Fearless Family Business

In this episode, Adam welcomes Peter Bissonnette, former President of Shaw Communications and author of 'Count On Me: My Life Lessons and Legacy as a Former President of Shaw Communications.' Peter shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood to leading a multi-billion dollar family business. Despite facing emotional hardships and growing up in humble beginnings, Peter developed an unwavering faith in himself and others. This faith, coupled with life lessons, fueled his rise in the corporate world without succumbing to ruthless business practices. The conversation covers the value of mentorship, the importance of a strong work ethic, and the philosophy of being a 'Good Shepherd' in leadership. Peter also touches on the importance of creating lasting legacies and the role of family trusts in supporting future generations. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone questioning their ability to lead or overcome past wounds.00:00 Introduction to Peter Bissonnette's Journey02:33 Early Life and Family Struggles05:14 Boarding School Experiences09:25 Finding Strength and Mentors15:09 Career Beginnings and Mentorship19:55 Transition to Family Businesses31:55 The Influence of JR and Family Values34:00 Scaling the Business and Maintaining Values36:08 Leadership and Team Dynamics38:50 Navigating Family and Business Challenges47:33 Legacy and Generational Trust52:05 Writing the Memoir: Count on Me57:28 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsBuy Peter's book, "Count On Me: My Life, Lessons, and Legacy as a Former President of Shaw Communications"n

In this episode, we dive into the world of conflict mediation with Katie Kolon, who transitioned from an attorney to a mediator to help businesses, especially family-owned ones, navigate their conflicts before they escalate into costly litigation. Katie shares her journey, insights, and practical strategies for handling disputes, fostering understanding, and strengthening relationships in business settings. She emphasizes the importance of addressing conflicts early and with intention to build trust and ensure long-term success. Tune in to learn about the process of mediation, the critical role of dignity in conflict resolution, and the actionable steps that businesses can take to manage tensions and plan for smooth successions. This episode is essential for anyone involved in managing family businesses and looking to transform conflict into growth opportunities.00:00 Introduction to Conflict in Family Business00:19 Meet Katie Kolon: From Attorney to Mediator02:10 Katie's Background and Early Career05:12 Navigating Small Town Dynamics14:05 Transition to Mediation and Conflict Resolution18:35 The Mediation Process Explained21:53 Challenges in Mediation25:16 Reframing Conflict for Growth32:01 Succession Planning and Dignity35:54 Conclusion and Contact InformationFind Katie HERE: https://www.mutual-ground.com/

In this episode of Fearless Family Business, the focus is on succession planning from various perspectives: passing the business to the next generation, selling it to another entity, and everything in between. Adam emphasizes the importance of having a succession plan regardless of the business's current situation and shares key steps to ensure seamless leadership and ownership transitions. Topics covered include placing the right people in the right roles, identifying future leaders early, creating a leadership development pipeline, documenting vision and processes, and creating a timeline for transition. Additionally, the episode highlights the importance of building financial, human, structural, customer, and social capital to enhance the business's value and ensure a smooth and valuable transition.00:00 Introduction to Succession Planning00:34 The Importance of Succession Planning01:14 Steps to Create a Bulletproof Succession Plan03:33 Leadership Succession: Key Steps10:57 Identifying and Developing Future Leaders16:50 Documenting Vision and Values19:01 Defining the Transition Timeline23:11 Ownership Transition Strategies23:47 Building Inherent Value in Your Business26:44 The Five Capitals of Business Value32:21 Summary and Final Thoughts

In this episode, host Adam sits down with Ed Hart, a family business expert, host of the 'From the Heart' podcast, and co-author of 'Boomer Wisdom.' They delve deep into why emotional intelligence is a crucial yet underrated element in family businesses. The conversation covers the significant impact of seeking external help for sustained success across generations, with examples of businesses that flourished due to humility and openness to outside insights. Ed shares stories from his extensive experience working with family businesses, offering valuable advice on conflict resolution, the importance of servant leadership, and preparing for retirement. The episode is a treasure trove of insights for family business leaders navigating legacy and generational dynamics, eager to strengthen love, legacy, and lifestyle within their organizations. If you're a family business leader, this episode is a must-listen. Enjoy the deep, fearless conversation that encapsulates the essence of maintaining a thriving family business.00:00 Introduction to Emotional Intelligence in Family Business01:41 Welcoming Ed Hart: A Journey Through Family Business02:34 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Family Businesses04:26 The Importance of Emotional and Cultural Intelligence06:11 The Role of Advisors and External Help13:00 Generational Dynamics and Succession Planning24:08 Conflict Resolution and Family First Philosophy29:53 Navigating Family and Business Dynamics30:12 Examples of Successful Family Businesses31:26 The Importance of Managing Expectations32:15 The Pressure of Maintaining a Family Legacy33:41 The Reality of Selling a Family Business34:09 Transitioning Leadership in Family Businesses37:39 Preparing for Retirement and Finding New Passions43:55 Boomer Wisdom: Lessons for the Next Generation48:45 The Value of Intergenerational Learning50:12 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFind Ed HEREHart Leadership GroupFrom the Hart PodcastBoomer Wisdom

The True Cost of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill on Family BusinessIn this episode of Fearless Family Business, Adam critically examines a recent piece of legislation—referred to as Donald Trump's 'One Big, Beautiful Bill'—that entails multi-trillion dollar tax cuts, program cuts, and spending increases. Adam argues that while some may benefit financially in the short term, the bill has dire long-term implications for family businesses and society as a whole. Key points include the exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis through increased immigration enforcement, the enlargement of the federal deficit, and the widening wealth gap. Adam advocates for investment in education, healthcare, and inclusion as essential pathways for sustainable economic prosperity and value creation. The episode underscores the need for family businesses to focus on innovation and long-term legacy rather than short-term gains.00:00 Introduction: The Big Beautiful Bill00:19 Why I Oppose the Bill01:46 Overview of the Legislation03:51 Impact on Social Programs and Defense Spending06:44 Humanitarian Crisis and Immigration Enforcement10:35 Deficit and Fiscal Responsibility22:06 Wealth Gap and Value Creation26:38 Conclusion: A Call to Action for Family Businesses