3 ms·

Your last point is very much true. If the family no longer controls their company, or even, just their founding members, it sets off a huge red flag for me. Som

Your last point is very much true. If the family no longer controls their company, or even, just their founding members, it sets off a huge red flag for me. Sometimes, it's for the better. But, if I had trust in that company, it most likely stemmed from their work. There are some nice examples of founding members going above and beyond to maintain their control, which may not look like it from the get go. Ubisoft comes to mind. I may not like some of their games, but I really appreciate the efforts of the Guillemot brothers.

makeitdouble 3y ago
On the other hand, founders stepping down as the company gets bigger or is faced with completely different challenges is usually for the better. I can't imagine Daimler-Benz as it is now being led by the 3rd grandson of the original founder for instance. It would be a miracle if that person was well suited for directing a multi-national car manufacturer. Same way Microsoft wouldn't be the same if Bill Gates' son was at the helm.
- nickserv 3y ago
  If he's been groomed his whole life for running a multi national car company, there's reason to believe he would be better suited than just about anyone.
  - hkt 3y ago
    You'd think, but as the old saying goes: clogs to clogs in three generations. (Meaning: the first generation starts off poor, is self made, hands over to the second generation which is less dynamic, which hands over to the third who wreck it and end up poor clog wearers again)
  - makeitdouble 3y ago
    Thing is, education is hard and individual potential also varies a lot. We see this with royalty, where you have literally a country's resources to groom someone into being a high level individual who can deal with most social situations, but having them lead and expand a whole country in another issue altogether. You'll have some Louis XIV sometimes, and many Louis XVI the rest of the time, with sprinkles of Charles II in the mix to spice it up.

makeitdouble 3y ago

On the other hand, founders stepping down as the company gets bigger or is faced with completely different challenges is usually for the better. I can't imagine Daimler-Benz as it is now being led by the 3rd grandson of the original founder for instance. It would be a miracle if that person was well suited for directing a multi-national car manufacturer. Same way Microsoft wouldn't be the same if Bill Gates' son was at the helm.

nickserv 3y ago
If he's been groomed his whole life for running a multi national car company, there's reason to believe he would be better suited than just about anyone.
- hkt 3y ago
  You'd think, but as the old saying goes: clogs to clogs in three generations. (Meaning: the first generation starts off poor, is self made, hands over to the second generation which is less dynamic, which hands over to the third who wreck it and end up poor clog wearers again)
- makeitdouble 3y ago
  Thing is, education is hard and individual potential also varies a lot. We see this with royalty, where you have literally a country's resources to groom someone into being a high level individual who can deal with most social situations, but having them lead and expand a whole country in another issue altogether. You'll have some Louis XIV sometimes, and many Louis XVI the rest of the time, with sprinkles of Charles II in the mix to spice it up.