Identifying Roles

• One of the ways family-owned businesses can create boundaries of responsibility is by identifying roles and each individual's primary responsibilities. Resources like job descriptions, titles and organizational charts can help each member of the family see how they fit into the bigger picture. Giving each person the authority to make decisions in their area of responsibility and holding them accountable for results is a key way to strengthening a family-owned business. Roles also help reduce friction. For instance, a brother who is in charge of finance continually tries to assert himself in the design of marketing materials could be reminded of his main role in the business.
  
  

Separating Business from Personal

• One of the main causes of stress within family businesses is when personal problems are mixed with business problems. Resources that help you create boundaries within your business are helpful to keeping your family happy. For instance, setting regular work hours and bonus structures that apply to everyone equally will ensure that family members don't take advantage of the relaxed environment that family businesses typically enjoy. Additionally, personal issues between family members should be kept out of the office and handled separately from business issues.
  
  

Estate Planning

• At least once a year, families should sit down to openly discuss the long-term plans for the business. In the case where the business is owned by parents who employ their children, the parents should be open about the plans for the business upon their deaths. If you are looking to sell your business, or need help determining "who should get what," an estate planner is a perfect resource to help you ensure that after you're gone, your business will be managed in the way you wanted.
  
  

Networking

• Sometimes the greatest resource to small business owners who work with family members is advice from others who are in the same situation. Networking groups through local organizations like your Chamber of Commerce often have subgroups for family-owned businesses where owners can commiserate about the challenges of working with family. Additionally, networking will allow you to share your insights to help another person facing situations similar to yours.