The SIA Companies in Bismarck, ND, has some impressive stats: they’ve been owned and operated by a single family for 35 years, their initial business grew from a home-based location to serving 15,000+ agents, advi­sors, and reps in all 50 states, and in the last 5 years they have began taking the steps to make it a second-generation owned and operated business. Staying on top of the day-to-day work while tackling transitions and figuring out new roles for the family can be overwhelming; however, the Schmidt family at SIA stays proactive to ensure not only a successful transition, but a healthy workplace in general.

The Schmidts have been active in PFBA programs for several years and have incorporated many ideas into their daily operations – i.e., hiring consultants, formalizing family business meetings, and using literature from presenters to help their family and their employees. But perhaps the greatest program to benefit the Schmidt family is PFBA webinars. “Webinars inevitably prompt us to take action, make a decision, instill new protocols, and go new directions in our thinking,” stated the Schmidt family.

Webinars allow families, businesses, advisors, and employees to gain relevant family business education from distinguished family business professionals, all while attending from a local host site. “PFBA’s major impact on us has been to provide structure and resources that made it possible for us to add Family Business planning to our busy schedules.”

Taking advantage of continuing education and learning about the family business structure and your role in it is one of the most crucial elements to a successful and long-lasting business. The Schmidt family at The SIA Companies is passionate about making effective choices for both their family and their business, and webinars and continuing education has been the best tool for them. “PFBA webinars and reading suggestions have been enormously helpful to us and we’ve made huge strides.”