THE SELF: WHERE PROFESSIONALISATION BEGINS

A family business in Kerala had been thriving for two generations.

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Founded by the patriarch and later handed over to his son, it employed several family members and dozens of loyal employees. For years, decisions rested with the head of the family, and the system worked. But as the organisation grew, cracks began to appear. Family disagreements over business decisions escalated, and senior managers from outside the family left within months, frustrated by the nepotism and informal structures within the organisation. What had once been a thriving business was trapped in inefficiency, high attrition, lost clients, and reputational damage. The market was booming, but this company was slowly slipping into decline.

This scenario isn't unusual. One of the biggest challenges family businesses face globally, and especially in India, is professionalisation. At GatewaysGlobal, we have studied this problem for years. Through our work with family businesses across Asia, we have identified four critical layers where professionalisation must take place - Self, Family, Business, and Society. Together, these form the foundation of what we call the Four-Layer Model of Professionalising Family Business.

What is Professionalisation?

From a practical standpoint, professionalisation means introducing systems and processes that ensure sustainable results. Professionalisation should ideally begin before these confusions set in. It's far more effective and beneficial to start when operations are running smoothly than to wait until conflicts and inefficiencies emerge.

Where Does Professionalisation Begin?