On 4th May 2025, the Dawoodi Bohra community in Karachi hosted a full-day workshop that addressed a critical yet often overlooked aspect of running a business: succession planning.
The “Family Business Management” workshop aimed to help business families learn practical tools, insights, and strategies for long-term success through effective succession planning and communication.
“Most business founders overlook the complexities of succession, and yet, it is precisely this transition that truly tests the strength and endurance of a business,” said one of the event organisers.
A value-driven perspective
Murtaza Ezzy, a local community leader, spoke on the Fatimi philosophy of trade — where engaging in honest and fair business activities is seen as a defining hallmark of a Muslim. This perspective encouraged participants to view succession not merely as an administrative task, but as a moral and generational responsibility grounded in spiritual values.
Workshop highlights
The sessions focused on three key areas:
- Clear division of roles and responsibilities within the family business
- The importance of communication, delegation, and long-term planning
- An introduction to the Family Business Charter — a practical document to support succession and streamline operations
Bridging generational gaps
One particularly impactful session invited both elder and younger family members to write down thoughts or feelings they often left unsaid. These anonymous messages were then read aloud.
One youngster asked for patience as he learned the ropes; an elder responded with encouragement, urging a younger relative to express himself openly and not keep things bottled up. These candid moments revealed just how much is often left unspoken in family businesses — and underscored the importance of open dialogue and mutual understanding.
From experience to action
Mohammed Petiwala, CEO of MEK Steel, a fourth-generation family business, shared how bringing in a professional to help draft a Family Business Charter significantly improved their operations.
More than just creating structure, the process led to greater clarity, internal harmony, and even personal growth among family members.
“Be polite and composed when speaking to family members — especially during tense moments,” he advised. “A family business takes generations to build — and only moments to fall into pieces.”
A call for timely action
Mustansir Rangoonwala, senior professor at the Karachi campus of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, emphasised the urgency of succession planning.
“It is a matter of great satisfaction to His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin when he sees the younger generation taking the reins of family businesses and carrying them forward. A family-run business has the capacity to grow not only in profit but also in cementing bonds of love and unity.”
The event was organised by the Business Department of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Karachi. By creating space for honest communication and encouraging structured planning, the event turned out meaningful for family-run enterprises aiming to build not just wealth, but legacy and unity across generations.