Organisation Profile
Issue No. 44 - December/January 2008
Family business firmly on the radar
Family business is firmly ‘on the radar’ in South Australia, with many businesses joining forces through peak body, Family Business Australia’s SA branch to share knowledge and references.
FBASA has seen membership growth of 34%, with growth in the Next Generation and rural segments, record crowds for Conference and Hall of Fame events and sold-out monthly seminars.
EO Heather Dowling says greater family business awareness is due to “growing realization by families in business that they are not alone” and willingness to seek out their fellows.
“Advisers are also realizing they need to expand their knowledge to properly advise their family business clients and get to know experts in other disciplines who they can call on to assist in areas outside their own particular area of expertise,” Heather says.
“Our new members are mostly quite active, attending a number of events on a range of topics and enjoy getting to know other family business people who are
very generous with their knowledge and experience.
“Members also use our member library and many have sought referrals to expert family business advisers for assistance with complex issues they are grappling with.”
Heather says family business issues remain “consistent across time” but the impending retirement of many in the current owner-management generation has brought transition-succession issues into sharp focus.
This is reflected in FBASA’s 2009 events program.
“We also have a strong focus on next generation members of families in business and ensure our events
incorporate their perspective,” she says.
“Our Next Generation Roundtables provide a great opportunity for the younger generation family members to discuss a range of issues unique to their situation.”
Pat and Brian Goudie of Event Power & Light at Hindmarsh are new members who became aware of FBASA after succession issues hit the media. Their ex...
