Protecting family ties in a growing business

Jack Staines • May 11, 2026

Around 70 per cent of small businesses are family enterprises. That is a powerful reminder of how much trust, shared values and long-term commitment drives the small business sector. Family businesses often benefit from loyalty, resilience and a strong sense of purpose.

At the same time, mixing family and business can be complicated. Personal history, sibling dynamics and unspoken expectations can influence decisions in subtle ways and can create conflict. When you work with relatives, you are managing more than a business. You are managing relationships that matter deeply outside the workplace too.


The good news is that harmony is possible with the right structure.


Know the risks


In family businesses, emotions tend to sit closer to the surface than in a purely professional environment. A disagreement about strategy can quickly feel personal. Long standing family roles can quietly shape behaviour at work.


Confusion about responsibilities is also common. A spouse may help with the business, without the benefit of a clearly defined position. A child may assume leadership will automatically pass to them one day. Without clarity, assumptions grow and resentment can follow.


Recognising these risks early allows you to address them before they damage both the business and family relationships.


Set the rules


A Family Charter or Constitution is one of the most useful tools a family enterprise can create. This is a non-binding written agreement that sets out how the family, and the business, will work together.


It can define roles, ownership structures, and expectations for family members who join the company. It should also clarify how decisions are made and how disputes are handled. Agreeing in advance which decisions require consensus and who has final authority reduces power struggles and conflict down the track.


When emotions rise, you can refer to agreed processes rather than arguing about personalities.


Clarify roles


As well as defining how the family works together in the business, it can also help to have clarity around individual roles and responsibilities within the company, as unclear roles can be a major source of tension.


Ensure you have documented job descriptions, set performance guidelines and make reporting hierarchy obvious. Scheduling regular, formal reviews can be useful to set expectations and provide feedback in a professional setting.


It is also important to separate ownership from employment. Being a shareholder does not automatically qualify someone for a management role they may not be suited for. Setting fair entry requirements and standards protects both the business and the credibility of family members within it.


Professional conduct is also important, even if you have worked together for years, it helps to treat family members as colleagues, which can be challenging at times.


Talk it through


Healthy communication is essential and regular, structured meetings can help keep business discussions focused and productive.


Encourage neutral language in disagreements. Saying, “I disagree with this approach because…” keeps the focus on strategy. Phrases like “You always…” quickly turns discussions into personal attacks.


It also helps to stay in the present. Old family grievances rarely improve today’s business decisions.


Get outside help


When tensions run high, external support can make a significant difference. A mediator, accountant, consultant or advisory board can provide objectivity and guide difficult conversations, particularly around governance or succession.


Seeking outside help shows commitment to the long-term health of both the company and the family.


Plan ahead


Succession is one of the most sensitive issues in family businesses. If it is not discussed openly, it can create anxiety and competition.


Start conversations early. Be transparent about what leadership requires and how decisions will be made. In some cases, professional managers may lead the business while ownership remains in the family.


Clarity builds trust and reduces misunderstandings.


Set boundaries


Clear boundaries between work and home life are essential. Try to protect family time from constant business discussions and create moments where relationships come first.


If conflict escalates, temporary changes in responsibilities or reporting lines can help ease pressure. Preserving the relationship should always be a priority.


A strong future


Family businesses have unique strengths, including long term thinking and shared commitment. But harmony does not happen by chance. It comes from clear rules, defined roles, open communication and healthy boundaries.


By managing both the personal and professional relationships with care, you give your business the best chance to thrive for generations to come.

Do you know how your super is performing?

By Nikki Ashurst • November 2, 2026
Many Australians don't know how their super fund has performed or what it invests in. Are you one of them? Here's what to check and why it matters. Do you know how your super fund performed over the last two years? Many Australians don’t and are working towards their financial future without fully understanding one of their most important assets and without a clear plan for how their super may support them in retirement. That's not surprising, as many people view super as something that should run quietly in the background while they're busy with careers, families and everything else that life throws at them. But when you’re not sure what’s happening behind your balance, it’s harder to know whether you’re on track, whether your current approach reflects your goals or what opportunities might be available to help you make the most of what you’ve built so far. Your super isn't sitting in an account, it's invested Super is invested by a fund on your behalf across a mix of assets, with those investments working to grow your balance over time. Those include: Shares Ownership in Australian and international publicly listed companies. Their value can rise and fall, sometimes substantially over short periods but shares can provide capital growth over the long term. Property and infrastructure Real assets like office buildings, shopping centres, airports and energy networks. They can produce income and don't always behave in the same way as share markets, helping diversify investment holdings. Fixed interest and bonds Lending to governments and companies in return for interest. They can provide regular income and be steadier than shares, although returns and risk vary depending on the investment. Cash Generally, the most stable and lowest risk investment type. It can provide stability and faster access to money but typically offers lower longer term return potential. The investment option you choose determines the mix of assets held in your super based on your risk appetite. Most super funds offer options from conservative to high growth. If you’re young, a growth option with a higher exposure to growth assets like shares could offer higher returns over time – but it also comes with higher risk. As retirement nears, you might want to consider a more conservative approach with more defensive assets, like bonds for example to protect your savings. If you've never made a choice, you're probably in your fund's default option, which is designed to suit a broad membership. It’s worth knowing whether the mix you're in matches your circumstances and goals, including how far you are from retirement. Why performance alone is not a true comparison If you're thinking about how your super compares, returns are often where people start. The trouble is that a return figure means nothing without context: What it's being compared to Growth and conservative options invest differently and with different levels of risk. Compare like with like or the comparison may not be genuine. The comparison period A single year can be heavily influenced by short term market conditions. Super is measured in decades, so five, seven and ten year returns tell you far more about whether a fund is consistently doing its job, albeit not a predictor of future performance. Fees and tax Published returns should reflect investment fees, costs and tax but administration fees may be charged separately from your balance. Two funds quoting the same return can leave you in meaningfully different places once all fees are accounted for. Then there are the things that returns can't show you at all. For example, what insurance is attached to your account and what it's costing you, whether the fund offers guidance, tools and advice or simply sends a statement once a year. Another consideration maybe the level of support available when you need it. When comparing funds, it's worth looking at the full picture, including performance, fees, investment options, retirement support and member benefits. What today’s decisions mean tomorrow To understand how your super stacks up, start here: Find your investment option It's on your annual statement and in your online account. Look at what's in it Your fund publishes the asset allocation (shares, cash etc.) for each investment option. Check the long-term return for that option Focus on five and ten year returns, not just last year and compare them with equivalent options. Understand the total cost Add together administration fees, investment fees and insurance premiums as an annual dollar figure. Comparing super is about working out which option will perform best for you. Before you jump in, it’s worth understanding what's behind the numbers so you can make decisions based on more than a headline return. Knowing where you stand is the first step A super balance tells you where you are today. Understanding how your super is invested, how it compares and whether it's aligned with your goals helps show whether you're heading in the right direction. Source: MLC The information in this article does not take into account your objectives, needs and circumstances. We recommend that you obtain investment and taxation advice specific to your investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs before making any investment decision or acting on any of the information contained in this document. Subject to law, Capstone Financial Planning nor their directors, employees or authorised representatives gives any representation or warranty as to the reliability, accuracy or completeness of the information; or accepts any responsibility for any person acting, or refraining from acting, on the basis of the information contained in this document. Principal Wealth Management Pty Ltd trading as BMO Financial Solutions ABN 53 109 336 601 is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 277821) of Capstone Financial Planning Pty Ltd ABN 24 093 733 969 Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) No. 223135.

The SMSF landscape is changing

By Jude Schofield • October 7, 2026
More Australians are choosing to take direct control of their retirement savings by establishing a self-managed super fund (SMSF) and according to the SMSF Association, Aussies now see their super as an important part of building and managing their overall wealth.