In the US, there are more than 5.5 million family-owned businesses. Yet, only a fraction of these businesses survive over the long-term. According to Charlie, the main reason why family businesses fail is the inability to adapt and evolve in terms of technology, business model, law, etc. Another huge indicator of failure is the generation gap and the company’s ability to overcome it. Charlie can share real-life experiences and lessons learned from being a top executive running a 9-figure family business that has been successful for 4 generations.

Public companies always have to act with shareholders’ interests in mind – which can lead to shorter term thinking from a quarter by quarter timeframe. On the other hand, executives from family-owned businesses, are concerned about building a legacy and a lasting business for the next generation – this makes them more invested and committed to the company’s success. So how can public companies adopt this legacy building approach whilst still keeping their shareholders happy? Charlie can share the exact strategies that executives from large public companies can apply in 2021 and beyond.

Almost every company says they put people over profits. But do they? Charlie’s faced this challenge first hand with the COVID pandemic. With 120+ stores and more than 1600 employees, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits needed to act fast. They took a real “people first” approach as they invested heavily in sanitation equipment, reducing store hours and much more, 2 months before everyone else did. Compared to bigger organizations, they could act much faster which has led to very few cases, a massive employee loyalty boost and even increased revenue. Charlie can share the lessons he’s learned as well as the mindset that he follows to ALWAYS think about people first – no matter what.

There is one huge advantage a family business has over corporations – the patience of the leadership team. Charlie joined ABC Fine Wine & Spirits more than 10 years ago and started in the one of lowest positions. Why? Because the older generation knew that over time, he’ll understand what he enjoys the most and “grow” into the best version of himself. Charlie now enjoys working with people, his cousin oversees Product and his brother-in-law is the CMO. But how do non-family owned businesses apply a similar approach to their organisation? It’s a lot easier than it sounds and Charlie can walk your audience through how to achieve this.