Problems and issues in a small family business: A consultancy project

Abstract

This consulting project was conducted in a small, family business in the c. Through data collection, three main problem areas were identified. These were interpersonal issues, work and home and policies and procedures. Literature was examined and with further data analysis, conclusions and recommendations were formed. Based on these, implementations were suggested. The conclusions came under the three problem areas. For interpersonal issues, it was concluded that there was a lack of experience in the business, the informal culture of the business caused conflict, there were power issues between mother and son, and written and oral communication was poor. For the problems of work and home, it was found that there were difficulties with issues from the home coming into the workplace, a lack of professionalism and the goals of the business were unclear. Policies and procedures in the business were also not in place and this was a concern. Five recommendations were made. These were: • Consult a free small business advice centre for training advice for the manager and the business. • Have regular staff meetings and a meeting to discuss business goals. • Hold a meeting with mother and son and a mediator to resolve power issues and role clarity. I offered my services as a mediator for this. • Improve written and oral communication. Make written ground rules and guidelines to keep the boundaries clear between work and home. Implementation of these recommendations was suggested by: • Listing phone numbers of free small business advice centres so the manager could establish contacts. • Setting up staff meetings and one specifically for business planning and goal setting. • Holding a meeting with a mediator to specifically deal with mother/son conflict. • Starting up a logbook, timesheets and rosters for communication. • Writing down the ground-rules and boundaries for the business so that there is less crossing over between the work and home. Some of these implementations have been applied in the business. These are; the inclusion of staff meetings, rosters, time sheets and the manager has also developed communication with his mother and resolved conflict in their relationship. Implementations being currently worked on are; the free business advice contacts and the written guidelines for the business. The meeting specifically for business planning is a short-term implementation goal.