Hello!

Our overall theme of this issue is strategy and leadership succession. True, these are intertwined but they have enough challenges within each to address. Ajay Bhalla’s note on ‘Who dares lose strategic focus’ again warns about the dangers of having too many unconnected businesses. The essential message is: Have diversity but within limits! For this, have strategic plans for 3- 5 years with preparedness to have adequate flexibility (see the summary of Richard Harvey’s article). We have included pieces on successful CEOs with a hope that family businesses will practice planning for leadership succession and have successful CEOs.

A brief note on my trip to attend the US Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship is also included as the theme would be of interest to our readers. By the way, our next training programme on family business is just around. Professor John Ward and I will conduct it during October 25-28, 2010 at the ISB. Please look up the brochure at the link provided and ask me if you have questions. Hope you will take advantage of this opportunity.
 

Best wishes, Professor K Ramachandran Thomas Schmidheiny Chair Professor of Family Business and Wealth Management