'Hurrah for spectrum of leadership transition issues addressed!'

Phil Clemens, Tony Martin, Matt Diller, and Dana Chryst

Our Leadership Transition panel shared a range of experiences and perspectives during our breakfast seminar on January 20.   "Hurrah for spectrum of issue provided," said one evaluator. "This provided a variety of 'real thoughts' to identify with and test," another said.

During the course of the two-and-a-half hour presentation, many stories and anecdotes were shared--and as another commenter said, no two stories were the same. Here are just four observances of our panelists:



Tony Martin
Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc.

 "[When you work in family business], there will always by those who feel that family members got the job because they have the right last name. I feel I must work harder and better because of my last name."

--Tony Martin

Dana Chryst
The Jay Group

"Relative to family members working in the business, the key is treating everyone consistently. If a family member has a performance issue, they should be treated the same as anyone else."

--Dana Chryst

Matt Diller
Pre-cast Concrete Systems

"How do you get young people to want to be in the business and be empowered? My parents never told me to come back. I knew they wanted me to, but they allowed me freedom to go away. Don't force your children into the family business."

--Matt Diller

Phil Clemens
Hatfield Quality Meats

"What do you want your legacy to be? If you don't let the next generation take over and make this a legacy business, it dies with you."



--Phil Clemens

The complete presentation will be available on The Network of Family Business website soon.