5. How did you come to a clear understanding of your specific roles and responsibilities within the organization?
It took time and years of working together to understand who was better at what and who liked to do what. It did not happen overnight. Our family business has been around for 15 years.
In those 15 years I’ve had several titles within the company, from street team member to account executive, to president of the company, and even back to account director. Sometimes in family-run businesses you can have five titles all at the same time and on the same day … janitor, technology department, accounting department, research department, etc.
You do what needs to be done within an organization in the best manner possible with the best human resources available to handle the business in the most successful manner possible.
6. What is your best advice for those dealing with family members/owners who are resistant to change?
Talk it out! Fear of the unknown cannot be what holds the business back from growth. If a business has been around for any length of time, there is always a possibility of bumping into someone who is resistant to change.
Change is necessary and mandatory in all businesses. It’s what keeps your business relevant to your clients’ needs and demands. If there is a family member / owner resistant to change it’s important to remind the person of the family business plan and how their resistance to change is impacting the business’ growth. This is the time for self-reflection and evaluation.
Sometimes executive decisions have to be made that aren’t always comfortable and agreed upon, but hopefully it’s always in the best interest of the business / company.
7. What is the overall benefit of having a family-run business?
Knowing that you are building something for your children is the biggest benefit to me. We’re looking to build generational wealth within our family; something that we can leave to the generations to come.
It’s not always easy and often times can be very challenging but knowing that it belongs to you is the greatest benefit. The success of the family business is directly related to how hard and smart you work to make it happen.
For more information, check out the MazJac Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/
