In the intricate ecosystem of family businesses, managing wealth is an art as much as a science. It involves more than just safeguarding assets; it’s about understanding the delicate balance between familial relationships, business goals, and ownership interests. At Victus Group, we’re not just advisors but partners in our clients’ journey.
Our adoption of the Three-Circle Model of the Family Business System equips us to address the multifaceted nature of family wealth, ensuring its preservation and growth for future generations.
Developed by Renato Tagiuri and John Davis at Harvard Business School, the Three-Circle Model provides a robust framework for understanding the distinct but interconnected domains that shape family businesses. These three domains – family, ownership, and business – are represented by overlapping circles, each with its own set of stakeholders, goals, and dynamics.
As Bill and Will Bonner note in their book “Family Fortunes,” “Family money is very different from the cash that individuals have in the bank. Members of successful ‘Old Money Families’ think of themselves as stewards, not owners, of their financial capital.”
This sentiment lies at the heart of our approach. We help families view their wealth not as a possession to be consumed, but as a legacy to be nurtured and passed on.
At Victus Group, we have seen that individuals within a family business often wear multiple hats. A family member might be an owner, an employee, or both, each role bringing specific expectations, responsibilities, and challenges.
Our approach begins with deeply understanding each family’s unique story, values, and aspirations. We listen to each stakeholder, gathering insights into their goals, concerns, and visions for the future. This allows us to craft a comprehensive wealth management plan that aligns with the family’s values, supports the growth and continuity of the business, and ensures the long-term preservation of family wealth.
Central to our work is recognising that effective wealth stewardship for family businesses extends beyond just financial planning. It encompasses family governance, strategic planning, succession planning, and conflict resolution. We help families develop clear communication channels, decision-making processes, and governance structures that foster harmony, transparency, and accountability. This might involve creating a family constitution, establishing a family council, or implementing mechanisms for dispute resolution.
We also place a strong emphasis on strategic family planning and succession planning. We help families articulate their long-term vision, identify potential successors, and develop a roadmap for a smooth leadership and ownership transition across generations. By proactively addressing these issues, we help families avoid the pitfalls that often derail family businesses, such as lack of clarity, unresolved conflicts, or inadequate preparation for the future.
Our financial planners work closely with families to select the right investment strategies and products to support their wealth stewardship goals. This might include retirement annuities, unit trusts, endowments, living annuities, sinking funds, tax-free savings investments, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), personal share portfolios, structured notes, money market accounts, and fixed deposits. The specific mix of products is collabrated to each family’s unique circumstances, risk tolerance, and long-term objectives.
Ultimately, our goal is to empower families to create a multi-generational system geared towards wealth creation, protection, longevity, and succession. By leveraging the insights of the Three-Circle Model and taking a comprehensive approach to family financial planning, we help families navigate the complex interplay of family, ownership, and business, fostering a legacy of success that endures across generations.
At Victus Group, we are business, personal, and family financial planners who know how to help you achieve the life you deserve.