The health of every family business is like a tide in the ocean. It rises, it falls, and repeats itself over and over again. When our family and business is in a rut, how do we get ourselves out? What tools can we lean on to guide us through these challenges? Can we do it all on our own? These are questions that family business leaders often contemplate – and rightfully so! Every leader wants to solve problems efficiently and in a timely manner.
Each family faces challenges that are unique to their history, culture, and dynamics. That is why BCR uses FEAT (Family Enterprise Assessment Tool) and Family 360 as frameworks to help families navigate through these complex tidal changes. Both are designed to surface insights and guide you through the inevitable challenges each each tool serves a distinct purpose.
As trained facilitators of FEAT & Family 360, we help families assess their situation, uncover the root of their challenges, and guide them toward healthier relationships and stronger enterprises.
FEAT (Family Enterprise Assessment Tool)
- What is it? FEAT assesses the current state of both your family enterprise and your family business. It serves as a foundation for legacy planning by anonymously gathering family stakeholder perceptions in a safe environment, allowing for every voice to be heard.
- Who is it for? Families who have shared experiences and legacy planning needs, or complex shared assets. FEAT is often used alongside facilitators who work with the family business.
- How long does it take? The ‘standard’ FEAT includes 50 statements covering family & enterprise, producing a comprehensive report that BCR will share with the family members.
- Use Case Example: A family is facing questions of succession, governance, or complex shared-assets. They need to have a structured conversation about family & enterprise together. They choose FEAT because it provides data that supports their planning and family enterprise decision-making.
Family 360
- What is it? Family 360 is a learning tool that allows individuals or a family to look at their relationships while exploring areas that are strongest and others where they can develop their connections.
- Who is it for? It is for families or individuals who want to focus on their personal or familial relationships – not their business.
- How long does it take? Family 360 is a 30 statement assessment pertaining to general family dynamics, such as: overall family health, connection, trust, growth opportunities, etc. Similar to FEAT, you will receive a report that BCR will analyze and go over with you.
- Use Case Example: You need to boost your relational health, communication, and growth in family connection or emotional wellbeing – less so on business structure or shared assets. For example, my family and I want to better understand our strengths and challenges relationally.
What is the Desired Outcome of FEAT / Family 360?
FEAT and Family 360 are not standalone solutions, rather they are an entry point into deeper family conversations and long-term growth. At BCR, we use them in the early stages of working with families to provide a clear, research-backed diagnostic of the family and/or enterprise.
Both tools are much more than your typical assessment – they:
- Are research based and educate families about development stages and best practices
- Gather input anonymously and can be used at any point in the future
- Create opportunities for common language
- Provide foundational insights for structured family conversations and improved outcomes
Moving Forward
The tides of family business will always rise and fall, and you don’t have to navigate them alone. Tools like FEAT and Family 360 provide clarity and structure that help families move from being “stuck” to moving forward with confidence.
If your family is ready to strengthen relationships, align around your enterprise, and prepare for the future, let’s start the conversation!