ABFI and the Alberta School of Business understand the vital role business families play in our modern economy and believe it is paramount to include the study and impact of business families in post secondary curriculum. Our BCom and MBA students learn how to:
● Interact with business families effectively and develop an enhanced understanding of the complications family firms face in different regions throughout the world.
● Integrate family members into a business venture, take over leadership of an existing family enterprise, pass a business onto the next generation and manage the trans-generational transfer of wealth.
Students can further benefit from family business scholarships, visiting speakers, international field trips, and individual course offerings in family business and entrepreneurship.
ABFI and the Alberta School of Business are excited to announce a new Executive Certificate in Family Enterprise (ECFE), designed specifically for business families seeking growth and considering future leadership or business transitions. The ECFE equips owners, leaders, and family members with tools to:
- Build effective governance frameworks;
- Enhance strategic decision-making; and
- Strengthen succession planning and business transitions.
This certificate consists of in-person and online learning spread across four courses and a capstone summit, and provides a pathway to Masters-level education (MBA, EMBA). Courses Include:
- SME & Family Business Governance
- Managing Family Enterprise OR Strategic Consulting for Family Business;
- Finance & Strategy for SME and Family Business
- MBA elective including Marketing, Innovation, New Venture Creation, Managing People, or Effective Negotiations
- Capstone Family Business Summit
For more information or to join the waiting list, email abfi@ualberta.ca, or fill out the waitlist form.
For Students:
Provided through the Alberta School of Business, the Family Business Co-op is an optional program within the Bachelor of Commerce degree, where students interested in pursuing careers in the family business sector can supplement their regular academic coursework with 12 months of full-time, paid work experience before graduating in a successful family-owned Alberta business. Co-op allows students to apply academic concepts learned in the classroom while on the job.
To look for current co-op positions with Business families visit CareerConnect.
For Family Businesses:
Students in the Bachelor of Commerce Cooperative Education Program are undergraduate students who complete 4, 8, or 12 month full time work placements as part of their program.
Family businesses that participate in the co-op program and welcome an Alberta School of Business student into their workplace will benefit from:
- Mobilizing students’ knowledge and skills in areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, HR, technology, and operations management.
- Accessing the fresh perspectives and innovative attitudes of students at one of the world’s leading institutions of business education and research.
- Contributing to the future of the family business sector in Alberta and Canada by investing in its next generation of leaders.
Family businesses can utilize Co-op students to work on projects, fill temporary job openings or to evaluate potential future employees.
Learn more about the Family Business Co-op program by contacting abfi@ualberta.ca and visiting the University of Alberta Co-op Program website.
The Business Family Club connects students with an interest in family business to local family businesses, advisors, and faculty to prepare them for working within, leading, or joining a family-owned business. The club focuses on educational sessions, guest speakers from alumni and family business leaders, and site visits. Please reach out to abfi@ualberta.ca to join this club.
We are currently seeking students to lead and kick off this club for the next semester.
We can work with you to provide educational solutions tailored to your specific needs. Leveraging our educational resources and expertise, custom programming allows you to tailor training programs to your specific business family needs.
ABFI partners with the Alberta School of Business to design and deliver customized training and programming at a world-class level. We will work with you every step of the way to develop a clear understanding of your goals and objectives and provide educational solutions tailored to your specific family business needs. These training programs can be delivered for small or large groups, at your location of choice, and within your preferred timeline. Possible subjects include
- Family and Corporate Governance
- Family Business Succession Plans
- Family Compensation
- Transition Planning Fundamentals
- NxGen Leadership
- Succession Planning & Management
Please contact abfi@ualberta.ca for more information on custom programming.