Inheritance Is Not Enough: Building a Family Business That Outlives the Family

These figures underscore the challenges families face in professionalizing their structures and preparing successors. A lack of clear guidelines regarding leadership, decision-making, and asset control often results in internal conflicts that undermine operations.

The same Ipade study highlights that 48% of family businesses are at risk of failure due to poor practices, which can even lead to family disintegration.

Regarding family harmony, 34% of respondents reported no changes, while 25% indicated a deterioration in family unity. Additionally, 97% of business leadership roles are held by family members, with women occupying 23% of these positions and 26% of general management roles.

Not all indicators are negative, however. The same study offers encouraging insights: 72% of family businesses reported sales growth, even during the pandemic. Furthermore, 66% increased their wealth over the past three years, and 40% perceive improvements in family unity.

Experts concur that the most crucial tool for ensuring the longevity of a family business is the implementation of corporate governance. This mechanism helps establish clear rules, succession processes, professionalization in management, and a balance among family, assets, and business interests.

The challenge lies in shifting from a vision solely focused on inheriting control to building a sustainable, innovative legacy capable of transcending generations. The history of family businesses in Mexico demonstrates that merely passing on the business is insufficient: strategic vision, shared leadership, and robust structures are essential for enduring over time.