How to Handle Family Owned Business Nuisances
- Thursday, 01 December 2016
It is very common to find family-owned construction businesses. However, sometimes it is a challenge to distinguish family from business relationships when it comes to communicating with the same people on both contexts. Here are a few ways you can better handle your business without sacrificing family well-being.
If you work with family members, it is sometimes very difficult to separate these two areas. However, this is crucial so that both your construction business and family relationships stay healthy. Here are a few tips you should keep in mind for the near future.
Establish boundaries
You must come to an agreement with your family members not to talk about work during family related occasions and vice-versa. Think about it, in a regular work environment you would not address family issues in the work place, nor would you be dealing with clients or your boss during dinner at home. These two environments need to be clearly separated from one another. Be ready to set an example and wear the appropriate hat in each setting. This is crucial if you want to avoid trouble.
A successfully managed business is based on meritocracy
Businesses that don't have skilled leaders are doomed to fail. Don't give family members an easy-pass to the top. Invest in their education and training. Let them develop their own skill set so that they can earn their way to the top, just as any other employee would. This refers to both soft and hard skills needed for each job description.
Avoid nepotism
Nepotism only damages your company. It lets unskilled workers lead the team while other more skilled workers are demoralized and cast aside. This situation would only set up your company for failure. Keep an eye open for loyal, skillful employees. Offer them a raise or promotion regardless of their blood ties to you. Remember, human resources make up your company, therefore you need the best skills you can get if you want great results.
Be ready to make tough decisions
If an employee who happens to be a family member is not doing well or needs more education or training in order to fulfill their job, you need to be ready to make some tough decisions. Letting employees on while you know they cannot deliver the value your company needs will only damage everyone, including themselves. Be ready to ask them to attend a training program or, worst case scenario, be ready to let them go.