Transferring your family business: how do you get started?

A family business transfer does not begin when shares are gifted or sold. Ideally, it starts years earlier, with an open conversation about the future of the business.

This raises questions such as:

• Can your children join the family business?
• Under what conditions?
• What role can they take on?
• What if several children aspire to the same role?
• What future prospects can the business offer them?

At the same time, children who are not active in the business also deserve sufficient attention.
How do you keep them involved? How do you prevent differing expectations from creating tension?

More than a legal or tax exercise

When it comes to family business succession, legal and tax considerations are only part of the picture. The greatest challenges are often human ones.

How do you ensure that the family business unites the family rather than divides it? How do you build support for important decisions? And how do you start a conversation about sensitive topics such as ownership, leadership and succession?

It is also important to consider the business structure at an early stage. In some situations, for example, it may be advisable to separate real estate from the operating activities. This creates greater flexibility for the future.

Starting the conversation within the family

The key to a successful transfer? Start early by discussing different scenarios and creating space for an open dialogue within the family.

Good conversations do not always happen spontaneously.

That is why we developed the B-Family game. This card game helps business-owning families start conversations about topics such as family, entrepreneurship, succession and transfer.

Through questions, statements and reflections, the game opens up topics that might otherwise remain unspoken.

Because a successful family business transfer does not begin with a legal deed, but with a good conversation.

Ready to prepare the future of your family business?

Do you already have concrete plans for transferring your family business? Or would you simply like to explore the available options? Starting the conversation early brings peace of mind, clarity and better decisions.

Our experts guide business-owning families through succession, transfer and family governance. Together, we determine the approach that best suits both your family and your business.

Contact our experts for a no-obligation conversation.