Institute for Family Enterprise

 

The Institute for Family Enterprise (IFE) was established at Bryant University in 1990. It is dedicated to helping family-owned firms manage the unique challenges associated with operating a successful family enterprise.

Since its establishment, IFE has assisted families in business to plan, strategize, and manage their key decisions. In doing so, the Institute has formed enduring relationships with scores of families, and takes pride in knowing it has played a major role in the preservation of the rich legacy of family entrepreneurship in southeastern New England.

IFE's work embraces the common managerial and generational issues most often encountered in the day-to-day life of a family business. It provides support and assistance in matters related to succession planning, open communication, maintaining harmonious relationships and developing next-generation leaders. Over the years, IFE has provided mediation services and public seminars aimed at providing solutions to today's family business issues.

Issues most often addressed involve:

  • Succession
  • Conflict resolution (including mediation and meeting facilitation services)
  • Family relationships
  • Planning
  • Matters related to the governance of a family business

IFE's founder and executive director, William T. O'Hara, is a former president of Bryant University. He has taught Family Business Management at the University and has consulted with over 100 families during his 15 years as an advisor in the field. His recent book, Centuries of Success, addresses succession in families around the world who have survived for at least 200 years. It was selected as one of the ten business books on J.P. Morgan's Private Bank "Must Read" fifth annual summer reading list in 2004. Dr. O'Hara holds Fellow status at The Family Firm Institute, Inc., Boston, MA.

 

For more information, please contact:

Bryant University
Institute for Family Enterprise
1150 Douglas Pike
Smithfield, RI 02917-1284
Phone: 401-232-6477   Fax: 401-232-6416   Email: ife@bryant.edu.



Last updated: September 2005