Family Business Program

Select members of the Family Business program celebrate at graduation. From left: Matt and Marie Rabin, Kristy Miller and Sarah Berardi.

Family businesses face the same challenges as other organizations in managing performance issues, succession plans, conflict resolution, accountability and strategic decision-making. But those challenges are often far more personal in family business.  

Through this program, you will learn to view your business through the lens of Family Systems Theory to understand and effectively manage family business issues.   

Key takeaways:

  • Understand that emotions drive our thoughts and our thoughts drive our behaviors. To bring out the best in your family business team, it is vital to understand the role emotions play and how to manage them effectively.
  • A strategy for identifying and leveraging strengths to reach common goals and effectively address conflict.
  • A framework for moving your business forward without sacrificing unity.

The five-week program leverages classroom instruction and interactive discussion, as well as four one-on-one consultations.

Who Should Apply

Owners and key family members of family-owned businesses.  We strongly recommend participation from key family members of different genders and multiple generations.  Individuals in the following roles may also find the program beneficial:

  • Family foundation or top family business leaders
  • Next generation leaders
  • Children, siblings, cousins and spouses

Where and When

At this time our Family Business program is under reconstruction. We appreciate your patience while we improve and update. 

Learn More

To obtain program fees, request a brochure or learn more, contact the CEL at 716-885-5715 or mgt-cel@buffalo.edu.