Being an in-law means you have to fight many battles

The sooner you establish rules and a game plan for the family business, the easier it is to adjust

There may be instances where the oldest should run the company, but there may also be instances where that is not the best solution

As I continue working with family pest management businesses, it's interesting to see how the second or third generations view older generations' business performance.

Here is a case study of Arlene (not her real name) and her dad's family business:

We have to focus on family problems first.

Many of my clients bring me in to help decide whether they should sell their family businesses or pass them on to their relatives. The overarching point to keep in mind during this process is that each business is unique. Some firms have relatives working there who probably could not get jobs elsewhere, while other family-owned companies have very capable relatives working there.

Succession planning isn't "birthright" based.

Don't shy away from change. It's a lot easier to have open ears and minds than wide-open checkbooks.