Like every company, family businesses must strive for growth amidst fierce competition, an evolving marketplace, and demanding customers. But family businesses also face a unique set of challenges and opportunities. In this personalized learning experience, you'll discover how to leverage the intrinsic strengths of your family business and to implement practices that drive high performance, shareholder loyalty, and healthy family relationships.

Summary: Like every company, family businesses must strive for growth amidst fierce competition, an evolving marketplace, and demanding customers. But family businesses also face a unique set of challenges and opportunities. In this personalized learning experience, you'll discover how to leverage the intrinsic strengths of your family business and to implement practices that drive high performance, shareholder loyalty, and healthy family relationships.

Key Benefits

In this family business management program, you'll learn how to establish more effective business policies, communication practices and family business structures. Collaborating with family members and colleagues to build an action plan for your business, you'll shape your family's future and prepare to lead your business through each stage of growth.

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Address the complex dynamics of a family business Address the complex dynamics of a family business

Establish a family office separate from the operating business
Manage expectations for the family's involvement with the business
Find better ways to reach common goals and address conflicts
Structure ownership and distribute wealth optimally to benefit the family and the business

Establish a foundation for long-term business success Establish a foundation for long-term business success

Build on your business's strengths and minimize its vulnerabilities
Formulate strategies for growing the company and strengthening competitive advantage
Create a strong board of directors
Develop succession plans and successfully navigate leadership transitions

Expand your personal and professional network Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Key Benefits

Details

Address the complex dynamics of a family business

Establish a family office separate from the operating business
Manage expectations for the family's involvement with the business
Find better ways to reach common goals and address conflicts
Structure ownership and distribute wealth optimally to benefit the family and the business

Establish a foundation for long-term business success

Build on your business's strengths and minimize its vulnerabilities
Formulate strategies for growing the company and strengthening competitive advantage
Create a strong board of directors
Develop succession plans and successfully navigate leadership transitions

Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Who Should Attend

Family business teams of four or more individuals that reflect multiple generations, both genders, and executives from the family office for wealth management .

Participating Companies Have Included:

Bepensa Bebidas, S.A. de C.V.

C&C Alpha Group Limited

Clairmont Trust

EF Education First

Lululemon Athletica

Marvin Engineering

Novus Aviation Capital

Stew Leonard's

Suzano Group

Triple Crown Sports

Dive Deeper into the Experience

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Experience the Case Method in the Classroom

Watch participants debate the issues and present their viewpoints.

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Who Should Attend

Family business teams of four or more individuals that reflect multiple generations, both genders, and executives from the family office for wealth management .

Teams might include:

A chief executive officer or top family business leader and his or her spouse
Children of the business leader(s) and their spouses
Siblings, cousins, and their spouses/partners
Family members who are managers, employees, board members, or shareholders in the business
Nonfamily senior executives from the business
Nonfamily senior executives from the family office
Interested relatives, including in-laws

Participating Companies Have Included:

Bepensa Bebidas, S.A. de C.V.

C&C Alpha Group Limited

Clairmont Trust

EF Education First

Lululemon Athletica

Marvin Engineering

Novus Aviation Capital

Stew Leonard's

Suzano Group

Triple Crown Sports

Dive Deeper into the Experience

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Experience the Case Method in the Classroom

Watch participants debate the issues and present their viewpoints.

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Learning and Living at HBS

When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Learning and Living at HBS: When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Admissions Criteria and Process

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

Admissions Criteria and Process

Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

What You Will Learn

Featuring lectures, case studies, guest speakers, and dynamic interactions, this program draws on faculty members' family business research and consulting work with family companies around the world. You and other family business teams from around the world will discover strategies and best practices that will enable you to meet today's business objectives while planning for the future.

During this family business management program, you will work privately within your own team to create a customized plan that positions your company for ongoing success. A professional family business facilitator will help your team identify your particular challenges and goals and create a practical action plan you can implement immediately. With focused time away from day-to-day concerns, you will be able to share ideas, strengthen relationships, and work together to align and pursue your objectives.

What You Will Learn

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Managing the complex dynamics of the family enterprise system Managing the complex dynamics of the family enterprise system

Integrating the strengths of families and businesses
Preparing for predictable stages of the family enterprise system
Developing constructive family work and shareholder relationships
Managing conflict in business families
Communicating effectively with family members
Balancing the financial needs of the business and the family
Adapting the practices of successful family companies and business families

Growing, preserving, and sharing the wealth Growing, preserving, and sharing the wealth

Implementing strategies for growing the company, while maintaining family control
Distributing wealth and ownership to benefit the family and the business
Raising children in wealthy business families
Building a framework for analyzing direct and indirect investments
Developing a method for understanding and valuing potential investments, including pre-revenue start-ups

Enhancing governance and leadership Enhancing governance and leadership

Developing effective boards of directors and advisory boards
Organizing family assembly and family council meetings
Creating policies and plans for the family's involvement with the business
Developing leaders in the family-business-ownership system

Sustaining the family enterprise Sustaining the family enterprise

Developing the next generation as effective managers, shareholders, and family members
Managing ownership and leadership transitions
Taking charge and letting go of leadership responsibilities
Creating a family office to manage family wealth and investments

Key Topics

Managing the complex dynamics of the family enterprise system

Integrating the strengths of families and businesses
Preparing for predictable stages of the family enterprise system
Developing constructive family work and shareholder relationships
Managing conflict in business families
Communicating effectively with family members
Balancing the financial needs of the business and the family
Adapting the practices of successful family companies and business families

Growing, preserving, and sharing the wealth

Implementing strategies for growing the company, while maintaining family control
Distributing wealth and ownership to benefit the family and the business
Raising children in wealthy business families
Building a framework for analyzing direct and indirect investments
Developing a method for understanding and valuing potential investments, including pre-revenue start-ups

Enhancing governance and leadership

Developing effective boards of directors and advisory boards
Organizing family assembly and family council meetings
Creating policies and plans for the family's involvement with the business
Developing leaders in the family-business-ownership system

Sustaining the family enterprise

Developing the next generation as effective managers, shareholders, and family members
Managing ownership and leadership transitions
Taking charge and letting go of leadership responsibilities
Creating a family office to manage family wealth and investments

The HBS Advantage

Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe

Faculty Cochair

David L. Ager

Senior Fellow in Executive Education. Managing Director, Executive Development, Executive Education. Faculty cochair of "Families in Business."

Read Full Bio

Christina R. Wing

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Technology and Operations Management Unit; and faculty cochair of "Families in Business."

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Joseph L. Badaracco

John Shad Professor of Business Ethics. Member of the Strategy Unit and General Management Unit. Joseph L. Rice, III Faculty Fellow.

Read Full Bio

Mihir A. Desai

Mizuho Financial Group Professor of Finance. Member of the Finance and the Entrepreneurial Management Units.

Read Full Bio

Deepak Malhotra

Eli Goldston Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Negotiation, Organizations & Markets Unit.

Read Full Bio

Ramana Nanda

Sarofim-Rock Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit.

Read Full Bio

Andy Zelleke

MBA Class of 1962 Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the General Management Unit.

Read Full Bio

The HBS Advantage: Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe

Faculty Cochair

David L. Ager

Senior Fellow in Executive Education. Managing Director, Executive Development, Executive Education. Faculty cochair of "Families in Business."

Read Full Bio

Christina R. Wing

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Technology and Operations Management Unit; and faculty cochair of "Families in Business."

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Joseph L. Badaracco

John Shad Professor of Business Ethics. Member of the Strategy Unit and General Management Unit. Joseph L. Rice, III Faculty Fellow.

Read Full Bio

Mihir A. Desai

Mizuho Financial Group Professor of Finance. Member of the Finance and the Entrepreneurial Management Units.

Read Full Bio

Deepak Malhotra

Eli Goldston Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Negotiation, Organizations & Markets Unit.

Read Full Bio

Ramana Nanda

Sarofim-Rock Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit.

Read Full Bio

Andy Zelleke

MBA Class of 1962 Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the General Management Unit.

Read Full Bio

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More Admissions Information

Program content, dates, fees, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.

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Welcoming the Next Generation to a Family Business

Bringing in the next generation requires a plan.

Learn More

Need Help? Contact Us:

Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

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Program Finder

Request the Brochure

Download Brochure

Welcoming the Next Generation to a Family Business

Bringing in the next generation requires a plan.

Learn More

Need Help? Contact Us:

Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

Identify the Right Program for You

Program Finder

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Families in Business

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Address the complex dynamics of a family business Address the complex dynamics of a family business icon-dropdown-down

Establish a foundation for long-term business successEstablish a foundation for long-term business success icon-dropdown-down

Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network icon-dropdown-down

Address the complex dynamics of a family business

Establish a foundation for long-term business success

Expand your personal and professional network

Who Should Attend

Learning and Living at HBS

Learning and Living at HBS