Safe Space with Francesco Lombardo

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Christine Blondel, expert Family Business Advisor and Adjunct Professor of Family Business at INSEAD.   Creating a successful family business is more than just being good at operating the business. Where in the scope of family governance do outsiders come in? Why is it important for family members to become independent for responsible ownership? How is experiencing ordeals going to help both generations grow? Each of these important pieces contribute to a more successful family business. But how? Take a listen!   Christine’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen is simple, listen to each other.   If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Wendy Craft, a lawyer by trade, who “fell” into Family Office about 20 years ago. She is currently Chief Of Staff at Fulcrum Equities, LLC in New York City. In this episode, Wendy & Francesco talk about how keeping up appearances will not make you more successful or happier in the family office. It took many years for Wendy to realize that trying to fit into the perceived family office professional mold wasn’t really about how she dressed or what she knew, it was who she worked for. What can you do to create a safe space in the family office or family business where you’ll be happier, can be yourself and be a better contributor? Take a listen! Wendy’s one piece of advice to the Senior generation…if you love them let them in. Don't wait until it’s too late; hear them, teach them, let them speak their peace, and give them spaces to be involved. For the NxtGen’s, yes maybe you could run the business better but find ways to contribute, find ways to support them instead of trying to wrestle everything away from them, let them be human beings, give them time. If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Ramia El Agamy, second generation CEO at Orbis Terra Media, editor-in-chief of Tharawat Magazine, and host of The Family Business Voice and Women in Family Business podcasts. Why does traditional governance need to evolve for family business to be successful? How have topics and concerns within family business changed? Ramia’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…forever is the most dangerous word in the family enterprise vocabulary. Nothing lasts forever, and nothing should last forever. That is okay, it is not failure, it is evolving.   If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Charlie Rhomberg, 4th generation member of the Schmid family, Crescent Electric Supply Company. Founded in 1919, Crescent Electric Supply has grown significantly over the decades. The 3rd generation of owners realized there needed to be more structure in place for the future generations to keep the business going strong. Now with over 130 family members, how exactly was this accomplished? How is the family keeping the business of the business and the business of the family separate? Why is it just as important for the youngest generations to build connections in the family as it is for the senior generations? Charlie’s advice…for the Senior Generation, continue to work with future generations in developing a plan for what the retirement changeover will look like. NxtGen, learn as much as you can about family history and your roots to create a different kind of connection with the family.   If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

On this week’s Safe Space, Francesco Lombardo is joined by Aubrey Shapiro Ginn, third-generation family business member with Shapiro & Duncan, Inc. where they discuss business succession planning, and how to set up the NxtGen to be successful business owners. In the second-generation of Shapiro & Duncan, the company grew exponentially. As third-generation business members, how do Audrey and the rest of the NxtGen fit into the equation of the continuation of this success? Aubrey’s one piece of advice to the Senior Generation is don’t be afraid of losing control. Her advice for the NxtGen - be patient and learn from the senior generations experiences.   If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Zale Tabakman, first generation owner of Local Grown Salad and his son, Tzvi. Many family businesses make the mistake of mixing work life with personal life. This creates constant conflict, stress and often the demise of the business. In this episode, the group discusses how having clear expectations, setting boundaries, showing respect and learning to trust each other can make all the difference. Tzvi’s advice to the Senior Gen… set healthy boundaries for relationships to be stronger and better. Treat each other with basic respect. Zale’s one piece of advice to the NxtGen… talk about it. Get more information about their products at www.localgrownsalads.com   If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Marisa Zabalak, Educational Psychologist, TEDx & Keynote Speaker and Author. Conflict should be constructive, but it is difficult for many to see it this way. How can family members understand triggers and reactions, and then find the tools and skills to interact with others in order to move forward positively? How can emotions be used as data to give us feedback on interacting with others without using those emotions to manipulate them? Trust should be earned, especially within a family. It’s not just a given. Marisa’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…get curious about yourself and others. If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

Moe Vela joins this week's episode with Francesco Lombardo to discuss the power of identity, and how self-expression leads to purpose in family business. Coming from a family of legacy, a family of pioneers, and growing up in the midst of expectation and responsibility, Moe shares with us his journey as a NxtGen living through trauma and moving towards a journey of healing. Moe's advice to all NxtGen listeners is, "you can either live your life based on what others want you to do, or you can march to the beat of your own drum, thereby enhancing and expanding your family legacy."   Moe has now made American History as the first Hispanic LGBT American to serve twice in the White House in a Senior Executive role. Most recently as the Director of Management and Deputy Chief of Staff to Joe Biden. Now working as an attorney, entrepreneur, and now co-executive producing and co-starring in a new business reality show called Unicorn Hunters.    In this soulful dialogue, Francesco and Moe break down the devastating side-effects of living an authentic life and the struggle to embrace oneself wholly. Moe shares his vulnerable story of survival and success, "knowing that by making myself vulnerable through authenticity, that is the only way I will have meaningful connections with other human beings, in business, and in my personal life".    Moe's one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…authentically be vulnerable, authentically be you, authentically love.

Stephen Hecht returns to the Safe Space podcast to speak with Francesco Lombardo about Nonflict Resolution within the family business. How can families find the tools to resolve conflicts in relationships and within the family business? How does focusing on the NxtGen of the family help us learn and grow? How can families stop the disrespect between generations in the family business?  Stephen’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…conflict can be positive. We need conflict. We need constructive conflict for innovation and growth.   If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Jenny Dinnen and Katie Rucker, second-generation co-owners and co-presidents of Mackenzie Corp. How is being vulnerable an important piece of making a family business successful? What is the narrative you want for yourself and your family business?  Katie & Jenny’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…be vulnerable and open, but get to know yourself first. If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)