Harmonize Family Business.
If you involved in a small business that is also a family business, you probably have heard warnings about pitfalls of working with a relatives. Operating a business with a spouse, parents, siblings, children or other family members presents many potential pitfalls over and above the usual problems business owners face.

To help ensure survival of family-run business, you will need to seek a harmonious balance between the needs of the business and needs of the family. The characteristics of a healthy business may not always be compatible with family harmony. when bringing family members into a business for the first time, especially as investors or in a start up situation, you should consider putting the business relationship in writing. Family member sometimes buy into excitement of a business start up with out a clear idea of their role once the business is under way.

In an ongoing family business, it’s important to treat family member fairly. While some experts advise against hiring family members, tat sacrifices one of the great benefits of a family business. Countless small companies would never have survived without dedicated family members. But avoid favoritism. Pay scales, promotions, work schedules, criticism and praise should be evenhanded between family and non family employees.

Don’t become the employer of last resort for every distant relation who calls. Base employment on the skills or knowledge they can bring to the business. If your kids will be joining the business, make them get at least three to five years business experience elsewhere first to help them gain perspective of how the business world works outside of a family setting. problems and differences of opinion are common in a family business, so it’s important to keep lines of communication clear.

Weekly meetings to assess progress, air differences and resolve disputes work well for many family firms. Drawing some lines between business and family life will also help.
For family business operators, it’s tempting to talk shop day and night. But constantly mixing business, personal and home life can lead to trouble. Limit business discussions outside of the office or at least save them for an appropriate time- not at family get-together.

Brought to you by SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business"