Last time I talked about the great benefit to a family that comes from creating a communications plan before one is needed and how having family together over the holidays can provide an opportunity to create that plan.
Sometimes being together over the holidays and seeing everyone face to face provides unmistakable proof that some difficult decisions need to be made, involving a family business or family member — or both. An important first step is to acknowledge explicitly that those decisions need to be made, whatever they may be. If those involved can agree to start a decision-making process (instead of engaging in denial or delay), they may keep open options that will be unavailable if they fail to take action.
