FAMILY BUSINESSES
Many people at some stage in their lives consider setting up a business with their partner or other members of their family. The idea may seem very appealing, but the reality of working with someone close to you can often create unforeseen problems. 80% of family-run businesses think that when times get tough, love, romance or family bonds will see them through. But the fact is that although 70% of businesses are family-run, only 40% of these companies survive into the second generation.
Why do so many family businesses fail While money has traditionally been thought of as the root of all difficulties, the major problem is much more basic. In businesses which don’t have family tie or relationships, people find it easier to communicate and to say what is on their mind. In contrast, with family businesses, people often make the mistake of thinking they know what views other family members have without actually discussing with them. There is one strategy which should be employed in all family businesses to protect future problems. As time goes by, one partner may lose interest or not work as effectively as they are expected to. If each partner’s responsibilities are identified from the start so that they know exactly what is required of them, difficulties are less likely to arise as the business develops. It is also recommended to ask yourselves a few "what if" questions before starting a family business. For example, what if one Of the partners brought a friend into the business and the others didn’t like this person What would you all do To avoid this kind of situation, you should talk it over amongst yourselves. This sort of research can make you aware of both your own attitudes and the attitudes of the other members of the family before problems actually occur.
Contracts are another potential problem area. Too many family businesses are run on the most informal terms. People often think it an insult to ask a relative to sign a contract outlining the terms of a business venture. But you should treat the family business like any other business and get a professional to draw up a contract. Whether the business is profitable or not, it is supposed that the shares and who owns them must be clearly defined and written into a formal agreement. It must also be clear who is running the company. Some family businesses take a vote on every decision. Perhaps this exercise in democracy should be applauded, but it created so many complications that in the end the business failed. Even a small committee can sometimes be too large. In matters affecting the entire company, only one of you should be the decision maker. He or she doesn’t have to be the largest shareholder, but should be the one best able to lead the business.
Another type of problems arises when a relative decides to join an already established business. In these cases, you should do everything you can to avoid favouritism. It is important to avoid putting him straight into any kind of managerial position. Instead, encourage him to learn not only the company but the people who make it work by working on the shop floor on the assembly line. They have to prove to be a valuable asset not to the family but to the business.

Why many people find it attractive to start a family business（）