2008-2009 Program Schedule

Download a pdf version of this year's brochure. Click here.
Or see descriptions below.

Thursday, October 16, 2008:
“How We Lead Matters”
Reflections on a Life of Leadership

Location: UNH Huddleston Hall, Durham, NH
8:00-8:30 a.m.—Registration and Coffee
8:30 a.m.-noon—Program; followed by lunch and networking

Our featured speaker will be Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Chairman of the Carlson Companies, one of the largest privately held companies in the world providing travel, hotels, restaurants, cruise, and marketing services. Carlson brands include Radisson, Park Plaza, Wagonlit Travel, T.G.I. Friday’s, Seven Seas Travel, Country Inns & Suites… With headquarters in Minneapolis, Carlson-owned and franchised operations employ nearly 200,000 people in more than 150 countries.

Marilyn has been listed by Forbes magazine as one of the “World’s Most Powerful Women” and by US News and World Report as one of “America’s Best Leaders.” Under her leadership sales have tripled and Carlson Companies has become known as one of the best companies to work for. Her motto is “Never forget that your role as a leader is to be a steward
for future generations.”

Marilyn’s father founded Carlson as Gold Bond Stamp Company in 1938. Though large, Carlson companies still share the same family business issues as you. Marilyn will share with you the challenges and obstacles she has overcome:

• Proving to her father that women belonged in business
• Changing the company culture to value and respect employees
• Dealing with family strengths, weaknesses, and tragedies
• Appointing the company’s first non-family CEO

Marilyn Carlson Nelson is also an author on leadership. A copy of her book How We Lead Matters, being released this fall, will be included for families who pre-register. Seating is limited so reserve seats for the whole family soon.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008
“The Strategic Planning Process for the Family Businesses”
How to do it – why it is important.

Location: New Hampshire Distributors, Concord, NH
8:00-8:30 a.m.—Registration and Coffee
8:30 a.m.-noon—Program; followed by lunch and networking

The basic goal of any strategic planning process is to answer three primary questions: Who are we? What do we want to be? How do we get there? This hands-on session will explore the process, steps and benefits of strategic planning for family-owned businesses. The goal is to help you build a strategic plan that is compatible with your family plan. By developing a strategic plan you can:

• Make a plan for the future that reflects your values and purpose
• Improve strategic thinking in the firm
• Improve teamwork and information sharing within your business
• Better manage change
• Explore your competitive advantage
• Gain employee commitment

Wednesday, March 11, 2009
“Governance in the Family Business—
Boards of Directors and
Advisory Boards—
Which one will work best for you?”

Location: The Yard Restaurant, Manchester, NH
8:00-8:30 a.m.—Registration and Coffee
8:30 a.m.-noon—Program; followed by lunch and networking

Governance of a family business is an important cornerstone in the functioning of the business. The fundamental question is, what kind of governance structure will work best for your company? Family businesses have come to recognize the value of getting advice (feedback) from outside their own company and family.

This session will explore the legal, governance, and interpersonal issues of boards and help you answer these questions:

1. What best suits your company—Board of Directors made up of family members only, Board of Directors that includes one or more directors from outside the company, or Board of Advisors? What is the difference?
2. How to find and compensate board members?
3. What is involved in setting up each of these boards?

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
“Impact of Letting Go”

Location: Lake Opechee Conference Center, Laconia NH
8:00-8:30 a.m.—Registration and Coffee
8:30 a.m.-noon—Program; followed by lunch and networking

Okay, Now What!! I am transferring my ownership and responsibilities to the next generation.

This session will explore the impact not only on persons leaving but how it affects the next generation and the employees. Learn what other prominent senior generation owners are doing and what tools they are using to deal with their succession issues. Planning ahead and making decisions today will help both generations move into their new positions in the company more successfully and make the transition easier for the family and the employees.

We will look at the challenges the new generation faces in the day-to-day operations and how the senior generation can provide guidance. Several family business expert advisors will help lead the discussion and there will be ample time for questions. This is a unique opportunity for all family members to learn from experienced family owners how to use planning to handle the developmental issues in the succession process and how to move to the next phase of their lives and the business.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009
“Decision Making in the Family Business”
An interactive discussion of the importance of the decision-making process in a family business.

Location: UNH Browne Center, Interactive Learning Center, Durham, NH
8:00-8:30 a.m.—Registration and Coffee
8:30 a.m.-noon—Program; followed by lunch and networking

This program will examine ways families who work together currently make decisions and explore new decision-making processes. To kick off the morning, families will participate in interactive, fun, and thoughtful exercises facilitated by the Browne Center with the goal of helping teams work more effectively with each other.

Because families in business are closely linked both economically and socially, it is important that the decision-making process reflect the goals of the company and as well as the family’s values. Often decisions are not based on facts but attitudes, perceptions and emotions.

Decisions that affect the business future are important to all family members. The decision-making process becomes even more important when one generation is shifting control to the next generation. Seeking both generations’ opinions, factoring them into a final decision, and communicating (explaining) the decision to all is crucial.

Join families for a lively discussion as they explore the four decision-making methods: autocratic, democratic, consensus and collaborative. Families will determine what kind of decision process works best for different types of decisions. Participants will walk away with an understanding of how to implement the most effective decision-making process for their family.

Membership fee for the year is $1,250.

For more information about joining the Center or to register for the above programs, contact Barbara Draper by phone at (603) 862-1107 or by email at barbara.draper@unh.edu.

To download a brochure describing this year's programs, click here.

If you would like more information about the Center for Family Business and its programs, or know someone who is interested in joining, please contact the office at (603) 862-1107, or E-mail: Barbara Draper.