Growth Newsletter

Today’s edition of Growth is an example of something that most family business owners and managers would consider stupid – and have probably experienced themselves at some stage.

This week, we’re not sowing the seeds of love, as the 80’s power band Tears for Fears espoused in 1989 (I know, 30 years ago, who’d have thought?). But we are talking sowing the seeds, much like farmers do. Let me explain.

It was before 5am on a Saturday morning. The sun wasn’t up, however Prince, our King Charles Cavalier was. Leaving the back door slightly ajar the previous evening meant that he was the first to notice the dawn chorus. The Willy Wagtails were the opening act and, if there’s the opportunity, Prince quickly follows, even before the Kookaburras break into their glorious early morning song.

Some time ago, I was talking with one of my great clients who lamented a situation he found himself in. He was talking with a supposed expert about an issue and was looking to have a question answered. Instead, all my client was offered was options, not solutions.

One of the most powerful songs I have heard over the past few years is the duet from Zayn and Sia, Dusk Till Dawn. In the modern era of an artist featuring another one, for me it is one of the best combinations not only in terms of the music, but also the lyrics.

Happy New Year! Here’s to a prosperous, exciting and well balanced 2020 – and a decade of evolution, growth and doing more of what you want to do with your life, through your family business.

Most family businesses will wrap up this coming Friday for the well deserved Christmas break. It’s been a long year for a lot of people. Changing economic conditions. Low interest rates. Confounding election results. An increased conversation around climate. Head space in the family business space has been crammed with a lot of stuff. Most people are ready to pull up stumps and get away.

Think about this. By 2030, no car manufactured anywhere in the world will have a manual transmission. That is, the typical H pattern, 6 speed manual with the gear stick in the centre console will be dead. In 10 year’s time. Gone.

And there you have it, the 200 is up. When I first started writing Growth in 2016, little did I imagine that we’d achieve this milestone.

Last Monday, the 25th, was 23 years since my father-in-law, Wal, passed away. A World War II veteran with the Royal Air Force, his passing was sudden and unexpected.