b'Tim Greene is president of Burrus Seed in Jacksonville, Ill. His two sons are just starting their journey in the company as well.welcomed, and theyre given points to share ideas without worryany business, its important to be able to talk about the business.of repercussions. Lori grew up knowing and understanding the activities her Tom and Todd were very welcoming of the next genera- father did in the business day-to-day, and even though you dont tion and to let me learn, Greene says. While I was on the saleslike to, sometimes you do bring work home, Greene says. But, side, I wasnt in the office all the time in my early career. When Ibecause weve all experienced it, we get to talk about it. There did come back, I could see that Martin didnt hesitate to let theare a lot of times that dinner conversation is around whats going decision-making move on. He was there for guidance, and leton in the business and how things have changed over the course Tom and Todd take over. Thats what kind of helped develop meof our 30 years. We try to not make it about our frustrations, over the career as wellthey were used to that, because it wasinstead, you frame it as whats going on. And sometimes, you the path their father had chosen. leave things at work.The fourth generation got to join in as active partners, andAnother solution the Cornelius family has found to be helpful? that was a very important step in our development. We got theFinding a neutral space to be the work-free zone.opportunity to participate in helping guide the businessitsFor their family, as big Iowa State fans with a place in Ames, important to let the next generation call a lot of the shots too,theres an unwritten rule that Ames is a work-free zone.Greene says. We dont talk business unless theres a front burner issue, she says. Itll be talked about, and then tabled. We go to Ames Bringing Business Home? Check Your Attitude to be a family.Besides bringing the next generation into the business, anotherIf youre in a family business, you need to be in the business part of maintaining the right family dynamics within a familyof being a family, Cornelius says. business is examining how you bring business home. Thats notThough family dynamics can be a hard task to master, to say that you leave business at the office, but Cornelius says itremember you are working toward a common goal. helps to approach the dynamics in the right way. Keep the lines of communication open and always, always Were fortunate that our grandkids pop in and out of thehave grace with one another, Cornelius says.SWoffice all the time, she says. Theyre watching us. When youre sitting around the table after a day of workdont talk about how hard it is. Be real, but dont dwell on the negatives. If you ON THE WEBstart talking about how hard the business is, they may neverWHERE have any desire to be part of it. You need to work at stayingpositive. Want to watch Chris Corneliuss full lecture on family dynamics in an independent seed business? Visit: Greene agreesthough there are frustrations every day like invimeo.com/user20353817/review/619355102/609b898f53.24/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2023'