Home >> Thinkers >> Dennis Jaffe

Dennis Jaffe – Family Business: Generations of Success
About Dennis Jaffe
Dennis Jaffe – Program in Adelaide

Dennis Jaffe – Family Business: Generations of Success

The family business sector is a vital part of South Australia’s economy. Around 80 per cent of Australian businesses are family businesses, and this sector faces a range of unique challenges. Statistics suggest that only 32 per cent of such businesses survive to a second generation.

Dr Dennis Jaffe brought outstanding expertise and a valuable ‘outside perspective’ to the challenges facing family businesses in our State.

Dennis Jaffe lived and worked in South Australia as an Adelaide Thinker in Residence from Monday 25th June 2007 to Friday 31st August 2007.

top

About Dennis Jaffe

Dr Dennis Jaffe is a world-recognised leader in the field of family business. Dennis has helped families all over the world manage the personal and organisational issues that lead to successful and fulfilling transfer of businesses, wealth, values, commitments and legacies between generations. He believes that these are largely human, not financial or legal, challenges. They are best addressed by creating clear agreements, effective structures and clear communication within a family, and with its employees and other stakeholders. He strives to work with a family to find their own individual solution to their unique challenges.

For further information on Dennis Jaffe, click here

top

Dennis Jaffe – Program in Adelaide

Dr Jaffe worked with business, government, education and the community, focusing on the following objectives:

Increased the recognition, understanding and engagement of government, non-government, business, education and community stakeholders, about the economic and cultural importance of family business

Identified South Australia’s current and potential strengths in family business and strategies and processes for effective business transfer, succession planning and the preparation of the next generation for leadership

Provided advice on family business in South Australia which:
- considers work-life balance
- informs and defines directions for education, research and training
- sustains family businesses in the state’s vulnerable regions
- strengthens data collection systems
- takes account of international leading practice

Provided guidance on future planning and research directions for the State in the context of South Australia’s Strategic Plan 2007

Promoted South Australia as an hospitable location for family business

Office for Youth A-Team - young people thinking about family business. Click here the OfY A-Team's final report on successful succession in family business.

Partners in Dennis’ residency were:

Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Department of Trade and Economic Development
University of Adelaide
Family Business Australia
Prescott Securities
Department of Education and Children’s Services
University of South Australia
Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology

Sponsors:

Haigh’s Chocolates
Adelaide Airport
Edwards Marshall

Mr Raymond Michell AM

top

To receive updates on Adelaide Thinkers in Residence news and events, Click here.

Printer-friendly page