"She'll always be my little sister." - family business enterprises

"She'll Always Be My Little Sister"

Martin Schmidt is the second-generation owner and manager of a construction company that builds office towers around the world. He is in his late fifties and recently became concerned about his daughter, Dorothy, and her increasing desire to join the family business.

Marty's middle child, Robert, has been with Schmidt Works for four years and is widely viewed as Marty's likely successor. Marty's other child, his oldest son, moved far from home after a falling-out with his father. Marty's wife is not involved in the business.

Marty admits that Dorothy is well prepared for a career with Schmidt Works. She has studied at Ivy League schools, has worked successfully in a multinational conglomerate, and holds an MBA. When Marty was asked about his reservations about Dorothy's joining the firm, he replied: "I'm scared to bring her into the company. I know she's qualified, but I just can't see my Dotty leading and giving orders. She's a good girl, and I know that no one in this business will listen to her."

Bobby shares his father's opinion that Schmidt Works is not "the right place for Dotty." He says: "I don't see her working in this industry--it's physically exhausting work. I'm afraid she'll fail, and she isn't able to handle failure. She'll always be my little sister--I'll never get over that. I just want to protect her, and I don't have time to hold her hand. Her insistence on joining the business is beginning to irritate me."

Dorothy says: "I've always wanted to be in the business, and as a family member, I should be allowed to join. My only problem is getting my father and brother to take me seriously. If I present some expert's idea, they listen, but my opinion is usually overlooked and not discussed. I feel frustrated and a little hopeless about even things I'm confident about."

Is there any hope for Dorothy?

COPYRIGHT 1990 U.S. Chamber of Commerce
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group