Family Enterprise Center

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The Family Enterprise Center's (FEC) mission is to protect, preserve, and promote closely-held family-owned businesses throughout southwestern Pennsylvania by providing insights into pivotal issues that affect a family business through leading-edge educational programs and peer advisory activities.

Family businesses have unique needs, especially when it is time to provide for succession to the next generation. We provide opportunities for education and peer interaction that helps ensure continuity and success for both the family and the business.

The greatest part of North America's wealth lies with family-owned businesses. They comprise 80 to 90% of all business enterprises in North America. Consider the following:

Family-owned businesses account for:

  • 60% of total U.S. employment
  • 78% of all new jobs
  • 50% of Gross Domestic Product
  • 65% of all wages paid

The Family Enterprise Center, under the leadership of Ann M. Dugan,
who once owned her own family business, and the Family Enterprise Center
Advisory Council, provides needs-driven programming, a confidential/non-
competitive atmosphere, and ample peer-to-peer interaction. Through the
Family Enterprise Center, relationships among family members and
non-family managers alike will develop that are valuable to the continuity
and success of the family and the business.

If you own or operate a multigenerational family-owned business we invite
you contact the Family Enterprise Center. Please Click Here
for an online application or call us at (412) 648-1542.

 
Spotlight


May 8, 2008

Game Plan for Life: Attaining Victory and Balance

Athletes pursue victory by playing each game with wisdom and skill. Attaining victory in life requires a similar game plan – but our only opponents are time, circumstances, and the choices we make. Program leader Mark Everest , an experienced strategic consultant and CEO of Occupational Athletics Inc., will help you develop your game plan in this educational and motivational seminar. Learn to enhance quality of life for you and your employees and strengthen your business through better work-life balance and positive behavioral change in the workplace. After discussing these important lessons, you'll be prepared to make your life a winning game! Lunch speaker Agnus Berenato , coach of the University of Pittsburgh Women 's Basketball Team, will share her game plan for success and discuss innovative strategies for recruiting talent and building teamwork.

September 24, 2008

A Difficult Case: Lessons Learned from One Family Business

This multi-media based case study will examine the challenges and perspectives of key players in a real-life, typical family business. Meet the Penmaen family and hear their thoughts and feelings as Thom Penmaen, founder of Penmaenship Tool and Die, faces family pressure to retire. Hear the frank and open remarks of the Penmaens as they contemplate family dynamics and work to determine the future of their business, and gain insight into your own family interactions. Program leader Wayne Rivers, co-founder and president of the Family Business Institute, Inc, will provide dialogue and direction in this highly interactive program.
Click here to learn more about Wayne Rivers


November 13, 2008

Into the War Zone: Addressing Conflict and Leading Collaborative Dialogue

In any family or business, conflict is inevitable. Through conflict you can understand new perspectives, reach great compromises and create better solutions that no individual could have generated on his own. This powerful session, led by Dr. Peter and Dr. Susan Glaser , will help you master conflict resolution and collaborative dialogue. Analyze strategies that will help you hold more effective conversations and move through conflict to productive action. The Glasers will also present useful methods for solving complex problems collaboratively.

Each program runs and includes breakfast, lunch,
and great opportunities for learning and networking.

Program registration and breakfast begin at 8:00 AM.
Programs begin at 8:30 AM and conclude at 1:30 PM.

Lunch sessions feature local family business leaders who
share personal insights from their business experiences.



“Funding support and resources are provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community and Economic Development, through a cooperative agreement with the U. S. Small Business Administration; and in part through the support from the University of Pittsburgh. All services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Special arrangements for persons with disabilities can be made by calling 412.648.1542. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.”

 

Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, University of Pittsburgh, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
First Floor, Wesley W. Posvar Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 phone: 412-648-1544, fax: 412-648-1636 contact: ieeinfo@katz.pitt.edu