So the negative relationship was continuing, now on a business basis as well. When questioned in any fashion the father threatened to retire again, but the daughter still needed the help, so they’d have a discussion and reach what she thought was agreement. But, of course, the father went back to doing things as he saw fit, rather than letting her take the lead. She found this lack of control very draining on her emotionally and physically. But she still needed someone to function as CFO.

After discussing it with me she realized she really needed to find someone who would be willing to work WITH her and follow her lead. Her plan is to bring on a consultant to function as temporary CFO. If he/she works out the person will become permanent. Over the next 30 days she will actively seek a replacement for her father and tell her father that she is accepting his retirement. She expects to get some flack and more negativity, but she has realized that her father will never change (cannot change) and she needs to take back control of her business.

Too often I see business owners putting up with employees, often parents, who are non-productive or counterproductive. Sometimes a work-around can be made. I have one client whose father handed over the business to her but remained in the business. Because he functions mostly as an ambassador he is not blocking productivity. In this case it’s good for the parent and the business, but think long and hard before agreeing to have a family member in your business, especially a parent. Make sure they are not  holding you hostage in your own business.

Do you have an interesting story to share about child-parent business relationships?

Start with one pound of lobster meat. We buy ours at the Brooklyn Red Hook Lobster Pound. It’s got some mayo already on it, but nothing else. Think of it as a blank canvas.

1 pound lobster meat

2 – 3 scallions, chopped

1/2  sweet red pepper, chopped

1 stalk of celery, chopped

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tbsp.  sweet pickle relish

1/2 – 3/4 cup mayonnaise

Blend together, cover and place in refrigerator for 2 -3 hrs. so the flavors can meld. Spoon into warm soft rolls shaped like hot dog rolls, but have the cut on the top. MMMMMmmmm, good.  But they are filling, so plan one at a time.

If you do try it let me know what you think.

P.S. – I know this isn’t about business, but I wanted to share it because it’s so good.

His goal is to become the go-to guy for great riding bikes that look high-end but cost less than comparable big-builder bikes. He has amassed 3 barns full of cycle parts and has established an online business selling them. Brian is a true entrepreneur with good marketing savvy.

I couldn’t resist sitting on his bike. It was a beauty and has won awards at smaller shows. The only time I ever rode a motorcycle I was a passenger and I remember burning my leg on the exhaust. But it was a fun ride.

Walking the rest of the show revealed a very wide range of options for bikers, with prices ranging from less than $10,000 to over $50,000, at least what I saw. Bikers and would-be bikers of all ages were kicking the tires and trying the seat. Pre-teens and seniors alike were enjoying jumping on and off everything in the showroom. As would be expected, there were lots of riding and biking “accessories” on exhibit as well.

Here’s one of the exotic bikes we saw.

While I didn’t go to the show for business, I did meet a few people who were clearly in need of some marketing help. I left my card and will follow-up.

What I didn’t see was a company that offered bikes for rent, in the same way you can rent or lease a car. Seems like that would be a good option for those who don’t want to make the investment in a bike, but want to ride now and then. That’s an especially attractive option in this economy. Sooner or later someone will latch onto the idea.

For help with branding, revenue generating strategies or just helping you make a critical business decision, I’m always eager to support and guide you. Be in touch anytime.

Our flight was uneventful and our hotel was luxurious. We stayed at The Regent on Charlottenstrasse in the East. It was gorgeous and the service impeccable. I would highly recommend it. The Germans have maintained their traits of regimen and punctuality. Because of that, services in general are great. There are buses , subways, light rail, and trains, all with time of arrival updated by the minute on overhead electronic signs. Few people have cars because public transportation is everywhere and excellent.

One of the first things we did was take a personalized tour with an expat American who has been in Berlin for 9 years. We spent 8 hours with him and got a history lesson along with the full city tour. He said we walked a total of 4 miles and our bodies felt it the next day. It rained, snowed and sleeted during the day we were out and it was that bone-chilling damp cold that goes right through your clothes. I had on 3 layers and was OK, but my hands and face got cold.

We learned that most museums are centrally located on Museum Island in the middle of the Spree River, which runs through Berlin. We toured a couple later in the week. Our guide took our picture in front of the Reichtag, a building where political gatherings over the years have changed the course of history many times, and where Adolph Hitler convinced the German people to elect him.

Berlin is a city of many contrasts and surprises. What has been saved or restored is magnificent, but the memories of its ugly history are still evident. A piece of the old Wall which was breached 20 years ago  still stands.

The old has been preserved whenever possible, and the new is often right beside it. One church was left exactly as it was and the glass tower replacement stands beside it.

One day we went on a walking tour on our own into some of the streets of East Berlin where there still had not been much rehabilitation. It’s where many of the young people and artists live. We saw sidewalk markers in front of homes where people had been whisked away during the Holocaust and never seen again. Memorials of all varieties were on many of the blocks. And in the distance we could see the TV Tower and rotating ball built by the Russians (the tallest structure in Berlin) during the Cold War. At the top is a rotating  high-end restaurant that gives a 360 degree view of the City.  Another example of the many contrasts in Berlin.

I didn’t see one single family house in Berlin. Housing is six to seven story apartment houses (large and small) and on the upper floors of some of the commercial buildings. Any new construction requires that at least 20% will be dedicated to housing.

The food was excellent and representative of many countries. Of course, German food like wursts and pretzels are everywhere along with KFC, McDonald’s, Subway and Starbucks.

Almost everyone can speak English. It’s been part of the school curriculum for years, as tourism has been a major industry since the fall of the Wall. Even though the weather was cold, the people were warm and seemed to be in good cheer. Maybe it was a touch of the holiday spirit. All in all a wonderful experience.

Using their past experiences together with creative thinking they came up with a double win resolution.

Any interesting successful partnership strategies you’d like to share? Let’s spark our creative thinking.