Harold: I worry about what will happen to the family after I’m gone. Sometimes I think it’d be easiest just to sell the business, divide the assets, and avoid the difficult conversations. A clean break for everyone.

Mary Ann: Dad, don’t talk like that. You know you’d hate to sell the business. And even if it avoided one set of arguments it would only throw up a whole lot of new ones. Your two sons work in the business. Two of your grandchildren are working in the business. It’s something special. All of us would like to keep it as a family business.

Harold: If we keep the business: how do I look your two brothers in the face and say: “Sons, I’ve been your boss for years, and frankly I have never thought that either of you has the ability to take over from me.” Mary Ann, how can I say that? I just can’t.

Mary Ann: It would be difficult. But to avoid that difficult conversation, are you really prepared to sell the whole company? The company that’s got our name on it?

Harold: I can’t decide.

Mary Ann: Maybe my brothers don’t even want to take over from you? Maybe they would be happy for you to hire a non-family manager to succeed you? Maybe one day your grandchildren could take over the top job? They are so passionate about the business.

Harold: Kim and Richard are good kids. It’s been really great to have them around the business. They’re a new hope for the future.

Mary Ann: They’re well-educated, they have a ton of ability, and they have fabulous plans for the future. You don’t want to take away their opportunity, do you?

Harold: I can’t decide. Not yet. But maybe… there could be a way forward.