You may disagree. But read what I have to say, and you'll probably end up agreeing with me.
Because yes, you can benefit greatly from involving the next generation in the family business from an early stage in their upbringing. And yes, many of us would like our talented children to take over the business, with all the advantages that this brings.
But everyone can learn something new from venturing out into the big wide world, where curiosity, inspiration, and ideas sprout; where we are challenged and must turn ingrained notions upside down; where the seeds of change are sown.
In fact, both the young people of the next generation and the family business may miss out on valuable experience and input if the young people do not go away to study and work far from their family and the business where they have a role as potential successors.
Because once the next generation has been on their eye-opening journey, they will hopefully choose to bring their new knowledge and perspectives back to the company.
Family businesses that survive for many generations reinvent and revitalize themselves while holding on to core values and traditions.
This requires management to be open to the outside world and to adopt a perspective that is based on both a deep understanding of the company's values and a professional and unbiased view of how it is run.
It can be more difficult if management has never known anything other than the family business from the inside.
