TRANSFER TO PRACTICE


TRANSFERRING EXPERIENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF FAMILY BUSINESSES


We owe our long-term success to the consistent strategy of alternating theory–practice transfers. That is why we integrate members of family businesses and business families in the development of research questions, the production of practice-related publications and the creation of our event formats. We aim to provide practical, effective theory concepts and to develop theories based on practice-related questions.

FAMILY BUSINESSES AND BUSINESS FAMILIES LEARN BEST AMONG LIKE-MINDED PEERS

The WIFU Foundation provides a platform for business families and family businesses to share their experiences, achievements and challenges as equals. With a large and diverse network, we can offer new perspectives on existing questions from multifaceted, reflective viewpoints. We perceive ourselves as a network creator that is available at any time to provide knowledge, moderation or methodological advice. Through proactive and bold actions, we want to stimulate the motivation needed within business families and family businesses to lead individual challenges and achieve success.

THE WIFU FOUNDATION OFFERS TRANSFERABLE EXPERIENCE IN THE FOLLOWING FIELDS


 

RESEARCH

RESEARCH

We proactively include members of business families and family businesses in our research.
Find out more about how you can become part of our research.

EVENTS

EVENTS

Our event formats are characterised by a combination of expert lectures from the scientific perspective, practical reports from family business entrepreneurs and the exchange of views among like-minded people.
Find all event formats here.

PUBLICATIONS

PUBLICATIONS

Our publications offer a practical summary of the WIFU’s research findings adapted to the expectations and needs of family business entrepreneurs.
Find our online library here.

PRACTICE TRANSFER FOR ALL GENERATIONS OF BUSINESS FAMILIES


RESPONSIBLE MANAGERS (MIDGEN)

Members of the MidGen take on responsibility for family business from different perspectives. They actively shape the family and the firm. As decision-makers, they set the course for the success of the next generation and facilitate a well-trained group of shareholders within the business family.
The WIFU Foundation aims to accompany this group as a moderator, critical friend and coach by providing a safe platform for exchange among the like-minded and teaching the fundamentals and theoretical models of a long-lived and successful family business.

Find further information about the WIFU@MidGen Conference (exclusively for managing members of family businesses) here

ADVISORS (SENIORGEN)

Often still in positions as heads of companies and families, the representatives of this group are in the process of arranging succession and are gradually withdrawing from responsibility or taking on new roles. We assist this transition process, one of the greatest challenges in family businesses and business families, with our knowledge. Our theoretical concepts and models, as well as experience reports on successful succession processes, help representatives of the senior generation to reflect on their own situations and to change their roles from decision-makers to advisors.

Find further information about the WIFU Working Group “Learning to let go” (exclusively for advisors in business families) here

SUCCESSORS (NEXTGEN)

Successors are the future face of the family business and will take over responsibility.

We want to link successors, offer them a platform for sharing experiences with like-minded people and demonstrate the fundamentals and theoretical models of long-term and successful family businesses. We aim to convey the joy of entrepreneurship alongside responsibility for the business.

Find our event formats exclusively for successors here.

CONTACT


You are welcome to request further information on various topics and questions via our contact form.

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