Family Business Academy for all
In November, FBN Asia invited the Founders of Montreal-based Business Families Foundation (BFF) Philippe & Nan-b Gaspe de Beaubien, pioneers in the field of family business education, to conduct Asia’s first ever BFF Family Business Academy for Advisors and Educators in Singapore.
The Founders of Montreal-based Businesss Families Foundation (BFF) Philippe & Nan-b Gaspe de Beaubien
The passionate and inspiring couple, who’s family business has 400 years of history, enthralled participants of the three-day course with their very personal and authentic experiences of the multiple dilemmas facing family business owners. They were joined by David Bentall from Vancouver who shared his valuable insights gained from working 20 years in his family’s real estate and construction business in Canada.
The FBN Academy is committed to engage dedicated and progressive business families in our FBN network to participate in shared learning activities. At our November event we asked four of FBN Asia’s very own Asian family business CEOs from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia to join us on the last day of the course to share their practical insights about the topics learnt in previous days. The panelists were candid and generous and participants learnt from the shared experiences of Ibu Shanti (PT Ngrumat Bondo Utomo), Dato Loy Teik Ngan (Taylor’s Education Group), Richard Eu (Eu Yan Sang International Ltd), Mr Frederick Tsao (IMC Pan Asia Alliance Pte Ltd), Philippe & Nan-b Gaspe de Beaubien ( Businesss Families Foundation)
Panelist from left to right: Ibu Shanti (PT Ngrumat Bondo Utomo), Dato Loy Teik Ngan (Taylor’s Education Group), Richard Eu (Eu Yan Sang International Ltd), Mr Frederick Tsao (IMC Pan Asia Alliance Pte Ltd), Philippe & Nan-b Gaspe de Beaubien ( Businesss Families Foundation)
The combination of 86-year old Philippe, 79-year hold Nan-b and our Asian CEOs makes this the first and only family business course in Asia to be conducted just by family business owners themselves. The FBN Academy strives to continue this tradition of integrating business family members perspectives into it’s programs.
Our collaboration with BFF underpins our united goal to develop multidisciplinary teams of advisors and facilitators who can support business families in their learning and growth. As this was the first time this acclaimed international course was conducted in Asia, it attracted participants from all over Asia, the Gulf, Europe and North America. Eight universities were represented, along with trust lawyers, senior bankers, tax partners, family business consultants, senior executives of family business, and both current and next-generation family business owners themselves. The different perspectives gained from group discussions was truly valuable.
To foster deeper learning, participants had to complete a 15-hour online module on Business Family Fundamentals, and live-video cases were used to apply theoretical concepts into practical issues. Participants were encouraged to interact in breakout group discussions, role plays and present their recommendations to Philippe and NanB, who challenged participants with real-life considerations and active feedback.
Participants were fully engaged throughout the course, and learnt about the many tools and processes that can help individuals in the family business systems understand and address the balance between barriers and boundaries. In depth discussions about the role of Independent Board Directors, Shareholders Councils, Family Councils and a Code of Conduct, emphasized that good communication and decision-making processes lie at the heart of family governance, and that family members can work together even if they have radically different objectives.
Among the key takeaway for many advisors and educators who attended was the realization that family business issues are complex, take time and require a measured approach. Advisors must learn to take a step back and resist the temptation to solve the problems for their clients – instead they should help guide the families to let them reach the solutions themselves. FBN Asia members know that a successful business family needs cooperation and coordination. There is room—and a need—for both independence and interdependence, for both coordination and times of isolation, and for both heterogeneous and focused activities. Families who learn together grow together.
Special thanks to FBN Asia Board Member, Law Gin Kye who was instrumental in bringing this programme to Asia. If you would like to join the FBN Asia network or participate in FBN Academy programmes, please email [email protected]
Reviews of the BFF Family Business Academy:
“One of the best if not best trainings I ever attended.”
“Outstanding use of videos and breakout sessions. Very adaptive to energy levels and managing time. Very AUTHENTIC and GENUINE instructors.”
“The combination of family experiences (both in front of and in this room) and the curriculum was a powerful teaching tool”
“Presenters were first class, genuine, authentic, rich experience an willing to share. Simply Excellent!”
“Wonderfully authentic instruction. I left feeling this should have been a 5 day course. Thats the litmus test and the best commendation I can give. Thank you!”
“Am grateful to Philippe, Nan-b & David for sharing their personal experiences and stories. It has been a wonderful and healing experience”
“The personal comments and candid stories shared struck a very deep chord and imprinted very positive impressions. Thank you all.”
“Emotional input greatly assisted the learning impact. Excellent in all aspects.”
Contributed by Elisa Kang, Participant, BFF Family Business Academy for Advisors.