, and ongoing education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communication matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you spend all day and every day with a family member, you might think you are regularly communicating. However, that kind of proximity can cause you to talk less and assume more. Family businesses often rely on informal rather than formal communication, which means goals, strategies, and plans are rarely recorded and even less likely to be accomplished. It gets even more complicated when you have employees who are not family members and are also involved in the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you make it work? <\/strong>Don\u2019t talk business at the dinner table or at home. Do leave the work at work. This may be difficult to fathom, as the lines between home and business are blurry in nearly every small business dynamic. So schedule regular team meetings at your place of business with a written agenda.  When you meet, review key philosophies, business direction, and budgets so that everyone is on the same page. End team meetings with to-do lists, assignments that include owners and due dates. Also, follow up on all assigned tasks, either with another meeting or scheduled check-in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Policies for progress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Knowledge in any small business is usually spread by word of mouth. It\u2019s a natural format for companies with just one or two people, but as your business grows you lose assurances that information is reaching all of your staff. Documented policies and procedures facilitate training, consistency, and ultimately, a positive customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just consider the questions that come up in your business on any given day. For example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n