Women…The Backbone of a Family Business January 17th, 2011

YFLO organized a talk and a panel discussion on ‘Women – the Backbone of a Family Business’ on January 17, 2011.

The esteemed panel comprised Mr. Peter Leach, one of the world’s leading Family Business consultants and facilitators from the U.K., Mr. Tatwamasi. Dixit, a family business advisor, working with many prominent Indian business families, Dr. Jyotsna Suri, the head of the very successful, Lalit Group of Hotels and the matriarch of a large family and Mrs. Shivani Modi, who has achieved much personal success in her own endeavors, and who also hails from a business family herself and is married into one of Delhi’s most prominent Marwari business families.

Mr. Leach presented a comparative analysis of the western model of family businesses and the Indian model. He also highlighted the pitfalls, tensions and competing demands that can destroy family businesses and also talked about practical solutions to resolve such issues.

As a part of any family businesses, a woman has to face innumerable challenges and juggle successfully between household responsibilities and professional commitments. To overcome these, Mr. T Dixit emphasized on the 5 golden rules that a woman in any family business should always remember- Play the role of Chief Emotional Officer ( CEO) of the family, Avoid triangulation among family members, act as the value custodian of the family, establish her own identity and self balance and also constant skill development.

Dr. Jyotsna Suri and Mrs. Shivani Modi talked about their individual journeys in their respective fields. Dr Suri talked about her achievements and challenges as the head of the very successful, Lalit Group of Hotels and the mother of a family of 4 children who have all brought into the fold of their family business . Mrs. Shivani Modi, who followed her own individual path and joined the Delhi Crafts Council in 1998, said that it is important for every woman to realize her potential and at the same time, have the conviction to follow her choices. But in the process, it is important to convince your family to support your decision.

It was followed by a panel discussion and an interactive session which was moderated by Mr Peter Leach. The members asked many pertinent and sometimes personal questions and the panelists answered them candidly.