June 30, 2011 - Being engaged with family in a business model provides great opportunities for both conflict and shared success. Ignoring the family dynamics in the family business would be like ignoring the lava flow of an active volcano. You know it’s there and you must address it.

March 31, 2011 - How to compensate has been a dilemma since the hunting and gathering societies. From communism to capitalism, mankind has questioned the value of work, education, time and brawn. Even within capitalism, we range from “performance bonus” to “union scale” – a wide variety of employment reward systems to say the least.

March 17, 2011 - Even in an atmosphere where “government service” is in question, “government services” still need to be fulfilled. Someone has to take out the trash, wash the floors after demonstrations, and provide security when full-time resources are reduced. That’s where Manisha Dotson and her Nisha Industries show their stuff. Hopefully, she’s typical of the small beacons of light leading toward economic recovery.

Oct. 21, 2010 - What you don’t say can have as much impact as what you do say. Where a family business is involved, it is even more critical.

July 29, 2010 - Nothing is perfect and neither is a succession process. But with reasonable people and some compromise and collaboration, a good result will be born.

July 1, 2010 - In a family-owned business you want to earn your spot in the succession plan, not just inherit it.

June 17, 2010 - Mixing family and money is a very hot topic and one that generates strong feelings — and sometimes “fisticuffs.” When a business owner is ready to pass on assets to the next generation they often stress the desire to “be fair.”

April 29, 2010 - How to plan for a graceful exit from the family business on your terms — before it's too late

Sept./Oct. 2009 - The critical balance between the business and the family in business-owning families is in constant flux. No recent era would attest to that more than our current economic situation.

November 5, 2009 - As a business owner, most of your time is spent managing the business and the employees, especially in today’s tough economic times. Unfortunately, too many business owners don’t give enough thought to what will happen to their business if they die, and how the business can be passed on to their spouse, children or family in the most tax efficient and least costly manner.