Profits come naturally to businesses that take care of their employees, their vendors, and their customers. In terms of our interdependencies, think of profits as Business Performance. It’s not uncommon for successful businesses, family or partnerships, to amass small to large fortunes as a result of business performance success and related investments that a high level of business performance made possible. 

Increased Probability of Success Rule #4: Success and money are different animals.

Go back and re-read our definition of succession success. Do you see the words money or fortune in our definition? Our success focus is on sustainable business continuity through the next generation. One of the fruits of your labor will undoubtedly be wealth, but the bigger legacy is the sustainable business continuity – the wealth engine.

The ability to keep that engine moving through multiple generations begins – and, unfortunately, sometimes ends – with how well the current generation-in-charge takes care of it. The sustainable business engine needs just as much care as any other engine. So, here’s another look at our check list: