Transition Consulting Group clients share testimonials of success working with family business experts Paul and David Karofsky.
Roger Berkowitz, CEO, Legal Seafoods, Boston, MA
“When I was contemplating the purchase of another family owned business, I immediately enlisted Paul’s services. I knew that Paul’s sensitivity and experience, in understanding the dynamics of families in business would be invaluable in helping to defray the angst and emotion, which was sure to play a role in any potential transaction. Paul proved to be the perfect mediator, and I wouldn’t hesitate to call upon him again, whether it be for purchases of other owned family businesses, or stock purchases within the family.”
Roger Berkowitz, CEO, Legal Seafoods http://www.legalseafoods.com |
Carmen Bianchi, Past President and Fellow, Family Firm Institute
“I have known my esteemed colleague and friend, Paul Karofsky, as a consultant to family businesses for nearly 20 years. Paul’s significant experience in the field is highly respected amongst his peers. Well known for his professionalism and quality of work, he has a keen understanding and regard for the needs of the business and the family. Any family business would be very fortunate to have his expert counsel and facilitation.”
Carmen Bianchi, Past President and Fellow, Family Firm Institute
Director of the Entrepreneurial Management Center and Adjunct Professor at San Diego State University http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/dept/emc/ |
Ted Clark, Executive Director Northeastern University Center for Family Business,
Boston, MA
“Transition Consulting Group brings a rare mix of essentials to the family business: experience, knowledge, insight and an intangible ability to make a connection between people.”
Ted Clark, Executive Director Northeastern University Center for Family Business, Boston, MA http://www.cba.neu.edu/cfb |
Gerard J. Donnellan, Ph.D., Organizational Psychology, Family Business Consultant, Boston, MA
“I have known Paul for many years as both colleague and collaborator. As a former CEO of a family business, he brings a level of understanding to its challenges and pitfalls which few possess. His wit and wisdom, deeply rooted in his own experience, provide a backdrop to his work. He listens to his clients and guides them, with tact and grace, through the often-murky waters confronting families in business together. His clients value his guidance, presence, sense of humor and vision in their work together. In the world of family business consulting, Paul is highly regarded for his commitment and generosity to colleagues and friends. He is a resource, both nationally and internationally, to clients, colleagues and the entire family business consulting community.”
Gerard J. Donnellan, Ph.D., Organizational Psychology, Family Business Consultant, Boston, MA http://wwww.big-leap.com |
Steve Grossman, Chairman, Grossman Marketing Group; former Chair, Democratic National Committee; Candidate for Treasurer, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
“For many years, I have been deeply impressed by Paul’s passionate commitment to innovation and excellence in family business management and his comprehensive understanding of the complex issues that surround it. My son, David, the first member of the fourth generation in our business, benefitted greatly from Paul’s expertise which he experienced first-hand in the Leadership Development Forum, which Paul facilitated.”
Steve Grossman, Chairman, Grossman Marketing Group; former Chair, Democratic National Committee; Candidate for Treasurer, Commonwealth of Massachusetts http://www.grossmanmarketing.com |
McKeel Hagerty, CEO Hagerty Insurance, Traverse City, MI
“It is essential for any family in business together to learn how to distinguish between what is family and what is business. Transition Consulting Group helped us do just that; it has made our family time better and our business discussions more productive.”
McKeel Hagerty, CEO Hagerty Insurance, Traverse City, MI http://www.hagerty.com |
Judy Leavitt, Principal, Sundance Counseling and Consulting, Wayland, MA
“I have had the great privilege of working with Paul Karofsky consulting together to hundreds of family businesses. Paul is unusually gifted in his ability to understand both business and family issues. Respected and admired by many in the field, Paul is perceptive, insightful and creative in his work. His knowledge of family business is unparalleled, having lived it and helping many families as a consultant. It is truly impressive to experience how Paul brings together divergent family members and helps catalyze business success. Now Paul has the great fortune of having his talented son David join him. As a father-son team, they are unique in their ability to relate to many of the issues facing family and closely held businesses.”
Judy Leavitt, Principal, Sundance Counseling and Consulting, Wayland, MA |
Harry Levinson, Ph.D., Chairman Emeritus and Founder of The Levinson Institute and Professor Emeritus, Harvard Medical School
“Paul’s pioneering work has helped to stimulate the rapid growth in the field of family businesses and his work internationally has motivated many foreign families to examine their own enterprises. He has brought many families together to revitalize their businesses and helped them to better learn how to help each other. With his own successful model for family business consulting, he now reaches into the next generation to continue this legacy with the inclusion of his son David. Together they offer wide-ranging guidance to families in divergent parts of the world; it is a stimulating model for families everywhere.“Family business stakeholders are so varied that consultants need a comprehensive range of capabilities – derived from the right experience and skills for personal adaptation. Reputation in this field is built upon nothing less.”
Harry Levinson, Ph.D., chairman emeritus and founder of The Levinson Institute and professor emeritus, Harvard Medical School |
Scott McCabe, Consultant, Rockefeller Consulting Group, Boston, MA
“Dave is an absolute delight to work with. His entrepreneurial background allows him to keenly understand and provide thoughtful solutions to the daily challenges faced by his clients. His warm and engaging personality is the foundation for his uncanny ability to intimately connect with people.”
Scott McCabe, Consultant, Rockefeller Consulting Group, Boston, MA |
Austin O’Connor, CEO & Family Member, Briar Group, Boston, MA
“Transition Consulting Group has worked with our family for over fifteen years. They have earned the trust of my parents and all of my siblings. Our family unity today is due in a large part to the efforts of TCG. They have helped us separate family issues from business issues. I don’t believe we would be enjoying Thanksgiving dinner together without their efforts and I don’t believe we would be running a successful restaurant company today without their efforts.”
Austin O’Connor, CEO & Family Member, Briar Group, Boston, MA http://www.briar-group.com/briar-group/ |
Richard Star, Cliffstar Corporation, Dunkirk, NY
“I met Paul Karofsky 14 years ago as I was considering career opportunities within my family’s business. The family wanted to make sure that as I was introduced into the company, we formulated an entry and exit plan and involved all of the members of our management staff. We interviewed several business consultants to assist us and felt extremely comfortable with Paul and Transition Consulting Group. Not only did Paul have firsthand experience with family business dynamics, he was very knowledgeable about modern management theory. He was able to skillfully integrate multiple stakeholders’ perspectives as we developed my integration plan. Paul followed up after our initial project, helping to implement and interpret a 360 degree review of my progress. He has been a trusted resource since we first met. I enthusiastically recommend his firm to anyone seeking assistance with complex family business issues.”
Richard Star, Cliffstar Corporation, Dunkirk, NY http://www.cliffstar.com |
Jaime Suarez, Suiphar International, Bogotá, Columbia
“… Three years ago we were faced with my father’s retirement. We knew what we wanted as a family and as a business organization, but we were not getting there. My father had attended a family business lecture given by Mr. Paul Karofsky. From the first moment we met we knew we had made the right decision. His knowledge about business, family relationships, leadership, conflict resolution, and his wisdom and charisma guided us through our transition. Paul will always be a key part of our history as a family and as a business.”
Jaime E. Suarez, Suiphar International, Bogotá, Columbia http://www.suiphar.com.do |
Kathy Walsh, Founder, PK Walsh Co., Needham, MA
“When family members go into business together, they take lots of risks-both financially and personally. Over 15 years ago our family business was in crisis and was introduced to Transition Consulting Group. Back then I never thought we would survive, let alone thrive. Here we are many years and crises later; we are still going strong thanks to the continuing guidance of TCG. TCG has become a most trusted advisor, having shared the gift and passion for practical approaches for resolving crises. The life experience of TCG’s principals provides for a constructive process to speedy and healthy resolutions.”
Kathy Walsh, Founder, PK Walsh Co., Needham, MA http://www.pkwalsh.com |
Carl Wright, Executive Vice President, Coraid, Inc., San Clemente, CA
“David is one of the most professional executives that I have worked with in the past 10 years. He possess a true client centric view of the world that enables him to listen carefully, comprehend what his clients need, and create innovative actionable plans to accomplish those objectives. More than just a customer advocate, David’s business acumen makes him a truly invaluable addition to any team.”
Carl Wright, Executive Vice President, Coraid, Inc., San Clemente, CA http://www.coraid.com |
Craigie Zildjian, President and CEO, Zildjian Company, Norwell, MA
“Once we realized that all the shareholders were not quite ‘on the same page,’ we felt we needed help in conducting family meetings to reach consensus. Transition Consulting Group was able to assist us with some of the more sensitive issues on a very discrete basis. With their help, we established a three generation Family Council which allowed us to openly discuss the family’s history, culture, and the values of a legacy brand as well as the next generation’s commitment to our family business. They helped us to move forward in a positive way with a clearer sense of direction.”
Craigie Zildjian, President and CEO, Zildjian Company, Norwell, MA http://zildjian.com |
