Family Enterprise is important to Canada’s economic and social wellbeing. With over 800,000 family enterprises in Canada, experienced and expert advisors who understand the nuances unique to Family Enterprise are in demand. Claire Sutton is a Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA). Claire has obtained the unique insight, knowledge and understanding that comes with earning an FEA designation.
The Family Enterprise Xchange (FEX) is the national organization for Family Enterprises and their advisors. Its goal is: to empower enterprising families and their advisors so they can succeed and flourish.
And, as a member of the Family Enterprise Xchange. Claire stays current with access to global best practices and up-to-date professional development.
Given Claire’s background as a clinical therapist, life coach, and workplace consultant combined with her knowledge and skill-set in dealing with the unique challenges of family enterprise, Claire’s essential value to the FEA field is highlighted in these three categories especially.
1) Clear communication: In a respectful and non-judgemental setting, Claire helps facilitate clear communication so that each party feels able to speak and be understood. Clear communication can help relationships prosper not break down. Claire listens to what isn’t said as much as to what is being said. Clear communication is about verbal and non-verbal communication. It is about acknowledging the emotions, defusing the tension and addressing and resolving any conflict that surfaces.
2) Systems Approach: Claire works from a family systems approach. Claire is adept at using genograms and does so with all private practice clients. It is only by going in-depth into a client’s ‘family tree’ as well as asking the right questions that one can truly understand how people come to think and act the way they do. Through the understanding of family and workplace systems, issues can be addressed properly, growth can be obtained, and a vision can be planned and pursued.
3) Navigating transitions: Claire studied transition theory thoroughly and completed a thesis on the topic. Transitions are central to family enterprises. For family enterprises to succeed, transitions, both anticipated and unanticipated, need to be understood completely and navigated fully for the family enterprise to be able to move forward long term toward fulfilling and continuing its legacy.
As a Family Enterprise Advisor, Claire works with other FEA advisors to bring effective solutions to business family clients.
