ARTICLES
Trusted Business Problem Solving
Donald Levitt's "Family Business Blog" in Crain's Detroit Business
Every business has its own unique goals and challenges. Dr. Donald Levitt tackles common issues that many family businesses face as they expand and improve their services. Sharing real-life scenarios from real businesses, Dr. Levitt's insights can help shed light on what may be occurring in your family-run business and how best to find success for the future.
- When 'family" is at the heart of the family business (LaFontaine Automotive Group)
- Mentoring the next generation requires trust, learning from mistakes (Bill Perkins Automotive Group)
- Lessons in succession planning from the Ilitch family (Ilitch Family)
- How family-run farms in Michigan are changing (Zeeland Farm Services; Crumbaugh Legacy Inc.)
- Values keep family business going for generations (Edmund T. Ahee Jewelers)
- Chance encounter with Henry Ford starts 4-generation family business (Lou LaRiche Chevrolet)
- Fall of Stroh Brewery a cautionary tale for family businesses (Stroh Brewery Co.)
- At a crossroads, Two Men and a Truck chooses more professional fork (Two Men and a Truck)
- Vesco Oil: What it really means to be a family in business (Vesco Oil)
- Trump's family business tragedy: How you can avoid making same mistakes (Trump Family)
- How Barton Malow handles difficult issues in family business (Barton Malow)
- Crystal Mountain owners offer lessons in family business succession (Crystal Mountain)
- Is the founder of your family business driving everyone crazy? (Rosetti Associates Inc.; Fair Salvage Co.)
- Even after selling a family business, succession planning is necessary (Arbor Investments Group LLC)
- 4 keys to family business success
- How to make your family business last 100 years (A.Z. Shmina Inc.)
- Taking a counterintuitive approach to business – and family (Lipari Foods)
- How to move from family owned to publicly held, while retaining family leadership (Agree Realty)
- How to cultivate entrepreneurship in the next generation
- Hardcore Pawn: Detroit's 'most real' family business (American Jewelry and Loan)
- Family business: Southeast Michigan's forgotten business sector
Articles by Donald Levitt: For Family-Owned and Closely-Held Businesses
As a leading business consulting specialist, Dr. Donald Levitt shares his years of corporate experience and business management expertise to help you develop your business for the future while ensuring positive communication remains between your partners and loved ones. From estate planning and exit strategies to succession planning and executive hiring tips, you’ll love the insights Dr. Levitt offers.
- 12_Steps_for_Successful_Exit_Planning.pdf
- A_New_Approach_to_Estate_Planning.pdf
- Banker_as_Best_Friend.pdf
- Beating_the_Succession_Planning_Blues.pdf
- Board_of_Directors_--_A_Priceless_Opportunity.pdf
- Can_an_HR_Manager_Help_Your_Family_Business.pdf
- Couples_Who_Work_Together.pdf
- Covering_the_Business_Risks_of_Disability.pdf
- Developing_the_Next_Generation.pdf
- Discussing_Estate_Plans_with_Your_Children.pdf
- Estate_Taxes_are_Voluntary.pdf
- Failing_to_Plan_for_Succession.pdf
- Family_Business_Compensation.pdf
- Handling Personnel Issues as You Grow
- Hard-Earned_Lessons_in_Family_Business.pdf
- Investing in Family Harmony
- Keeping Shareholders Onboard and Content
- Listening to Nonfamily Managers
- Planning for Family Business Continuity
- Preserving Family Wealth
- Preventive Maintenance in Each Generation
- Selling Your Business to Your Children
- Successful Business Acquisition
- Ten Rules for Success in a Family Business
- The Hidden Role of the CEO's Spouse
- The Rules of Succession Planning
- When it is Time to Hire a CFO
- When to Consider Change
- Women Family Business Owners are More Productive
Series of Articles by Donald Levitt: The Secrets of Centennial Family Businesses
Whether your family business is incorporating or you're passing your legacy on to the next generation, you’ll find the real-world strategies and insights Dr. Levitt brings to your family business are invaluable. Dr. Levitt regularly speaks for major corporations and has a wide range of expertise in business consulting and common family business issues. Review the articles below for more information.
- Coyle_Funeral_Home_-_A_Focus_on_Helping_Others.pdf
- Kuhlman Corporation -- Honoring the Legacy
- Rieck's -- The Product May Change, But the Quality Remains
- Seeger Metals and Plastics -- Small is Beautiful
- SFC Graphics -- There's Always a Better Way
- The Findlay Publishing Company -- Integrity Through the Years
- The Fremont Company -- Preparing for the Next 100 Years
- The McNerny Companies -- Mentoring Future Generations
- The Mennel Milling Company -- A Century of Values
- Waterville Gas Company -- Humble Yet Confident
- If_You_Want_Your_Family_Business_to_Last_100_Years.pdf