Week 4 Debate

How would you describe the culture of your family’s business?

1. In regards to the language, we have preferred and we are working towards a bilingual structure. Nonetheless, we breed into our African language and hire individuals from different ethnicities to create a diverse environment. Further, my father has always wanted us to be aware and learn about new cultures in order to nurture our mind and make us more open-minded.

In what ways are your family’s purpose and values reflected in this business culture?

1. Leadership

2. Good governance

3. Integrity

4. Love

5. Unity

6. Respect

7. Meritocracy

   1. These are reflected by the kind of contracts we sign with the different clients. The love, unity, meritocracy and respect are seen in our desire to welcome every individual who is seen as possessing the adequate capacities regardless of his/her ethnic group. While many practice tribalism, we prime ourselves into combatting such practices.

How does this stage of your family business’ lifecycle contribute, affect or erode the business and ownership dimensions of your business?

1. The company was founded while we were still undergraduate students. As children, our sole contribution was signing a contract in which we agreed to our weight within the company. We did not contribute financially nor did we really know what the business was about during the time of its creation. I think that we were more focused on our own development as college allowed us to know more about who we are. Indirectly, I believe that it was a foundation that gave total power to my father in the decision-making. It never really bothered us when we were in college. However, as time passes, we felt the need to be more involved in the decision and brainstorm process. This sort of created a clash between us and our father. He still perceives us "kids" and it is really hard for him to let someone else be in control. I believe this is the biggest problem and challenge faced within this stage.

What transition do you envisage for your family business’s lifecycle stage in the coming 10 years?

1. I think that in the next 10 years, our family business will be in the sibling partnership stage. I think that my father wants this firm to be solely managed by his children and passed down to their children. Thus, I think that our family business is a long way from being in the cousin stage.

How do you anticipate your family business and its owners and agents (including yourselves), reacting to these changes?

1. I think that the sibling partnership stage will be harder to reach/accept for my father because he is used to being in control and the main provider. As far as my siblings, I think may be an opportunity for us to implement more changes freely without it being underestimated because we are kids.

I think that the below picture accurately reflects one of our top values which is meritocracy. In order to reach the top level, one must make efforts. He/she will win out of merit.