Why should you have a retreat? The dining room table is NOT a no-fly zone.
A retreat will give your family the liberating experience that clarifies goals and offers all parties a relaxed, neutral, comfortable atmosphere to discuss issues of the family business. Ground rules apply, and the facilitator helps keep those rules intact. Your family has unique communication situations.
Learning to communicate effectively with out detonating a Neutron bomb is critical. If you told an employee what you would tell a family member you would be sued. You only know about an employee from what was put on their resume, what you have witnessed or what you heard about at the company year-end party. A family member remembers what you did when you were eight and you have not been forgiven! Transparency and great communication skills are critical for success. Any of the Oppenheimer seminars can also be done as a family retreat.