When your name is your business -- Planning successful succession
If your business is closely identified with you or your partners, carefully consider the impact of transferring leadership to other family members, professional managers or new owners before making any drastic changes. This article uses the case of Ben & Jerry's ice cream company to illustrate the best approach to succession when your name is your business.

Business, family demands require good balancing act
Ask anyone who owns a small business, and they’ll tell you how quickly the business can take over your life. Keeping the needs of the business from taking over is tough. Running a business does take time, but keeping a family together does, too. Yes, you do have to make some sacrifices to make your business a success, but your family shouldn’t be one of those sacrifices. So how can you keep the demands of your business in check?

Mentoring may deliver the work force you need
If one of your key managers were to suddenly leave the business or become incapacitated, do you have someone qualified to take that manager’s place immediately? Could you prevent your business from suffering while a replacement grows into the role? If not, a mentoring program might be the answer. Mentoring pairs seasoned employees – mentors – with less experienced employees – mentees – to help foster your employees’ career development and professional growth.