HispanicTrending: Core values & common traits in the Heterogeneous Hispanic American Market

HispanicTrending: Core values & common traits in the Heterogeneous Hispanic American Market

From Blackwell Publishing Press Room A Study On The Performance Of Family Firms

Study Shows Family Firms Perform Better Than Others
Blackwell Publishing Press Room

Spouse Courtesy of Mom the Matchmaker - New York Times

The following article is a good example of:

• How we can adapt the old to the new for stronger family.
• How parents can avoid the undue influence of peer groups as well as public and private institutions.
• How children can and will often look to parents for wisdom.

In addition, the examples and case histories used in the article illustrate:

• How in adapting their family life to new technology, and new cultural norms some ethnic groups are ahead of others.
• A new appreciation of parenting.
  Spouse Courtesy of Mom the Matchmaker - New York Times

Article about aging families: The Ithaca Journal - www.theithacajournal.com - Ithaca, NY

The following article points out how aging parents are experiencing unexpected demands from their older children. The article points out a good number of issues raised by the aging family.
The Ithaca Journal - www.theithacajournal.com - Ithaca, NY

A Dynastic Model With Strong Community Values:Third Federal - American Executive Spotlight

Ben Stefanski founded a family business which is one of the best examples of The Good Sons Club principles. Special note should be made of how one strong family can make significant contributions to a wider community.
Third Federal - American Executive Spotlight

The significance of others - Los Angeles Times

The following article very much got my attention! The issues it raises are important to understanding why today family leaders need to see peer groups as potential danger to family. The article also shows the how we have an opportunity to exploit the internet as tool to stay connected as family.
The significance of others - Los Angeles Times

Extended Family Gatherings preserve traditions

Gatherings preserve traditions

More On Dynastic Role Models:

Our discussion of dynastic role models assumes; dynastic behavior can be learned. This is not an easy assumption to make. History seems to indicate; that like many talents, it is instinctive behavior. Instincts which some people have in a greater degree than others.

However, history also shows where a founding patriarch, (the one who has the instinct) seems to be able to pass dynastic techniques on to his heirs. Mayer Amschel Rothschild is a very good example. It is his example along with many others, which leads us to the assumption that dynastic thinking can be instilled. That it can be taught.

Make no mistake. This assumption does not mean everyone has the same dynastic capacity.

It may be, that dynastic instincts will be dormant until something triggers it. For example, many family founders seem to be men who lost their fathers early in life. Resulting in their having, at a young age, much family responsibility. Dynastic behavior may be triggered by having many children. Having many sons may be a particular trigger.

A shared family enterprise, may be another factor which accounts for dynastic behavior. To what degree is the right mate significant?

Some of us have a great capacity to learn music others less capacity. So too, some of us have a small capacity for dynastic thinking and others a great capacity. Just as many can derive great benefit from those who are great at music. Many may benefit from those with a great degree of dynastic abilities.

Learn From Those That Use Extended Family As Their Model:

To be informed about extended family issues I use Google Alerts. I have them alert me when they find the phrase "extended family" being used in a news item or on the web.

So often the phrase "like an extended family" comes up. Many times the phrase is used in the context of a group of unrelated people who "act like an extended family". It will bring to mind that; businesses,clubs, community groups, neighborhoods, schools, churches and even criminal gangs use the extended family as their model or as an ideal organizational structure.

Is it not ironic. As, this is a time when we increasingly live apart from our actual extended family.

From this observation, can we at least learn the following:

• To value our own extended family.
• To give some thought to the potential power of extended family resources.
• To play active roles in keeping family members united.
• To contribute socially and economical to our extended family.

"Every man has the opportunity to be a good son".

MiamiHerald.com | 07/16/2006 | Multigenerational households are making a comeback across a varied demographic range

MiamiHerald.com 07/16/2006 Multigenerational households are making a comeback across a varied demographic range

Businesses work to control, benefit from nepotism

Businesses work to control, benefit from nepotism

Using The Modern Networking Organization As A Dynastic Model

The following compares the idea of Networlding vs Networking .
Look closely and you will see similarities with the principles of the The Good Sons Club and our concept of

The Dynamic Family Table.

Mutual Aid and Support resting upon the legs of

Contribution,Growth,Unity and Longevity

As mentioned in yesterdays post, the modern networking organization represents an opportunity for the wise dynast.

• One opportunity: model the best groups. Model them for their ideas on building relationships.
• Second, the opportunity to use networking groups as a means to intelligently expand the family's influence.
• Also, using networking groups offers a way to create opportunity.
• In addition, family leaders will have an opportunity to mitigate the influence peer groups have upon individaul family members. Allowing for peer groups to have positive influences, but doing so within the context of family. Thus, preventing peer groups from replacing family.

I would also stress that a family that has disparate occupations should especially use the model. Families that share a stake in a family business or occupation of course benefit. However, it is the family with disparate occupations that needs to unite around the concept of consciously and systematically uniting around shared relationships.

Adam Bellow in his book "In Praise of Nepotism" points out how the Kennedy family formed relationships that acted like "concentric rings" around the central core of the family. This was done by consciously networking and developing relationships.

If family is important, then have an importnat family!

SuccessNet from BNI

Looking for a Dynastic model? Try looking at today's networking organizations.
How and why do we use them as models?

SuccessNet from BNI

Today's networking groups are a substitute for strong extended family. In the past business networking was done through networks made primarily from family and close friends. One dynamic aspect of today's culture is the level to which peer groups become more influencing than kinship groups.

However, you can see the development as an opportunity for wise family leaders. If you look closely, you will see these are organization which can be braided with family. They are groups where a family with diverse occupations can employ entrepreneurial techniques. Techniques that were once reserved for the families that either shared occupations or shared a stake in the family business.

What can be learned from them?

• They ask their members to contribute their relationships.
• They find ways to meet regularly as a group. To meet they use either a common place, teleconferencing or on the internet.
• The group is aimed at growing the influence of the group to the benefit of each member.
• The best networking groups are supportive of each members personal growth.
• The group has a stake in each members growth.
• The group has an expectation of longevity.

Contribution, Growth, Unity and Longevity are the legs which networking groups rest upon.

The Standard | Online Edition

Family Ties: An Anchor For Your Soul!
The Standard Online Edition

Family business - baltimoresun.com

The following article shows how Southwest Airlines and other businesses balance merit and nepotism.
Family business - baltimoresun.com

The Kennedy Dynastic Family Model

In his excellent book "In Praise Of Nepotism" author Adam Bellow credits Joseph Kennedy as being "the greatest American nepotist of the 20th century". The author is frank in saying that Joe Kennedy had some "unattractive" qualities. In addition the author admits that "Joe Kennedy's dynastic enterprise illuminates the darker side of nepotism: the fruit of an erotic drive so strong that it destroys the thing it loves."

In examining Joe Kennedy Adam Bellow concludes that "No one teaches these methods or skills"

In my opinion, Adam Bellow has taken the first step and become our teacher. His work "In Praise of Nepotism" provides us with the models to use and the author does a good job of observing the strategies that work, while pointing out the excesses to be avoided.

I have concluded that the Adam Bellow is correct about Joe Kennedy's greatness as a nepotist. Therefore: we would be wise to use him as a model.

"Wealth" by Stuart E. Lucas Nominated For A prestigious Award

Nominated for the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the year Award 2006

In addition, the August issue of Worth Magazine features an article "Overcoming Entropy" written by Stuart E. Lucas. The article is about lessons learned by the author's family after the sale of their business.

Mr. Lucas is an advocate of multigenerational wealth. I have found his work highly compatible with the principles of The Good Sons Club.

Extended Family Creating Opportunity: New Zealand's source for business, stock market & currency news on Stuff.co.nz: Sharing the property burden

While the following article talks about sharing a burden it also points out how opportunity can be shared. By pooling resources an opportunity is created.
New Zealand's source for business, stock market & currency news onStuff.co.nz: Sharing the property burden

Where do we find dynastic role models?

History provides good and bad dynastic models.
Examples include:
The Kennedy familiy model

Mayer Amshel Rothschild

The Medici Model

The Bush Model

CANOE Money: Personal Finance - Second marriages add complexity to financial planning

The following article illustrates the need for an overall extended family stratigy:
CANOE Money: Personal Finance - Second marriages add complexity to financial planning

Lexington Herald-Leader | 07/06/2006 | Adoption policies under review

Public Institutions will not consider the interests of extended family unless extended family or advocates for extended family hold public institutions to account. The following article is a good illustrattion:
Lexington Herald-Leader 07/06/2006 Adoption policies under review

iParenting: Contest All American Mom Contest

See iParentings All American Mom contest
iParenting: Contest

July Theme Dynastic Role Models

The theme for July will be dynastic role models. We will look at note worthy dynastic thinkers and examine their success and failures. Also we will be looking for your comments and would like to open up The Good Sons Club Blog to other contributors.

Adam Bellow on Nepotism, Cronyism & Harriet Miers on National Review Online

Adam Bellow on Nepotism, Cronyism & Harriet Miers on National Review Online

Family ties thrive at Ventnor beach home

Family ties thrive at Ventnor beach home

The Enquirer - Home grown

The following story is an example of how a strong extended family syatem takes advantage of opportunity and can adapt to change.
The Enquirer - Home grown