Welcome to the Family Ties^© e-letter brought to you by Pervin Family Business Advisors Inc.

At a recent speech to members of the Law Society of Upper Canada, someone asked me why I continue to create these newsletters and why I give away so much information for free. Simply, I replied, "I'm at a life stage where I want to positively and passionately contribute to the preservation of family enterprise and to assist in the continuous improvement of service delivery to family businesses and business family life" ... and make learning and change a satisfying experience and accomplishment. With that in mind, I invite you to look at the articles and web sites listed below - they are all intriguing - and consider joining FFI and/or the Ontario Chapter if you are in this area.

In upcoming issues, the business family topics will address beneficial aspects of governance, leadership, organization, planning and relationships, to offer a few ideas. If you have a question, a great idea for inclusion in this e-letter, or if you just have some comments you would like to share with us, we want to hear from you!

For your reading pleasure...

SURVEY REPORT
Family-owned businesses are alive and well in 2007. Starting, owning and operating a family business continues to be the cornerstone of the American dream. Many view it as the true road to financial freedom. However, there are some troubling trends that could create insurmountable challenges for family firms across the country.

HOT DOLLAR SPELLS END TO FURNITURE ICON'S RUN
At 172, Ontario's Gibbard Furniture is older than the country. But the family-owned business calls it a day.

A GAME OF RISK
There is a story Lukas Lundin tells about how he and his brother Ian ended up running the family business, the Lundin Group of Companies, which includes the Vancouver-based Lundin Mining Corp.

A BANK'S HISTORIAN SHAKES MONEY FROM FAMILY TREES
"Your family has a history of great tragedy, but also great joy," said Andy Anderson, the chief historian at San Francisco-based Wells Fargo & Co.

SOBEY CLAN KEEPS IT FRESH BY KEEPING IT SIMPLE
Twenty-one years ago, Donald Sobey paid a lunchtime visit to his dying father, Frank, whose body was ravaged with cancer. The 83-year-old Nova Scotia supermarket titan was in his home, eating the only meal he could bear, a simple boiled egg.

THE END OF A 1,400-YEAR-OLD BUSINESS
What entrepreneurs starting family businesses can learn from the demise of Japanese temple builder Kongo Gumi.

DO GOOD, GET A TAN
For some, the ideal vacation not only includes visiting a new place and interacting with its people, but it's also about giving something back to the community at the same time.

Interesting Web Sites...

Is your family business 200 years old?

• The Henokiens Association of Bicentenarian Family Companies

It would be beneficial to subscribe to the following publications. Check them out and decide.

• Families in Business – Campden Publishing. Look at the featured article page and then register. They also have great conferences.

The archives and current information from the next two publications provide a rich resource spanning 20 years.

• Family Business Magazine – The Guide for Family Companies.
• Family Business Review – Published on behalf of the Family Firm Institute, Inc. and www.ffiontario.org.

Thought of the day...

Just in from my Mother, who is 92 years old...

Three sisters ages 92, 94 and 96 live in a house together. One night the 96 year old draws a bath. She puts her foot in and pauses. She yells to the other sisters, "Was I gettin' in or out of the bath?"

The 94 year old yells back, "I don't know. I'll come up and see." She starts up the stairs and pauses. "Was I going up the stairs or down?"

The 92 year old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea and listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, "I sure hope I never get that forgetful." She knocks on wood for good measure. She then yells, "I'll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door."

Two elderly ladies had been friends for many decades. Over the years they had shared all kinds of activities and adventures. Lately, their activities had been limited to meeting a few times a week to play cards.

One day they were playing cards when one looked at the other and said, "Now don't get mad at me.... I know we've been friends for a long time.... but I just can't think of your name! I've thought and thought, but I can't remember it. Please tell me what your name is."

Her friend glared at her. For at least three minutes she just stared and glared at her. Finally she said, "How soon do you need to know?"

Did you know...

Our web site is chock full of interesting and compelling articles for the family business. You can send our articles to a friend, family member or colleague, quickly and easily.

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