Safe Space with Francesco Lombardo

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Dr. Paul Jenkins, professional Psychologist. Why do people shy away from talking about their mental health? Why do wealthy families get stuck? Dr. Paul's one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…learn to operate the equipment of your own mind. You don't need to change a THING, you need to change a THINK. When you learn to ope...

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Bruce Tyrrell and 4th generation family business owner from the Hunter Valley wine region of Australia. When Bruce took over the family business in the 1960's his father's only advice was "go and grow the business". What did that mean to Bruce? How has the vineyard adapted over the years to a people focused, sustainable and succe...

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Nike Anani, a second generation business owner. In Nigeria, 90% of businesses are family businesses, but statistically only 2% of them survive into the next generation. Why is this happening? It is important for the Senior and NxtGen to have conversations about both the operational AND relational parts of the family business, but...

This week on the Safe Space Podcast, Francesco Lombardo speaks with Jenny Dinnen, a Mackenzie Corp. second generation family business owner. How do you set up a family business to be successful now and for years to come? Are you looking ahead as the traditional business that was originally started or planning into the future, seeking to understand what the impact of the NxtGen will be? If you aren...

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Ken McCracken, family business consultant and teacher.   Why is development of BOTH the senior and next generation so important to the success of the family business?   When family business members are resistant to change, finding ways to help them be open to receive knowledge and help, and not feel threatened is key.   Ken's one...

Kevin Hancock returns to the Safe Space podcast to discuss how losing his voice made the family business stronger and more profitable. By understanding for the first time what it was like not to be heard, Kevin changed his vision on running the company, which led to more profit in the last 10 years than the previous 164 years combined.  How did his vision change? What happened in the company that...

In this episode of Safe Space, Francesco is joined by Kevin Hancock, who talks about successfully running Hancock Lumber in its 6th generation WITHOUT speaking.  Founders and NxtGen, you are not the identity of the performers of the company Kevin shares. Give your performers a voice, because when people feel authentically heard they are much more committed to supporting the company.    Kevin offer...

On this week's episode of Safe Space, Francesco speaks to 3rd generation family business winemaker Mitchell Taylor.    Senior generations create a business but it's the NxtGen who continue them. It's up to the current generation to keep the business healthy, sustainable and evolving, in order to market to the NxtGen.  For the NxtGen, Family business isn't a part time thing. And just because you we...

John Gibbons returns to the podcast for a continued discussion with Francesco on integrity in family business. Keep your word, avoid empty promises, follow through and be honest to yourself and those who are part of the family business. You can't control the integrity of others, but you can control yourself.      John's advice, don't lie in business or in life because eventually you'll forget your...

In this episode Benjamin Persofsky and Francesco discuss the importance of having two sets of governance to manage a business owning family.     Joining Brown Brothers Harriman in 2010, he is now the Executive Director of the BBH Center for Family Business, which counsels some of the largest business-owning families in the world on issues of strategy, governance, succession planning, transition an...

In this episode Francesco talks with Lisa Daniel about the importance of inclusion of spouses in a Family business.  Lisa joined the Lodge family in 1994 when she married 5th generation family member Jay Daniel and is a very active volunteer with the Joseph Lodge Family Council. As Lisa shares, being a spouse who married into the family brings a fresh perspective without the influence of past emot...

In this episode, John Gibbons, a 4th generation family business member, talks about his passion project MARINAS GUARDIAN. Francesco and John discuss the importance of having a passion project while also being self-sustaining to be taken seriously. Being reliant on oneself is a critical ingredient for one's self-respect. Many times parents make life easier for the NXTGEN, without realizing they are...

Richa and Francesco tackle the issues of perspectives in Family Business. As Richa shared here, the mentor used to say, "If there are two or more utensils in the kitchen, they will clang and make noise."     The key to successful transition and succession is being able to understand and appreciate the perspectives of the other, all the while recognizing that both sides are truths.    Francesco and...

One of the biggest challenges facing succession and transition of a business from one generation to the next is the disinterest of the NxtGen in the business.    Andre, host of the Impulsive Thinker podcast, and Francesco discuss what the absence of self-expression looks like, why it's suppressed, and the cost of not allowing others, #NxtGen or Senior generation, in #FamilyBusiness to express them...

In this episode, Francesco interviews Andre Brisson, host of The Impulsive Thinker podcast. A frank and fun filled interview, Andre shares his journey of being diagnosed with ADHD and how he has used this as a tool for championing himself, his team and other entrepreneurs. Andre talks about how he saw emotional patterns of adults at a young age, how he knew he was different, and did not allow the...

What would have prevented this collapse?   In this episode Francesco and Warwick discuss the importance of focusing on emotional intelligence. Had he known what he knew and had access to Veritage at the time, Warwick believes things could have turned out much differently for him and the family. Francesco asked Warwick what advice he would give his 26 year old self if he could. His answer ..... sur...

How to go from $2.225B to zero, the collapse of a 150 year family business. In this interview, Warwick Fairfax, a 5th generation family member of the John Fairfax company based  in Australia candidly shared how he was personally responsible for taking down the family business at age 26. Armed with an MBA from Harvard, Warwick decided to launch a $2.225B takeover which led to the collapse of the fa...

Do you want to find your purpose in life? Do you want to have a lasting impact on the world? Do you want to connect deeper? Then this is the episode you don't want to miss!!! In this, the 101 episode of Safe Space™, Dov Baron shares the key question to ask oneself to start to uncover and discover their purpose. Dov talked about the role of one's ego to protect our wound and hide it from the world....

In this Dov Baron's 4th appearance on the show: a thought-provoking discussion on identity and why we as humans do what we do AND, more importantly, why it's so difficult to change our beliefs and behaviors.    Dov talks about the 3 big changes that are here as a result of COVID. If we don't accept these we will perish as a human and as businesses.       One's ability to face reality and have the...

Caren Yanis worked with Oprah Winfrey in setting up the Oprah Winfrey Foundation and Angel Network.    In this episode, Caren and Francesco discuss the importance of combining empathy and data when it comes to charitable giving.    Caren talked about "Democratizing Philanthropy" and shared what works and what does not work.    Her advice for the senior generation is to be clear on what your legacy...

In this the third of a three part interview, Elena Zafirova and Francesco discuss the future of NxtGen education and the importance of creating a uniquely tailored learning experience to each individual. Francesco also reminded us of   the three pillars of "preparedness" and Elena shared her views that the future of NextGen education will be human-centered, meaning being built for NxtGen by NxtGen...

In this episode, Jake Chagoury and Francesco tackle the UNDISCUSSED issue of: Where do I fit in, if at all in the family business? All too often the next generation feels the pressure and the burden to be involved in the family business, even if they don't have an interest or passion for it. They don't want to disappoint the previous generation and feel guilty for what they feel. This often leads...

In part two of three, Elena and Francesco discuss what is currently working in the education system and what is lacking to better equip and prepare the NxtGen for their future. What are the three pillars of preparedness and why do they matter to ensure an individual is properly equipped for their future? Elena's shares her own lessons learned from the journey of building DIONZ and the importance o...

Elena Zafirova, a nxtgen herself, shares her journey from graduating from a top boarding school to becoming a UK & US qualified lawyer advising her friends' parents on wealth management and tax matters, to joining the leadership team of a tech unicorn, to becoming the founder and CEO of DIONZ, a nxtgen education start-up.  Elena and Francesco discuss the lessons and opportunities that lie in havin...

John Kluge and Francesco dive into the topic of generosity. Why? Because, too many of us are stingy and operate with a scarcity mentality.   John shares his views, and the science behind operating with a spirit of generosity. The power of inclusion on profitability and positive impact on business.    The theme of this show is about making the conscious decision to be generous with your family, you...