My process with each client is very much a journey — and like all successful journeys, it starts with the most critical step: Direction. Giving is a deeply personal decision for each family I serve. Which is why my first step is to earn your respect, and your trust. Both in my commitment to the legacy you want to establish — individually and collectively — and in my ability to help you realize it.
Building consensus. And a shared sense of mission.
I invest the time needed to understand the goals and motivations of each member involved, then set a stage for the kind of collaborative group dynamic where even the most divergent voices can find common ground.
Time and again, experience has confirmed one of my core convictions — which I believe is best expressed in plain English. Giving is fun. While I’ve served clients dealing with a host of internal and external pressures — from longstanding personality conflicts to abrupt generational transitions — I’ve yet to serve a single family who failed to emerge from my process stronger and more unified.
Creating a plan and a framework. Then executing on it.
Once I’ve helped your family reach alignment on a written, defined vision for your initiative, I’ll guide you through the process of creating an organizational structure to ensure that the vision is optimally supported and efficiently administered.
If you need an organization built from scratch, I can help you recruit and train a team. If you already have an organization in place, I’ll gladly work with your administrators in whatever supportive / consulting role best suits their needs. And it goes without saying, I am more than happy to work with your family’s trusted professional advisors — legal, accounting, financial planning. In fact, I encourage it; my role is very much complementary to their services and expertise.
Without exception, every family initiative I serve is unique. One of the benefits my background brings to my professional relationships is an expansive knowledge of the legal, financial, strategic and tactical options available to suit your own objectives.
Ongoing support and guidance.
Even some of the best-run initiatives, and most harmonious family boards, find they continue to benefit from the perspective I offer; whether it’s advice for detailed administrative technicalities or far-reaching strategic shifts — or simply to serve as an impartial sounding board for whatever’s on someone’s mind. Which is why I am available to serve your family on an ongoing basis, in as limited — or as broad — a capacity as you prefer.
If you’d like to learn more about me, I welcome the opportunity to schedule an initial call, or meeting, at your convenience.