Hugh B. RobertsAll Articles
How to Have Tough Talks in a Family Business
Why Tough Conversations Matter in Family Business Succession Planning In family business succession planning, communication is one of the most overlooked—but critical—factors influencing long-term success. Family businesses often operate at the intersection of emotion and enterprise, making difficult conversations even more complex. With advice from Hugh B. Roberts, this guide shows how to have tough business talks without hurting your family relationships. What Causes Communication Breakdowns in Family Business Succession? Many business owners say, “I thought he understood,” only to find themselves in conflict months later. Often, these issues stem from [...]
Hugh B. Roberts’ Latest Book Reveals the 10 Time Bombs Threatening Family Businesses
Family businesses are a source of pride, legacy, and financial stability—but they can also be a breeding ground for conflict, emotional tension, and operational pitfalls. In his new book, Help! I’ve Got Family in the Business: 10 Time Bombs That Blow Up Family Business, succession planning expert Hugh B. Roberts reveals the critical challenges that threaten family businesses and provides actionable solutions for overcoming them. Roberts, a partner at The Rawls Group, has worked with family business owners for over 40 years, helping them navigate the complexities of succession planning and business continuity. His experience is distilled into this [...]
Succession Planning for Family-Owned Trucking Businesses
Succession planning is crucial for the continuity and growth of family-owned businesses, particularly in the trucking industry. Despite its importance, nearly two-thirds of these businesses lack a formal succession plan, leading to potential disruptions when leadership transitions occur. The Importance of Early Planning According to a 2023 PwC survey, only 30% of family businesses successfully transition from first- to second-generation ownership. The absence of a well-communicated succession plan often contributes to this low survival rate. Tom Marx of Hart Marx Advisors emphasizes the need for early identification of successors, whether within the family or among key employees, to ensure [...]
Striking a Balance: Family and Business Harmony in Succession Planning
"That was my dream - to have my kids join me in the family business, but now it feels more like a nightmare!" This sentiment is all too common among business owners who want to build a family business legacy through succession planning. Why does it work well for some families but not for others? The Contradiction: Family vs. Business The term "Family Business" is contradictory. Family is about unconditional acceptance, while business is about conditional performance. In my experience of over 50 years in succession planning with family businesses, most are imbalanced towards [...]
Blending Family Ties with Business Goals: The Road to Harmonious Succession
Many family business owners aspire to have their children become an integral part of their enterprise. However, merging familial ties with business operations often presents a complex dynamic that can be difficult to balance. The Two Faces of Family Business At first glance, the concept of a 'family business' seems contradictory. In a family setting, bonds are built on unconditional acceptance, cherishing each other for the simple fact of being family. In stark contrast, the world of business is a realm of results and performance metrics. From decades of immersion in succession planning, it's [...]
Preparing Your Successor
Leading with Resilience, Winning Against Tough Competitors, and Overcoming Adversity With over 50 years of family business succession planning experience, we fully understand the challenges of balancing the family or the business when dealing with family members in your company. However, regardless of your approach to grooming your child as a successor owner, the ultimate goal is to ensure they are equipped to take over the business. So, the crucial question is, "Is your successor truly prepared?" If the answer is NO, it's crucial to identify what steps must be taken. Family Business Balance First, let's address one of [...]
