SHARING WISDOM, BUILDING VALUES; Letters from Family Business Owners to Their Successors

Sharing Wisdom, Building Values offers lessons from twenty-four family businesses the world over - not case studies, but words from the heart of the family business leader themselves.

Sharing Wisdom, Building Values teaches us invaluable lessons regarding family business. One of the clearest lessons learned is that while every family business is unique, they also have much in common in terms of challenges and rewards. The authors show us through these personal letters how family firms from the world over can learn mightily from one another, just as each successive generation in a family business learns from their predecessors.

Denise H. Kenyon-Rouvinez is Head of International Family Business and Philanthropy at RBS Coutts. Based in Switzerland, she is a researcher, speaker, and consultant working with family businesses on governance issues such as establishing strong business boards; defining roles, tasks, and responsibilities for business, family and shareholders; family councils; and performance evaluation and control. She advises business families and families of wealth in America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Denise is a former Senior Associate of the Family Business Consulting Group, Inc. She has authored several books on the topic of family business and received many awards for her research and publications.

Gordon Adler is an American writer, management communications expert and writing coach. Since 1996, he has been Senior Writer at IMD, where he has worked closely with FBN and family business faculty. He works as an editor/writing/communications consultant at leading management institutions and international firms. He has also published in a number of leading journals and magazines.

Guido Corbetta is Professor of Strategic Management, Founder of family business programs, and Chairman of the Strategic and Entrepreneurial Management Department of Bocconi University School of Management, Milan, Italy. He is also a member of the Family Business Consulting Group International and has authored many books and articles on family business issues.

Gianfilippo Cuneo is Founder of Bain & Co., Italy as well as the venture capital fund: Angelventures. Until 1989 he was Director of McKinsey. Mr. Cuneo is well known in Italy for his top management consulting activities for major Italian corporations. He was written four books on management and numerous articles for the leading Italian business newspapers.