SMO 627 - Advising Family Business

★ 3 (fi 6) (either term, 3-0-0) In this course students will examine some of the most salient issues facing family businesses from the perspective of a professional advisor. Case studies and recent research will be used to demonstrate how to address fundamental challenges facing family businesses in practice (e.g. communication, governance and succession issues, family conflicts and nepotism). From the perspective of advisors, students will analyze the unique competitive advantages - and disadvantages - of family businesses. Guest speakers who are advising family businesses or who are family business members will share their unique experiences relative to working with, or in, family businesses. The course will be highly interactive and students will be encouraged to discuss how to best address the weaknesses of family firms while simultaneously building their strengths.