I was reading yet another interesting recently published Harvard Business Review article on the succession in family business from the founder to the next generation. The article outlined that founder transitions are among the most emotionally charged and strategically consequential moments in a Family business’s life cycle. In the world of family-owned and founder-led businesses, …
The High Cost of Being “Nice”: Why Leaders Must Prioritise being “Good”
Many modern leaders fall into a dangerous trap: they mistake being "nice" for being effective. While a supportive culture is laudable and the use of empathy & emotional intelligence is essential, an over-emphasis on avoiding discomfort can lead to a culture where tough decisions are avoided and organisational performance is undermined. In essence, many leaders …
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The Soul and the System: Bridging the Gap in Family Business
I was reading the brilliant Harvard Business Review article named "When Being a Family Business Becomes a Competitive Edge" published yesterday. The article outlines that in the journey of every family business, there comes a crossroads where the informal, handshake-driven ways of the past meet the demanding complexities of the future. The pressure to "professionalise" …
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Economic Update – Implications for Family Businesses
The Central Bank of Malta has today just published its latest Economic Update 12/2025. This update portrays a resilient economy with stable growth, though it highlights specific sectoral challenges and persistent domestic uncertainty that directly impact family businesses. Thus I am forwarding a summarised overview of this economic update, with a special focus on the …
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Why This is a Mission, Not a Job
A few nights ago, my wife and I were sitting in the quiet of our living room, reflecting on our working lives She’s seen the long nights, the phone calls taken at dinner, and the weight I carry on my shoulders after a meeting with a family business client. She looked at me and said …
When Cost Trumps Value
This is one of the most delicate blog articles I have every written. So let me be clear from the start. To the family business owner focused on costs rather than value, this is not a condemnation, but a gentle plea for introspection. The legacy you seek to preserve is not held just in the …
What employers should be looking for when employing
This year I was involved in various recruitment processes by our clients. What I found interesting is that employers need to ensure that they are employing persons whilst knowing how the employment landscape is transforming itself because of a seismic shift. Driven by the rapid ascent of Artificial Intelligence, the urgent demands of the green …
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The Double-Edged Sword of Instinct
Many family business owners are celebrated for their lightning-fast decision-making, often driven by deep instinct and years of practical experience. This ability to "jump the gun" and act decisively is frequently the engine that propelled the company from a startup to a success story. Yet, this very strength is often the source of significant instability …
Key Insights from the Central Bank Quarterly Review
The Central Bank's latest Quarterly Review provides a good economic snapshot, highlighting both current operating conditions and deep-seated structural challenges that Maltese family businesses must address to secure their future. For sectors traditionally dominated by family enterprises—such as manufacturing, construction, accommodation, and food services—the report's findings on labour, productivity, and financing are particularly important. The …
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Get the basics RIGHT!
A phone call usually comes in a state of high alarm. A frantic family business owner, facing a perfect storm of structural issues and plummeting performance and a looming sense of confusion, normally reaches out desperately for help. They speak of issues with regards individual employee or managerial performance, declining business performance, uncertainty and market …
A Business Blog for SMEs & Family Businesses 