The world of fashion is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic figures, Giorgio Armani, who passed away today at the age of 89. The revered Italian designer, known for his timeless elegance, revolutionary tailoring, and the quiet luxury that defined an era, leaves behind an empire built over nearly five decades. While …
Continue reading Giorgio Armani – A lesson in Succession Planning
As generative AI and other technologies continue to transform the workplace, there's a wrong & growing assumption that highly specialised technical skills are the most critical for career success and business growth. However, research (including the latest research published this week by the Harvard Business Review) keeps indicating that foundational skills—like collaboration, adaptability, and logical …
Continue reading Without A Strong, Performing Culture…you will Perish
I was recently in Sweden and was interested in learning about the history of Sweden's monarchy. The story of the Swedish monarchy delivers some very insightful lessons for family business. It all really starts with a certain Gustav Vasa, who is a pivotal figure in Swedish history because he is considered the founder of modern …
Continue reading What the Swedish Monarchical History teaches us about Succession Planning
This will be a long article. It is meant to be read over a stretch of time as for the next couple of weeks I will not be posting any further blog articles. This article is based on what the latest research done across the globe in 2024 and 2025 is indicating with regards family …
Continue reading What is the Latest International Research on Family Businesses telling us?
I would be a much richer man had I collected at least 10 Euros each time a family business owner said this to me - that management is just common sense. This statement, often uttered by business owners, particularly those with a background rooted in operations, reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of what management truly entails. …
The attached is a graph of the Consumer Confidence Indicator (CCI) in Malta from end 2018 to June 2025 and the Major Purchases over the next 12 months (MP12M) indicator over the same period, as published by the Central Bank of Malta in its Economic Updates. . The above gives us a lot of data …
In Malta, where the labour market is notably tight, all businesses—including family businesses that form a significant part of the economic landscape—are finding it increasingly challenging to attract and retain the best talent. This critical scarcity makes it imperative for family businesses to address their unique structural challenges proactively, ensuring that inherent issues do not …
The Central Bank of Malta's Business Dialogue 3/2025 report, just published today, provides key insights gathered from 60 interviews conducted with local non-financial corporations (NFCs) between April and June 2025. This exercise collects information on current business conditions, short-term activity expectations, cost and price changes, investment and employment plans, and wage growth expectations. The below …
Family businesses, the very backbone of Malta's economy, navigate a complex landscape where the personal often intertwines with the professional. While contributing significantly to the nation's commercial fabric, these enterprises are simultaneously grappling with a distinct set of challenges that frequently hinder their growth and longevity. Perhaps the most prominent hurdle facing Maltese family businesses …
Continue reading Helping Family Businesses do a Professional Revolution
Employing or promoting individuals with a strong operator's mindset into managerial positions is a common pitfall for many family businesses. While the dedication and efficiency of operators are invaluable at a certain level, an over-reliance on this skillset in leadership can stifle growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability. This article explores the issues arising from such …
Continue reading Why Managers with an Operator’s Mindset are Traumatic
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