WHITE PAPERS
Make new balance sheet to examine human assets
BY MIKE COHN
October 14, 2005, Phoenix Business Journal
You've built a successful company and have decided to help out family members by employing them in the business. What could be better than having trusted family members working together? READ MORE

Reality check needed to avoid pitfalls in hiring family
BY MIKE COHN
August 19, 2005, Phoenix Business Journal
Sometimes family members who have been recruited to join the business can be groomed for the role of president. What could be better than a son or daughter taking over? But before the dream disappears into a cloud of disappointment, do a reality check. READ MORE

Does your company put family or business first?
BY MIKE COHN
January 14, 2005, Phoenix Business Journal
Family businesses are known for their generosity with family members: offering jobs, fast track advancement, understanding and supporting family members with special needs or problems. But family businesses also have a dark side: when family jealousies and arguments overshadow good business decisions. READ MORE

Fairness and Openness in Shareholder Representation
BY MIKE COHN
Fall 2003, TRANSITIONS & traditions
Ask most family businesses about "governance" and a typical answer is having an active board of directors to oversee the affairs of the business. But there is a big gap between knowing what a board does and having an effective one that represents shareholders—especially when there are shareholders not active in senior management roles. READ MORE

The Three Words of Corporate Governance
BY MATT DONOVAN
Fall 2003, TRANSITIONS & traditions
Quick—think of three words relating to corporate governance. How about shareholder, director and officer? Good choices. Virtually everyone can give some sort of definition for each of these words. Fewer, however, can explain the differences between them, or how they relate to one another. READ MORE

Are you ready for 'outsiders'?
BY MIKE COHN
Spring 2003, Family Business magazine
Small and mid-size companies are beginning to realize that having “outsiders” on their board of directors can provide intellectual resources to the family business that, more than ever, needs to compete in a complex, global marketplace. READ MORE

Avoiding scandal: Good intentions won’t do it
What’s ethical? In a family business, it isn’t always easy to tell
BY MIKE COHN
August 2002, Family Business magazine
Most of us are aware of the well-reported scandals at Enron, WorldCom, Tyco International, Global Crossing and Adelphia. But what about all those daily unreported ethical or judgmental lapses that slip beneath the media’s radar? READ MORE