Safe Space with Francesco Lombardo

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Sunil Soni, Family Business Advisor with Indian Family Business Network. Many Indian family businesses are still first generation, or beginning to think about the transition to the second generation. Most don’t recognize there are or will be challenges, not knowing what to do about them, and continue to unintentionally “push everything under the carpet”. How can families change this for the better? Sunil’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…if you are thinking about your family business becoming multi-generation, look out 20-50 years in order to recognize how things will change over the years. 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 Author, Speaker and Facilitator, Unni Turrettini from Oslo, Norway. Anyone can feel lonely surrounded by family, friends and colleagues, a successful job or business they love. In fact, many do. What can be done in order to feel a connection? In order to break away from loneliness? It comes down to four elements, beginning with self-worth. Unni’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…Prioritize connection in your business. Find a way for people to contribute more and be seen. 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)

In Part 2 of Francesco’s conversation with Dr. Paul Jenkins, the discussion revolves around values before valuables, people before problems and relationships before rules. Everyone goes through their own stuff. What matters most to you? What feeling makes your life GOOD? Dr. Paul’s piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…heard from a 93 year old neighbour, don’t be too quick to believe everything you think. 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 Dr. Paul Jenkins, professional Psychologist. Why do people shy away from talking about their mental health? Why do wealthy families get stuck? Dr. Paul’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…learn to operate the equipment of your own mind. You don’t need to change a THING, you need to change a THINK. When you learn to operate that equipment, everything else falls into place.

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Bruce Tyrrell and 4th generation family business owner from the Hunter Valley wine region of Australia. When Bruce took over the family business in the 1960’s his father’s only advice was “go and grow the business”. What did that mean to Bruce? How has the vineyard adapted over the years to a people focused, sustainable and successful business? Bruce’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen actually comes from his son…keep half an eye behind you, so you don’t make the same mistakes again. And keep the other one and a  half in front of you because you are looking to improve and move forward.

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Nike Anani, a second generation business owner. In Nigeria, 90% of businesses are family businesses, but statistically only 2% of them survive into the next generation. Why is this happening? It is important for the Senior and NxtGen to have conversations about both the operational AND relational parts of the family business, but where does this start? How will working together on a shared purpose and shared future make businesses more successful for many generations to come? Nike & Franco discuss how family businesses can have a healthy future by developing oneself, having healthy family communication and creating a safe space for this to happen.

This week on the Safe Space Podcast, Francesco Lombardo speaks with Jenny Dinnen, a Mackenzie Corp. second generation family business owner. How do you set up a family business to be successful now and for years to come? Are you looking ahead as the traditional business that was originally started or planning into the future, seeking to understand what the impact of the NxtGen will be? If you aren’t communicating, where will that leave your family business when it’s time for the NxtGen to take over? Jenny’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…know what success looks like to each individual family business member.

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Ken McCracken, family business consultant and teacher.   Why is development of BOTH the senior and next generation so important to the success of the family business?   When family business members are resistant to change, finding ways to help them be open to receive knowledge and help, and not feel threatened is key.   Ken's one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen...please go and get information that is out there because it will help you better understand the challenges that you are facing.

Kevin Hancock returns to the Safe Space podcast to discuss how losing his voice made the family business stronger and more profitable. By understanding for the first time what it was like not to be heard, Kevin changed his vision on running the company, which led to more profit in the last 10 years than the previous 164 years combined.  How did his vision change? What happened in the company that improved profits so significantly? Learn more by listening to this week's podcast.

In this episode of Safe Space, Francesco is joined by Kevin Hancock, who talks about successfully running Hancock Lumber in its 6th generation WITHOUT speaking.  Founders and NxtGen, you are not the identity of the performers of the company Kevin shares. Give your performers a voice, because when people feel authentically heard they are much more committed to supporting the company.    Kevin offers a quote from Gandhi as his advice - "Become the change you wish to see in the world"... or your family business.