Designed for those students who will be entering a family-owned business, now or in the future, or expect to someday establish a business which they can leave to their children. The classes emphasize the tools and techniques that provide the entrepreneur with the greatest opportunity for success. The foundation of learning for the classes comes from case studies, readings, and lively class discussions that focus on practical methods of handling the challenges unique to businesses owned and managed by families. No formal textbook is used and the students make the decisions as to what subjects will be covered and how the class s graded.

Some of the topics covered in prior classes include succession planning, handling conflicts, dealing with non-family members, re-invention of the business, management styles, strategy, and leadership. We also spend considerable time on the practical challenges facing our students, involving the evolution of the enterprise from the first generation entrepreneurial stage into the family business of the second, third and succeeding generations. We work hard to find methods whereby these entities will be successful in the future.