2021 Annual Retreat

Navigating The Developmental Stages of the Family Business System

Leslie Dashew President of The Human Side of Enterprise, LLC, and Managing Partner of the Aspen Family Business Group, LLC Leslie Dashew’s Bio	Donnel Nunes, PhD Associate at the Aspen Family Business Group, LLC Donnel Nunes’ Bio

All human systems go through developmental stages and it helps to reflect on the past, present and future as we approach these transitions.  Family businesses are among the most complex systems in that the family, the business, the ownership, as well as the individuals involved, all go through their own developmental stages.  At times, the interaction of these transition points creates additional stress for all those involved.

During this retreat, participants will actively participate in an exploration of the developmental
stages facing them at this time, for example:

• Where are you in your life? Young adult? Senior leader?
• Where is your business? Entrepreneurial, growing, maturing or at the renewal/decline
  point?
• Is your ownership in the owner-manager stage? Intergenerational partnership? Sibling
  partnership? Dynasty stage?
• What stage is your family? Young couple to empty nest, branches?
• Are the core components of your business operations integrated? If not, do you have a
  plan to shore up the operating system of your business as you pilot this phase of your
  business?

Succession is an important developmental milestone for family businesses.
This is a process that takes time. It is not an event. We will explore the 7 dimensions of the
comprehensive succession process and have a case study.
Ron Vetter, Chairman and CEO of Vetter Stone in Mankato Minnesota is the 3rd generation
leader of his company. He will share some of the stories of his succession to leadership and
what led up to the successful transition.

Communication—effective communication—is required to succeed in family businesses at all stages.
And it is complex! In family businesses one must have safety, structure and skills in order to
assure thorough communication. We will share some skills, discuss how to establish safe and
open communication and develop the structures (such as family councils, boards of directors
and leadership teams) that facilitate thorough communication.

We will have a panel from SenPlex Corporation (aka Oahu Air Conditioning and Plumbing)
including Brian Sen (President), Tammy Shanklin (Chair of Family Council), Dave Shanklin (family representative on the board) and Phyllis Horner (independent member of the board).
The Panel will talk about the development of their family council and board and how those
organizations have helped foster communication in this 76-year old company.

Leslie Dashew and Donnel Nunes of the Aspen Family Business Group will help participants get their “sea legs” so they can cruise through these waters without hitting any of the submerged rocks along the way!

Program Goals

During this program, we will:

• Share knowledge about the developmental stages of families in business so that
  participants will be able to understand the normal challenges that are faced along the
  way
• Enhance communication skills needed so that the “crew” can work through differing
  perspectives and collaborate effectively during these transitions
• Describe the 7 requirements for successful succession
• Provide opportunities for families to share lessons learned along their voyages so far

Thursday. September 16, 2021
Developmental Stages of Families in Business

Friday. September 17, 2021
Succession Planning

Saturday, September 18, 2021
Communication