Empowering India’s Family Businesses: A Blend of Tradition and Modern Management Wisdom
Family businesses in India are not just the backbone of the country’s economy; they represent the synthesis of tradition, legacy, and a forward-looking approach essential for sustained growth. These enterprises contribute to more than 70% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), showcasing their pivotal role in the nation’s economic framework. According to PwC’s Family Business Survey 2023, a remarkable 88% of Indian family businesses are optimistic about expansion in the next two years, a figure that notably surpasses the global average of 77%.
In light of the significant expansion opportunities for family businesses, The Family Business Excellence Series was inaugurated in Mumbai by TriChambers, a consultancy specializing in family business management. The initiative seeks to bolster the growth trajectory of these age-old establishments, ensuring they continue to thrive and contribute to India’s economic prosperity. Shivani Bagdai, the founder of TriChambers, emphasized the aim of the series to work closely with family-owned businesses to help them reach new heights of success.
The opening remarks of the series highlighted the journey of SMEs in India, with Ajay Thakur, the former head of BSE – SME & Startup, sharing insights from his rich experience of interacting with around 45,000 SME promoters. Thakur’s role in launching the SME exchange and startup portal in the country has been instrumental in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The discourse then transitioned to understanding the essence of entrepreneurship in family businesses, touching upon the distinctions between the entrepreneurial drives of the founding and subsequent generations, strategies for risk mitigation, and fostering harmony in decision-making processes that prioritize the business’s prosperity.
Ashok Shah, Chairperson of V-Trans, highlighted the immeasurable value family businesses add to national growth, notably by addressing unemployment through entrepreneurial ventures. Similarly, Sumeet Kabra, Director of R R Global, pointed out the unique blend of legacy and innovation that family businesses bring to the table, suggesting that combining the expertise of startups with the experience of family-run businesses could lead to unparalleled success.
Shah further shed light on the journey of first-generation entrepreneurs, likening their initial struggles and learnings to the narratives of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. He suggested adopting the collaboration and strategic approach depicted in these epics to navigate the business landscape effectively. In comparison, second-generation entrepreneurs often face different challenges, including adaptability to failure and maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit amidst easier access to resources.
Addressing intra-family conflicts, the leaders emphasized transparency, education, and a comprehensive understanding of business operations as key to avoiding splits and ensuring the cohesive growth of the business. Kabra shared his belief in resilience and continuous improvement, drawing an analogy with cricket, stressing the importance of consistent effort regardless of past successes or failures.
Concluding on a note of collaboration over competition, Shah highlighted the pivotal role of Artificial Intelligence, family Memorandums of Understanding, and talent inclusion in scaling new heights for family businesses. The event, which saw participation from diverse sectors such as F&B, textile, rubber, and electrical components, marks the beginning of a series intended to explore and enhance the potential of family businesses across key Indian cities including Mumbai, Jaipur, Agra, Surat, and Ludhiana.
As India’s family businesses stand on the cusp of a new era of growth, embracing the amalgamation of traditional wisdom and modern management practices promises not just the prosperity of these enterprises but the holistic growth of the nation’s economy.
