The Family Business Institute (FBI) is a public-private alliance among the School of Business & Public Administration (BPA) at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB); Kern County small and family owned businesses; and local service professionals and practitioners. Programs and support for FBI activities are administered through the Business Research and Education Center of BPA.

The Family Business Institute is a community resource that addresses the myriad of issues pertaining to small and family owned businesses, and provides lifelong learning opportunities that explore the dynamics, complexities, and challenges of the family firm. The goal of the Institute is to develop a continuing body of knowledge and problem solving techniques that are current, reliable, and accessible to all members.

Programs

Institute programs include interactive workshops, breakfast roundtable discussions, and various informal activities and events that are designed to provide members with the most up-to-date information, trends, developments, and cutting edge examples of best practices available in the field. During the various sessions there are sharing of ideas, experiences, and expertise that provides a unique learning environment for inspiring new thinking and strategies in addressing the special issues and problems associated with family owned business enterprises. This interdisciplinary approach captures insights from such diverse sources as law, accounting, finance, insurance, real estate, investments, business consultants, media experts, security providers, banking, the academic community, and from experienced business owners and managers. There are eight to ten scheduled events a year.

Program Topics

Some of the topics of past programs have included strategic planning, risk management, assessing business structures, budgeting, cash flow issues, financing long term debt, asset planning, rollover investments, estate planning using tax free dollars, international marketing, state of the economy, and labor, employment and human resources issues. Additionally, family business issues are also addressed, such as family firm life-cycle and managing succession, protecting family assets, sustaining wealth creation into the next generation, the non-family manager or key employee, non-participating family members, sibling rivalry and intergenerational relationships, compensation for family members, etc.

Networking

Another outstanding feature of this program is in providing a natural environment for potential networking opportunities. This forum brings together a community of peers, in an informal atmosphere, with similar interests. Participants continuously interact with each other on a number of issues. Additionally, the participants generally represent a complimentary cross-section of business owners, entrepreneurs, and service professionals and practitioners. This combination fosters networking and the development of new business contacts. Developing relationships and networking is imperative in a world of advancing technology and an expanding global economy.

Membership

Membership is open to all family owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and service professionals and practitioners interested in discussing, learning, and developing knowledge about family businesses.