CII – FBN 3rd Next Generation (NXG) International Convention 2015
focusing on Next Generation Leaders: Forging the Path to Excellence in HR Practices in Family Business 18 - 19 December 2015.
Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Trustee, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation participated at the CII FBN India Chapter 3rd Next Generation International Convention held at Marriott Resort and Spa at Goa. The delegation from MMCF comprised of Dr. Mayank Gupta, Deputy Secretary - Development, and Mr Raju Mansukhani, media consultant.
Lead Faculty
Ms. Amy M. Schuman, a principal Consultant of the Family Business Consulting Group, Inc. works with family business on leadership development, communication skills and team building. Amy was the founding facilitator of the Next Generation Leadership Institute, an intensive, two year program for next generation family business leaders that is part of the Loyola University Chicago Family Business Centre. Amy is the co-author with John L. Ward and Stacy Stutz of 'Family Business as Paradox'. She is the Co-author, with John L. Ward, of 'Family Education for Business Owning Families' and Co-author of 'A Woman’s Place…The Crucial Roles of Women in Family Business'. At the Goa convention, Amy explained how paradoxes were different from problems that could be solved or contradictions which can be resolved. Her focus was on developing the communication skills and faculties needed to resolve conflicts within the family business context. Group exercises drilled home these key messages.
Focus of the Convention
The convention saw the participation of young family business leaders in the 18-40 years age-group. It provided a powerful platform to Next Generation Family Business leaders from across the country to discuss some of the most pressing issues concerning their role in Family Business and Commitment. Attention was focused on diverse themes of interest with sessions focusing on Human Resources in Family Business: Learning Best Practices, then Choosing When and How to Apply Them.
Day 1, 18.12.2015
The day began with registration at Conference Board Room of Marriott Resort and Spa, Goa professionally organized by Ms. Pooja Jha, Deputy Director, CII FBN India Chapter, Confederation of Indian Industry, New Delhi. The 1st session was ‘Exemplary HR practices in Family Business and Family Business as Paradox’ and Opening Remarks were given by Mr. Ravi Shroff, Chairman, CII FBN India Chapter Next Gen committee and Vice President, Excel Industries, Mumbai. Mr. Arjun Chowgule, Member, Next Gen International Committee, FBN International, Immediate Past Chairman, CII FBN India Chapter Next Gen committee & Executive Director, Chowgule & Co Pvt Ltd, Goa gave an introduction to the two days programme and about the Faculty. He spoke about the FBN code of conduct and its internship programme. Ms. Amy Schuman started the session with introduction to Programme Outline and introduction of Participants with a concept of speed dating method. She referred to Prof. John Ward publication ‘Why Me Series’ which provides interesting insights into family business dynamics. Panel Discussions started with Mr. Arjun Chowgule, Mr. Ravi Shroff, Mr. Sandeep Chaudhary, Chief Executive Officer Consulting, Aon Hewitt India and Mr. Mridul Dhanuka, Co-Chairman, Next Gen Committee & Director Productions, Dhanuka Agritech Ltd, New Delhi and Ms. Amy Schuman as Moderator. The topic was 'Special Opportunities and Challenges of People Management in Family Enterprise: Stories from the Real World'. Another session was on Human Resources in the Family Business: Maximizing the Power of Your People by Ms. Schuman with an introduction to theme in plenary; Reflecting on your company’s HR roles and practices; Setting personal goals for the conference. Mr. Adrish Ghosh, Head of Wealth Advisory, India - Barclays Wealth and Investment Management, India and Mr. Raja Sanyal, Head of Marketing, Barclays Wealth and Investment Management, India presented their case on ‘Creating Value in Family Business’. Amy continued with her session on Exemplary Human Resources Practices in Family Firms: One Size Does Not Fit All and introduction to Family Business as Paradox and Application to HR followed by Mr. Anurag Aman, Director & Practice Leader, Family Led Business, Aon Hewitt India on Leapfrogging HR Sharing of lessons and research. The last session of the day concluded with Workshop: Application of paradox concepts in small groups by the Faculty.
Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar had a luncheon meeting with Mr. Ravi Shroff, Chairman, CII-FBN India Chapter and he discussed about enhanced participation of FBN India Chapter at FBN International Conventions. The CII FBN India Chapter invited him for more participation in the executive councils besides other workshops and conventions.
Day 2, 19.12.2015
The 2nd day was themed around ‘Creating Vibrant Corporate Culture and Communications, Summary and Application’. The morning session started with opening remarks and Summary of Proceedings, gathering input from group by Ms. Amy Schuman. This was followed by an activity on Culture and Communications. Amy explained about Nurturing Exemplary Corporate Culture and Communications with several notes including ‘How does culture differ in family firms?’, ‘How can HR help leverage culture as a competitive advantage?’and ‘What role can the next generation leaders play?’ Examples of exemplary family business cultures – how do they get there? ; Family First and Business First cultures (through the Prof John Ward assessment tool) – what are strengths and weaknesses of each approach? Which are you? ; Workshop: Identify your corporate culture, its strengths and vulnerabilities.
An International Case study “Where is the Love or the lack of it? Dealing with Dysfunctional Family Dynamics” was presented by Mr. Daniel Aponte Prypchan, Chief Financial Officer, Producer and Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) followed by Indian Case Study by Ms. Radhika Gopal Krishan, Partner Leadership, Aon Hewitt Consulting moderated by Mr. Mridul Dhanuka.
Closing remarks were given by Ms. Amy Schuman. In the concluding session, she used the House of Mewar case study and Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar’s quote on 'tradition and change' to drive home the point. With Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar’s presence, she utilized the opportunity to get him to explain the paradox across generations, and the responsibilities he has to shoulder. The Q&A that followed was also very intense; He explained the historical context and the challenges of 'being in the Now'.
A gala dinner at the North Lawns of the Hotel brought to an end the two-day Convention, with thumping music, dance and delicious cuisine under the night skies of Goa Marriott.
Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) and the CII-FBN India Chapter has developed a knowledge-sharing relationship over the years. The FBN focus on sharing best-practices of families resonates with the evolving needs of MMCF as a not-for-profit organisation working on developmental issues. MMCF today is one of the most respected not-for-profits organisation of Rajasthan.
Professionalism at all levels, modern management and sustainable practices are other domains of interest for MMCF which the FBN network is able to satisfy. MMCF Trustees and senior functionaries have been actively participating in the FBN and FBN Next Generation programmes in India and overseas. They are able to interact meaningfully with other delegates and have confidently contributed to the proceedings.
During the Goa convention in December 2015, the lead-faculty Ms. Amy Schumann utilized the presence of Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur (as Trustee of MMCF) to discuss the case study prepared on the House of Mewar by ISB-Kellogg's team of Prof. John L. Ward and Prof. K. Ramachandaran in 2010. Issues of Custodianship and sustainability of the House of the Mewar were debated with intense audience participation.
Through the MMCF, Udaipur participation, the FBN Nex Gen members have been made aware of the developmental works undertaken in Udaipur. Though most of the FBN members come from families with different background, they are able to relate to the challenges which MMCF is facing in a fast-globalizing world.