9 Things Husbands and Wives Should Never Do in the Family Business
Chris and his wife, Joanne, are fighting. At work. Again.
He complains about the unpaid invoices.
She reminds him that they’d be done… if she hadn’t spent all night doing laundry at home.
Half of the wait staff is standing around in the back of the couple’s restaurant.
Waiting for the pre-dinner meeting and whispering about whose side of the couple’s argument they’re on.
The couple’s two young daughters are also waiting–and restless.
The newly-hired hostess runs between them and the restaurant entrance, plying the girls with kiddie menus and crayons.
Home and business boundaries are blurred. Employee morale is low.
The business is shaky. So are things between husband and wife.
Unfortunately, many entrepreneurial couples find keeping it all together is a lot harder than they ever dreamed.
Guidelines make all the difference.
Consider the following 9 things spouses should never do in the family business:
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Never have business meetings at home.
Your home and the family business are better left in their separate spheres.
Schedule business meetings and organizational sessions at work.
Not at the kitchen table, not even in the car. Establishing strong habits draws clear boundaries and protects the emotional sanctuary and comfort of your home.
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Never confuse family relationships and business agreements.
When hiring a cousin or an aunt, it’s vital that couples keep lines of authority clear. Take a close look at your own assumptions and those of your family member. Its easy to default to your family roles. Hold to business agreements or make clear cut decisions to change them.
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Never allow the fight at home to fuel inefficiency at work.
Your marital disputes should remain far from the doors of your family business. Administrative work, customer service, and employee interactions are crucial to your success. Distractions caused by personal problems can cost you money and business relationships not easily replaced long after you’ve kissed and made up. And the silent treatment is just as disruptive to business tasks as open conflict.
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Never involve employees in your domestic disputes.
It makes you seem unstable or unpredictable. At the very least, lacking good judgment. Demonstrate that you are capable of running an organized establishment. Assure employees that business is conducted professionally and their jobs are secure.
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Never make nannies of the employees.
Even if your employees agree to work with or around your children, you’re likely damaging your working relationships. You want your employees to feel loyal and invested in the success of your business. Not like lackeys handling your personal responsibilities, or like relatives who may feel free to meddle.
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Never attempt to do business together without clear, written policies.
Your hard work deserves respect and intentional consideration. Draw up a mutually satisfying division of labor and business policies. Agree to abide by the rules you set for interaction at the family business, and respect the boundaries in a way that sets a strong example for the entire staff.
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Never sacrifice your family responsibilities and business mission.
Examine what is and isn’t working, so that you and your partner can figure out how to live up to the standards of both home and work. If necessary, consult a counselor who understands the emotional and financial dynamics involved in devising balanced lives and relationships.
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Never underestimate the need to take a break.
Plan vacation time. Take at least one day a week off. Spend time away from your home and business. Refresh and recharge.
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Never dismiss the importance of communication at home and at work.
Couples who elect to take on shared home and work lives do well if they communicate well. Establish respectful boundaries and professional interaction at work. Accept and embrace your differences. Both arenas will require solution-based thinking and compromise.
If you need help don’t be afraid to seek it. Contact me to learn how therapy for couples who work together can help you keep the peace at home and your business profitable.
