One of the important associations Shirlaws has is with Family Business Australia, an organisation dedicated to the family owned and run businesses around the country. When you consider the ASX 200 and daily news cycles, this may seem like a niche market - but a majority of businesses in Australia are Family Businesses.

Are there markets you're ignoring because they seem too small, when they're not? If you are a family business, consider the benefits of FBA membership and their upcoming awards. If you're not, ask what you can learn from those companies that leverage their family relationships into thriving organisations?

The 100 Oldest Businesses in the World

The 10 oldest businesses in the world are all family businesses. The first 5 businesses were established before the Maori discovered New Zealand. The first 11 businesses were established before Columbus discovered the Americas. And you get almost all the way to 100 before the English colonised Australia. How does your succession strategy compare?

Family Business Consultants

A key distinction made to me by the team at Family Business Australia is that there are businesses with family, and then there are family businesses. The latter has a set of extra factors at play, which advisors (and coaches) need to consider.

The Daddy Model of Wealth

This essay, Mind the Gap by Paul Graham, is one of the most influential I have ever read. Print it out. Keep a copy close. If you're one of the clients I have sent this to in the past 18 months, now is a chance to read it again. And all of you should immediately forward this email to your three most important clients.

After the Gold Rush

So you don't know who you're top three clients are? Chances are, they don't mind, but this means that you are likely over-servicing some less important clients, and that is not efficient. At the beginning of the year I talked about 2008 being an opportunity for Efficiency. If you didn't listen then, now is the time to reflect on efficiencies for next year - and remember that 2009 probably won't be as forgiving as this year has been.

Intranet Joke of the Week

A young employee turns to a colleague and says "I know he's my dad, but I really feel like punching my boss in the face again."
The colleague is startled: "Again? Did you say again?"

"Sure," says the young man. "I felt like punching him in the face once before."

Until next week,

Jacob Aldridge and the Shirlaws Team 

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