“Family” before “Office”
As we reflect on the summer break, one observation remains clear: Family offices are often promoted as the backbone of family unity. However, the reality is quite the opposite. It is because a family is united that a family office can effectively serve their shared vision and common projects.
A family office is, at its core, a tool—an exceptionally powerful one, but a tool nonetheless. When fully operational, a family office can strengthen family unity by:
Organizing how investments are managed,
Providing a structured space for debate and discussion,
Establishing clear rules for decision-making.
Yet, it is the unity and cohesion of the family itself that ultimately shapes the family office. The family office becomes a reflection of who the family is and what they stand for.
This is the essence of the principle that, in a family office, "family" always comes before "office."