Werdiger, David
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(Article) Stress tests - building resilience in the face of a crisis
01.12.2020
During this global pandemic one major concern has been the stress on families and family offices. To help with this we have a valuable and thoughtful submission by David Werdiger (Australia), ?Stress tests - building resilience in the face of a crisis?. His article, using case studies, explores how family systems have reacted - for better or worse - to the Covid-19 health risk and how their ability to respond has been reflected in their foundations of good governance and shared values. The first case study he uses is an example of the ?weight of expectation?. He refers to the boxer Mike Tyson who said, ?Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth?. David describes a number of families and their varying abilities to ?get back up? after being knocked down. He shows the value of good governance and how it leads to resilience in the family and the family office. He also makes the case for keeping governance on the front burner, not the back burner - it needs to be there when it is needed, as in the present time. -
(Article) The time-purpose map - finding balance in wealthy families
26.06.2023
Philanthropy continues as a theme in this issue. David Werdiger writes on finding balance in wealthy families. David observes that when one's time does not need to be spent in the active pursuit of income, the choice of how to spend that time becomes even more important. He discusses the spectrum of for profit/non-profit work and how individuals find the right mix to suit them and their families.