The strength of family businesses in the Netherlands. But how do we maintain that strength?

Wybe Jan Nauta - Owner and director of the 60-year-old family business Nauta Group

What is it that makes family businesses so attractive, that makes every company today create its own "family culture"? A little company has amusing stories about its origins, a striking owner who knows all the employees by name, parties that people talk about for years to come, and preferably its own language, which you get to know when you become part of the "family. Coolblue is perhaps the best-known example of a created family feeling, with particular success, of course! 

Family businesses, with their rich history, are an essential part of the Dutch economy. They play an important role in the construction industry, among others, However, the construction industry has been under pressure for some time due to the nitrogen crisis, rising interest rates and a shortage of building land. 

In this column, I want to take you through how the power of family businesses can help address these complex issues, allowing family businesses to survive as well as maintain their significance to society!

Reliable and durable

One of the greatest strengths of family businesses is reliability. Generation after generation, family businesses have proven themselves to be stable and trusted partners for customers and employees. Customer satisfaction is crucial. The focus of a family business is more on long-term success, rather than just achieving short-term profits. They nurture their own reputation and think about the future, resulting in lasting relationships and long-term growth. Family businesses are therefore quite crisis-proof.

Knowledge from generation to generation

Family businesses are passed down from generation to generation. This proves to be the basis of success. The pride, passion and craftsmanship that are there for the product or service is evident in the quality. This is also how it works with us. Customers can count on high-quality products that are manufactured with care and extensively tested for functionality, ease of use and durability. These are important aspects when considering the social issues I mentioned above.

Flexibility and innovation

Another characteristic of family businesses is the ability to be flexible and adapt to changing market conditions. This is due to the flat organizational structure and fast decision-making, which enables a company to respond quickly to new challenges and opportunities. Innovation is therefore an essential driver within family businesses. 

Finally, I would like to share with you some points of interest that answer the question: how do you increase the strength of your own family business? 

Review strategy and policy regularly using external (opportunities and threats) and internal (strengths and weaknesses) analysis. Adjust the organization when circumstances demand it. Innovate, coming up with innovative solutions and ideas are very important for continuity. Focus on core activities. Cherish the core values of the family business. Finally, personal contact and excellent customer cooperation will always remain the crucial factor.