22 WESTERN PALLET
definitely integrated more computers and programs, cloud-based backup and whatnot.”
Comment: “My parents were very much at the whim of some bad employees - ones that would sabotage machinery to protect job security. I'm like, ‘This is not healthy. This is not right’. We can do better and as much as we've hired family and friends, I also challenged them. Now we hire for culture, and we won’t if we feel they won’t fit.”
Comment: “One really positive change for the company has been getting my parents to trust people and promote from within for certain roles. We recently promoted a guy from pallet repair to customer service, and it is great because he can bring that knowledge to his new role.”
When is the right time to begin the next generation leadership journey?
In some cases, the answer is “never”. Business founders observe that unless the adult child is passionate about the business, then do not force them into it. In other cases, children who initially are not interested in the business, feel a call to return after working outside of the family company. In other cases, children grow up in the business and have it as a life goal from an early age. Business owners must be mindful of the different mindsets of their children and plan accordingly.
Comment: “Our son did work with us for a couple of years, and it just went completely against the grain of what he was. He had a particular career goal, and it pivoted to a different direction. I think it's super important to know it does not work if it's not their passion. You never should force something. It has to happen organically and in the right way in order for us to have true success.”
Comment: "Our daughter's return to the business developed organically. She was ready to pivot and do something different because she reached the top of where she could go with her last career job. And we just kind of opened up and I asked if coming back would be something she might reconsider."
These were just some of the insights shared at WPA's July MLG session. For full value of networking and all the knowledge shared, why not virtually attend an upcoming meeting?
Upcoming Meetings
August 17 - Mergers & Acquisitions
October 19 - Pallet Owners
November 9 - Women in the Industry
Find out more at westernpallet.org.
Business Succession
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