Family Business Program Upcoming Events
View our upcoming events that focus on equipping you to own, develop, and conduct your family business.
2024 Events
Next Generation Leadership Institute
September 2024
This cohort-based program equips you for effective leadership as you develop stronger relationships with all your family business stakeholders.
Download Fisher's Next Generation Leadership Institute Brochure [pdf].
Family Governance Institute
Fall 2024
Business-owning families benefit from working on governance: how they make decisions together to support the creation and realization of a shared vision and set the stage for cohesive relationships that can endure the opportunities and challenges of being family and in business together for generations.
The Family Governance Institute offers exercises for families to work on capturing their history, defining and giving examples of shared values, their future vision and their mission - why they exist. Participating families will benefit from facilitated discussions on topics such as “who is family,” “family employment policies,” and “ownership policies,” as well as how to handle conflict. In addition, compile a constitution that includes your governance work.
Through hands-on workshops, families will:
- share among participants
- explore live case studies featuring families who have developed governance practices
- give and receive feedback
- articulate their shared vision in writing
The Institute also facilitates family discussions on how and when to modify and/or adapt governance processes and policies as the needs of the family change over time.
The program includes two on-campus group sessions and one individually scheduled session with an instructor at a location of the family’s convenience.
Email Dr. Carol Wittmeyer (cwittmeyer@sjf.edu) to discuss participating.
Family Business Compensation Forum
Wednesday, Oct. 2
This half-day session will feature compensation and executive search experts as well as family firm leaders who will address recent trends in compensation. Dr. Omar Watts, chair of accounting and finance at Fisher, will serve as the event moderator. Speakers include:
- Bonnie Schindler, partner of CAP Compensation Advisory Partners, who will present the firm’s recent national research on family firm compensation practices and challenges, and will also offer an overview on board compensation.
- Fisher alumna Jill Knittel '94, '03 (MBA), president of JK Executive Strategies, who will share observations from her regional executive search firm.
- A panel of area family business leaders who will share their experiences on compensation policies and practices. The panel will also host a question-and-answer session.
Registration details will be forthcoming.
Looking Ahead
We have several events coming soon:
Webinar: Protecting Family Business Wealth in Today’s Legislative Environment
December 2024
Join us for a lunch-and-learn webinar to hear about the latest developments in Washington, D.C. and their impact on family businesses. A panel of government relations professionals will unveil the results of the new Family Enterprise USA (FEUSA) 2024 Annual Family Business Survey and provide a legislative update on tax policy issues impacting successful families, family offices, and family businesses. This event will offer a Washington, D.C. insider's perspective, critical intelligence, and situational awareness of key tax policy issues. Local members of congress are also invited to share their perspectives.
Coming in Spring 2025:
Family Business Transition Strategies Conference
This conference will be dedicated to planning for transitions in your business from the ownership and leadership perspectives. Learn from Fisher faculty members, advisors, and hear live case studies to help take the next step into your future.
Marketing Your Family Business for Success Forum
Much research has been done on the effectiveness of branding family firms as SJ Johnson does with their tagline, “a family business.” Join us for an interactive session led by regional communications experts and Fisher faculty to hear the research and learn strategies to consider for branding your family business.
Webinar: AI - Implications for Family Firms
Join us for a lunch-and-learn webinar that explore how artificial intelligence is impacting family firms.
Webinar: The “Grey Divorce”
Join us for a lunch-and-learn webinar that explores the new trend of later life divorces and their impact on family firms.
Financial Acumen Institute
Accounting and finance are the language of business - the scorecards that measure success. In this program, you’ll discover a comprehensive approach to financial analysis to help you assess your organization’s financial decisions and understand business drivers. You’ll receive a foundation in basic managerial finance, including terms such as valuation, financing, diversification, and capital structure. In this interactive Institute, you will engage with other family business stakeholders using hands-on tools including a case analysis from a family business and simulations. You will also receive individual coaching from faculty and Fisher students will prepare robust industrial analysis to help provide context for your financial decision-making.
This custom program is designed for family members who are career professionals in business looking to improve their financial acumen and understanding of key finance and accounting practices. Experienced professionals and shareholders not working in the business will also find the program valuable, as the curriculum offers an opportunity to update skills, build confidence, and apply new knowledge.
To pre-register or seek more information, email Dr. Carol Wittmeyer at cwittmeyer@sjf.edu.