Workshops for Family Businesses

  • As family members age, their roles in the business are likely to shift. For aging parents and kids alike, the person you were 10 years ago is not the person you are today. Every so often, it’s necessary to reflect and evaluate whether the current roles and responsibilities are still a good fit —personally, professionally, and communally.

    In this workshop, we explore what has changed, what hasn’t, and why. We work with families to explore areas of friction and create solutions that actually work.

    (Recommended format: 3-4 day travel retreat; Also available as a series of multi-day workshops)

  • Relational structures in the family of origin (the founding family) have a way of replicating throughout growing hierarchies, for better or worse. Learn how to use this phenomenon to your advantage, change default operating modes, and counter-architect problematic organizational dynamics.

    Available for families, teams, or speaking engagements.

  • This workshop is designed for family businesses who have not yet started the transition of leadership/ownership to the next generation. Participants will learn about the importance of succession planning, key considerations for a successful transition, and strategies for navigating this complex process while preserving family harmony and business continuity.

    • Understand the importance of succession planning for family-owned businesses

    • Learn about key considerations and best practices for a successful transition

    • Gain insights into communication strategies to facilitate a smooth transition

    • Develop an initial roadmap for creating a succession plan for your family business

  • Each generation of leadership brings its own style and people with it. As new generations rise in leadership, they frequently clash with the “old guard” — or at least, have difficulty getting on the same page, sometimes leading to conflict and premature departures.

    In this workshop, we discuss how different generations build trust, rapport, resilience and relationship capital. We’ll teach you how to build and maintain relationships in the face of generational change, and how to repair erosion.

  • This workshop is designed for family-owned businesses looking to establish or enhance their governance structure as part of their succession planning process. Participants will learn about the importance of family governance, key components of a governance policy, and strategies for implementing effective governance practices to support long-term business sustainability and family harmony.

  • In the early day of a company, it’s often the wild west — people will wear any hat (and every hat!) in order to get the job done. This is a necessary survival skill in the early days, but when companies grow to certain sizes, it becomes developmentally necessary to systematize. Making that shift isn’t always intuitive or organic. In this workshop, we’ll address:

    • What do we mean by structure?

    • How do you build it?

    • How do you maintain it?

    • How to use structure to build (instead of erode) camaraderie

  • A follow-up workshop to Structure 101, we review structure as a form of strategy. We cover:

    • What is design thinking?

    • What is strategic thinking?

    • How do you develop structure as a strategy?

    • The differences between designers, architects, builders, managers, and users.

    • Coaching structure, coaching collaboration.

  • Businesses who have grown organically through strong interpersonal relationships frequently have an underdeveloped muscle when it comes to creating, establishing, and maintaining processes. In this workshop, we teach:

    1. When do you need a process?

    2. Breaking down tasks into a system of parts

    3. Basic process mapping

    4. Documenting, teaching, storing, and updating processes

    5. Best practices for building processes across teams without creating “beauracracy”.


Workshops for Startups

Our workshops provide founders and teams with the essential tools and frameworks to establish a solid foundation for their startups.

  • Some visionaries have amazing ideas but struggle to bridge theory with execution. Communicating this bridge is critical for estabishing effective business operations, particularly when building early traction/momentum. In this workshop, we coach visionaries on how to better engage and support their operations teams by either communicating more clearly, or passing the baton to someone who can.

  • Have you grown to a point where you need to know who’s doing what, but you don’t have time to build that system? Or are egos getting in the way of productivity?

    In this workshop, we facilitate practical, tactical tool-building and decision-making for coordinated juggling instead of dropped balls.

  • Navigating the trifecta of skills, desire, and capacity is akin to conducting a symphony where each member plays a vital part in harmony. This workshop peels back the layers to reveal the essence of building a team that resonates with the rhythm of your business goals. Together, we'll explore the art of discerning the capabilities (skills) that each member brings to the table, their passions (desire) that fuel their drive, and their bandwidth (capacity) to contribute effectively. With a blend of engaging discussions, insightful case studies, and actionable strategies, you'll leave equipped to compose a team that not only performs but thrives in the crescendo of business challenges.

  • Bright visionaries with complex, big ideas sometimes have difficulty communicating those ideas succinctly, particularly if their field of expertise is highly technical (and their audience is not). In this workshop, we work with founders/visionaries to better frame their idea for their target audiences so they get the reactions they want.


Other Workshops

Sometimes, our clients need really practical tools for their teams, and we like building those. So here are a few:

  • Dive into the art and science of orchestrating meetings that not only reach their goals but energize participants. In "Mastering Productive Meetings," we’ll explore strategies to ensure your meetings are efficient, engaging, and essential. From setting clear objectives to fostering an inclusive environment where every voice is heard, this workshop will transform the way your team collaborates. Prepare to leave with actionable insights that can be implemented immediately, leading to more meaningful discussions and decisions.

  • Unlock the potential of your team by learning how to lead with trust and clarity, steering clear of the pitfalls of micromanagement. "Leading with Trust: Beyond Micromanagement" offers leaders strategies to empower their teams, encourage autonomy, and foster a culture of accountability. Discover how trust-based leadership can lead to higher motivation, better results, and a more harmonious workplace.

  • Processes are the lifelines of operational excellence. "The Art of Process Design" workshop guides you through creating, documenting, and refining processes that enhance productivity and eliminate inefficiencies. Whether you're establishing new protocols or revamping existing ones, you’ll learn to design processes that are clear, scalable, and aligned with your team's goals. This workshop is a must for anyone looking to streamline workflows and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

  • Email etiquette completely lost on certain employees? Let us hammer home how important it is to avoid embarrassing email faux-pas so that you don’t have to.

  • If you’re not a Boomer but you work with Boomers, and you feel frustrated, then this workshop is for you!

    Boomers have different relaionship modalities than current generations. They are more likely to talk on the phone, meet up in person, and have specific expectations for how to establish trust, power and rapport. In this workshop, we teach rationales and best practices to non-Boomers so that they can relate more collaboratively and effectively, with a lot less frustration.

  • If you’re a Boomer working with younger generations and you feel mystified, then this workshop is for you!

    Our current epoch is unique in that each generation has a very different modality of navigating relationship —everything from proximity to scheduling to body language. These have specific ramifications for how you’ll need to establish trust, authority and rapport. In this workshop, we teach rationales and best practices to Boomers so that they can relate more collaboratively and effectively, with a lot less frustration.

  • Imagine networking as a journey where each interaction is a step toward a richer professional landscape, rather than a transactional exchange. This workshop is designed to transform your approach to building professional relationships, from the foundational handshake (or digital equivalent) to cultivating a flourishing network garden. We'll share the secrets to making genuine connections that grow and the strategies to nurture these bonds over time. Through practical exercises, including creating an engaging introduction and mastering the art of meaningful follow-ups, we'll guide you on how to expand your professional circle with authenticity and intention. Ideal for those looking to weave a stronger web of professional alliances that support mutual growth and opportunity.

  • Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful teams. "Cultivating Communication Hygiene" focuses on essential practices to keep team interactions healthy, clear, and productive. From setting communication standards to navigating difficult conversations, this workshop equips you with the tools to enhance dialogue and understanding across all levels of your organizationItem description

  • A well-oiled machine requires regular maintenance, and so do your operational systems. "Systems Hygiene: Maintaining Operational Health" teaches you how to conduct regular check-ups and clean-ups of your processes and systems, ensuring they remain efficient, scalable, and aligned with your business goals. Learn techniques to identify redundancies, streamline operations, and keep your systems in peak condition.