There is a long list of failed Filipino family businesses that thrived even from the early 20th century including Gonzalo Co. to name one. Some of those that still exist today have become the shadow of their former glory.

Why the demise? Central to the problems in family-owned companies is the reality of conflicting personal and business roles. For one, problems in family systems require the resolution of emotional issues, while in business, one need to be rational to accomplish tasks. Add the fact that the rigors of the business sharpen sibling rivalries, create competition between generations, and enlarge pride and jealousy when work and home intertwine. These are only some of the issues unique to family-owned businesses.

Last 18 February 2009 at the Apo View Hotel, members of families running successful businesses in Davao City have immersed themselves in the first component of the Family Enterprise Management Training conducted by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) and the Philippines-Australia Human Resource Development Facility (PAHRDF). The training aims to empower and strengthen existing family enterprises.

Thus, the training generally wants to empower the management of relationships within the family while maintaining the viability of their enterprises for a longer period of time. More specifically, the training would like to help the families go through the business environment with continued growth and to help them manage their family relationships in the context of the business.

Participants had finished Component 2 of the training last 4 April 2009 which include: (1) Fundamentals of building Family Enterprises beyond personalities; (2) Unique Skills essential to successful Family Enterprise Management; (3) Developing the framework for the next generation management of the Family Enterprise; and (4) Practicum and Presentation of Outputs.

The seventeen (17) participating DCCCII Family Enterprises will be engaged in a 3-day Family Boot Camp on April 17, 18 and 19, 2009 for the crafting of their respective family constitutions.

Aside from the owners of the family businesses, business schools and Small and Medium Resource Network (SMERN) Consultants also participated in the said training to develop their skills in handling family enterprises or as a public offering when they conduct trainings on Family Enterprise Management.