In the stunning Palazzo Visconti in Milan, the Institute for Family Governance invited Ineke to moderate a session on her favourite topic: What can Trusted Advisors Do to Help Facilitate a Succesful Inter-Generational Transfer ? Case studies.
According to Ineke, advisors have a great responsibility to teach leaders how to avoid becoming the 'traditional patriarch' without any success in the next generation. Advisors are in a position to set up a family to fail or to endorse families to become a family of affinity. The paradox here is that people who want to keep maximum control over the affairs of their family busines for too long are most vulnerable and powerless in the long-term. A culture of stewardship is the best strategy, but how do you cultivate a new culture in a family ?
The panel members stresed that 'good is not the enemey of perfect' and were trying to find engagement of their 'patriarch' clients in order to improve the outcome of the process. 