Stephen Manicek sat quietly and stared out the window of his car as it sat parked in the parking lot of Mayfaire Business Park. Until a few minutes ago, he had been president of his distribution company, one of the country’s largest telecommunications parts distributors. Now he was out of a job and felt he was a victim. Naturally, his first thought was to sue those responsible for his misfortune. The targets of his wrath were his younger sister and his mother. They had forced him out of the business. What should he do next? What could he do next?
After his father’s death, Stephen had received 49 percent of the stock in the family business. Another 49 percent share went to his sister. The remaining two percent – the swing vote – was held by their mother.
Stephen’s father had brought him into the business early and taught him well. After the founder’s death, Stephen assumed all responsibilities for sales and became the key man in the business.
His sister, Clara, handled the bookkeeping and other administrative matters. Her husband managed the warehouse employees.
Despite ups and downs in the economy, the business thrived under Stephen’s stewardship. It had a long-standing tradition of excellent customer service and a good reputation because the elder Manicek had pioneered automation and distribution efficiency and tracking processes in the industry.
Because of his dedication to the business, Stephen had not spent much time nurturing family relationships. His relationship with his mother was not as close as that of his sister. As their mother aged, she became increasingly susceptible to the influences of her daughter. Family friction developed. A confrontation was inevitable.
Stephen had always assumed that his superior abilities and position as president and board chairman would enable him to prevail in any family dispute about the business. He was wrong. After many months of conflict over company strategy and financial performance, Stephen’s sister called a special meeting of the board of directors. Stephen was removed from his posts, fired as an employee, and given three months of severance pay after 20 years in the business.
Stephen naturally felt victimized ... but not so much by his sister and mother as by his deceased father. By failing in the most important remaining task in his life – to plan his estate – the elder Manicek made his son an unintended victim.
Stephen sat in his car and tried to understand where things had gone so terribly wrong.
The unfavorable business transition experiences described above may have been avoided had Stephen’s father asked – and answered with the help of an experienced business adviser – six critical questions.
Vantaca’s Balancing Act
Audrey Elsberry
-
May 17, 2024
|
|
Channel, UNC Law School Aid Wilmington Small Businesses
Audrey Elsberry
-
May 16, 2024
|
|
Developers Mark Opening Of $78M Apartment Project At Riverlights
Staff Reports
-
May 17, 2024
|
|
Two Apartment Projects Pitched For Kerr Avenue
Emma Dill
-
May 17, 2024
|
|
As Hurricane Season Heats Up, How Do Builders, Laws Prep Homes For Storms?
Emma Dill
-
May 17, 2024
|
Adam Isley, founder of a spatial medtech applications and experiences company Artemis Immersive, shares his top tech and info picks....
The top half marathon in each state was crowned based on nearly 20,000 votes from runners across the country....
The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina has about 13,000 members; approximately 11,000 live in the greater New Hanover County area....
The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.