familySuccess

Next Gen Rising

Published in January 2025
By
the success team
Guides Trusted Family

Intro

Preparing the next generation for leadership in a family business is no small task. Families must address skill gaps and often coordinate training across multiple busy schedules. Trainings must not only address business needs but also preserve the values and legacy of the family. Add to this the unique dynamics of family businesses - the mix of emotions and complicated relationship dynamics - and the path to developing future leaders becomes even more complex.

A digital hub like TF 2.0 centralizes resources, streamlines communication, and ensures consistency for each Next Gen member, making it easier to execute your program and prepare Next Gen leaders for their future roles in the family business. Dive into the Bennett family case study and discover how your family can embrace this transformative tool to build a stronger, more prepared next generation, all while staying true to your values and vision.

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Case Study: Digital Transformation for Next Gen Education

Background

The Bennett* family operates Bennett Craft Furniture, a multi-generational business specializing in custom furniture. With steady growth over 40 years, the family developed a formal training and education program to prepare the third generation (Next Gen) for leadership - whether they choose to be active within the business or just engage as a shareholder. Their program includes some hands-on experience with the actual business product to provide first-hand experience and understanding, but the primary objective is to give Next Gen the tools and skills to be responsible shareholders and properly understand and engage with business updates. 

However, as the family grows and members move to different locations, the Bennetts are finding it challenging to execute their training program consistently. They have decided to integrate a digital hub platform to coordinate their efforts and ensure access and consistency for all Next Gen members.

The Concerns

  1. Geographical Dispersion: Next Gen members are spread across multiple locations, making regular in-person sessions impractical.
  2. Coordination Difficulties: Aligning schedules and tracking progress across various activities has proven cumbersome.
  3. Information Mess: Training materials and resources are scattered across different formats and locations.
  4. Inconsistent Engagement: Some family members feel disconnected due to infrequent communication or unclear expectations.

The Solution: Moving to Trusted Family 2.0

After evaluating several platforms, the Harrisons chose Trusted Family 2.0, a secure digital hub and operating system designed specifically for family businesses. The platform offered a suite of features tailored to their needs, enabling them to address all their concerns in one integrated solution.

The Bennett Family's Digital Transformation Plan

The Bennett Family reviewed options for digital platforms to house their Next Gen program and ultimately decided to set up a Trusted Family 2.0 (TF 2.0) family platform because of its focus on the family business user. Their platform will serve as the one-stop hub for resources, curriculum, and interaction.

Housing an Education Program in TF 2.0

  1. Content Library of Material: A unique Next Gen Education space provides a structure to save all training materials, videos, guides and presentations for easy access to the appropriate family members.
  2. Structured Lessons: Detailing the syllabus of curriculum with links to the needed resources make asynchronous modules simple to navigate.
  3. Knowledge Test: Integrated surveys can be used to test knowledge of Next Gen participants to gauge their learning achievements.
  4. Scheduling Tool: While most can be done in a virtual environment, the Bennett family still has a few components that require in-person sessions. The integrated scheduling tool makes coordinating a time for multiple people a breeze.
  5. To Dos and Notifications: The Bennetts are able to keep Next Gen members on track by assigning ToDos and monitoring their completion, sending reminders out as needed.
  6. Chat: One thing the Bennetts wanted to try to maintain was a sense of community among Next Gen members going through the curriculum. The Chat feature facilitates communication between participants, giving them a way to connect as a cohort within the education portal.
  7. Knowledge Sharing on Newsfeed: With the simplicity of posting notes and other content, Next Gens can seamlessly share their latest discoveries (articles, videos, etc.), thereby contributing to the continuous enrichment of the program.
  8. Archive: The robust document storage system within TF 2.0 allows for maintenance of an archive of previous content and projects submitted by Next Gen participants. This allows the program to be ever-evolving while never losing past records.

Benefits the Bennetts Achieved Through TF 2.0:

Integrating their education program into TF 2.0 was a successful move for the Bennett Family. With a centralized hub, resources become accessible anytime, anywhere, ensuring consistency across the entire program, no matter where family members are located. The platform fosters greater engagement through interactive tools and streamlined communication, helping Next Gen members stay motivated and connected. Automated scheduling and progress tracking simplify administration, allowing families to focus on mentorship and learning rather than logistics. Transparency is enhanced, with clear visibility into individual and group progress, ensuring accountability and alignment.

The seamless blend of in-person and virtual learning creates a comprehensive and adaptable program that evolves with the family’s needs. As a result, Next Gen leaders emerge with the skills, confidence, and cohesion necessary to preserve the family legacy while navigating modern business challenges. TF 2.0 isn’t just a tool—it’s the foundation for a thriving, sustainable future for your family business.

*The names and details in this case study are entirely fictional and used for illustrative purposes only. Any resemblance to actual families, businesses, or individuals is purely coincidental and unintentional.

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