Unstructured management in family business

First, get the stakeholders together and make sure everyone agrees that something new is warranted.

When everyone is on the same page with regard to the new direction, analyze your strengths and weaknesses: market position, facilities and location, products, services, operations, management and staff expertise and experience.

Since it's unlikely that you can take a truly critical look at everything (this is true for most of us), you should find an outside person, like a consultant, who can help you get to the heart of your challenges and opportunities.

Next, prepare a business plan based on what you've learned, which will focus on maximizing strengths and minimizing weaknesses.

It would also be a good idea to check with your industry association which should be able to lead you toward industry best practices and change agent professionals.