If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’ve been approached about taking over your parents’ business. While congratulations is in order, it’s also a big, difficult decision, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. There are a lot of factors to consider before making the decision to take on such a responsibility. Here are some things to think about as you make your decision.
Are You Ready for the Responsibility?
Taking over a business is a lot of work. Not only will you have to learn the ins and outs of the business, but you’ll also have to deal with employees, customers, and vendors. Are you ready for that kind of responsibility? It’s not an easy task, but it can be very rewarding.
For one, you need to start learning about the business if you haven’t yet. It’s better if you start at the bottom to get a feel of how things operate at the ground level. That way, you can affect change from the top. The more time you invest into knowing the business’ different roles and tasks, the better boss you can become. However, it will take a lot of time—from months to years. You should start as soon as you can if you do plan to take on your parents’ mantle.
Can You Work with Your Parents?
If you decide to take over the business, you’ll have to work closely with your parents. Can you see yourself doing that? It’s important to be able to have a good working relationship with your parents if you’re going to be successful.
It’s important to be able to work with your parents because this requires a level of professionalism that any boss of any company should have. They will be your immediate superiors, for the time being, so you must behave professionally—do all your responsibilities properly, and raise any concerns and objections with respect and data.
Additionally, you should not only focus on your parents—think about your relationships with other employees, too, as they will become your employees later on. Focus on them and the business, not on yourself. After all, a good leader thinks of their followers first before themselves.
Do You Have the Necessary Skills?
Running a business takes a certain set of skills. Do you have what it takes? If not, are you willing to learn? It’s important to be honest with yourself about this because if you’re not willing to put in the work, it’s not going to be successful. At the very least, if you can admit to yourself that your skills are lacking, you have already taken the first step to bettering yourself: acknowledging the problem.
The next step is to develop yourself and upskill. Get training for the position you will be asked to fill. If you have spent time getting to know the business, you will have an idea of what skills you need. Make sure that you have certifications, too, so that you will also appear as a skilled business owner to prospective suppliers, partners, and customers.
If you do not behave professionally or work well, other employees will see you as a product of nepotism. This can have severe effects on the business. If you work well and act professionally, they will see you as a person who is in their own right a good boss to work for. Apart from that, if they can see your abilities in full display, they will trust that you will not drive the business (and their livelihood) to the ground.
Can You Add Value to the Business?
One of the hardest things about inheriting a business is the expectation; not only do you have to fill the shoes of your parents, but you also have to exceed their limits and grow the business. This is where education and training are important. Your parents and their employees have to know that they can trust you to keep taking care of the business.
Stepping Up to the Plate
Once it’s time to take over the business, you must engage in the proceedings as professionally as you can. If you are inheriting a business after a loved one’s passing, this may also involve getting a lawyer to represent you as a beneficiary. Make sure to pay attention to details, and if you are not sure about something, do not hesitate to ask your legal consultants for explanations or advice. After all, you will soon become responsible for everything related to the business, so you must know as much as you can as well. You must also remember that despite it all being your responsibility, you do not have to be alone in carrying it. You have to create meaningful relationships with your employees and colleagues so that you can rely on them and work with them.
Final Thoughts
In order to be a successful boss of a family business, it is important to understand the different roles and tasks involved in the company. You should start learning about the company as soon as possible, so that you can develop the necessary skills to take on the job. It is also important to be able to work with your parents, as this will require professionalism. Finally, you must be able to add value to the business and grow it beyond your parents’ limits. With these things in mind, you are well on your way to becoming a successful boss of a family business.
