Smith Machine Genogram Assignment

The Smith Machine Genogram Assignment is designed to help you learn how to develop and use a Genogram to identify patterns of behavior and to better understand and analyze family interactions within a family business.

This assignment consisted of four steps.

The first step, Create a basic family tree genogram, is designed to help you learn how to develop a Family Tree, a basic family tree Genogram. This first step is designed to identify the family members involved in the family and in the business.

The second step, Developing the Genogram (The Back story) is designed to help you understand and apply the Genogram Symbols for use in the development of a Genogram. During this step we will apply Genogram symbols including Family, Emotional and other basic symbols for the development of a comprehensive Genogram. For this exercise, during this step we will exclude ownership and family involvement to minimize development time.

During the third and final step for this exercise Analyzing the Situation, we will create 4 Genograms depicting the 4 different recent ownership and involvement patterns in the business and analyze them (13-16).

Our objective for this step of the exercise is to address the following Questions to consider: 1. From the genogram(s) do you see any patterns? What are they?

2. What scenarios can you imagine happening within this family business given your fathers desire to retire? And why?

Do you see signs of family influence occurring within the business?

How do the changes in family involvement and influence affect potential scenarios within the business?

Do you see potential conflicts between family members? Why?

3. What advice might you give them?

For this assignment submit:

a Family Tree Genogram (step 1)

a complete Genogram depicting the Smith Family Back Story

the 4 most recent Genograms depicting family involvement with the business

analyze and address the questions above

Smith Tool Genogram Assignment E Clark 1

You - Brother - Sister -

Father

Mother

Uncle

Wife Two children

Ex-wife One child

Aunt

Husband Two children

Ex-husband One child

Grandfather

Grandmother

Mark 32 years old Joe 28 Mary 26

Michael 64 Cindy 58

George 58 Betty 38 George Jr 10 Fred 8 Martha 58 Ariel 33

Judy 56 William 58 John 22 Amy 24 Henry 58 Henry Jr 28

Fred Alice

Your fathers Uncle Your fathers Uncle

Great grandparents

Ralph 84 Norton 78

Thomas Jane

Smith Tool Genogram Assignment

E Clark

2

Smith Machine Genogram Assignment

Step 1 Developing the Family Tree: The Smith Family Business Family Tree

Create a basic family tree genogram from the details included below

Family (Paternal Side)

Smith Machine Genogram Assignment Step 2 Developing the Genogram (The Back story)

Using the Genogram family tree, (step 1), create a genogram including family, emotional and other genogram symbols. Using the Back Story (1- 12 below) Draw a Genogram including Family, Emotional and other basic symbols. (exclude ownership and business involvement)

Your Great Grandfather Thomas Smith founded the Smith Machine Tool business

Your Grandfather Fred worked in the business with your Great Grandfather Thomas Smith for many years and helped grow the business. Through this time together they developed a close relationship and when your Great Grandfather Thomas retired Fred became the President and ran the business.

Just prior to his death your Great Grandfather Thomas told the family that for all his hard work with the business that Fred would inherit it upon his death. Upon hearing this news your great uncle Ralph and Norton were upset and cut off relationships with your great grandfather Thomas.

And they cut relationships with their brother, your grandfather Fred. Your grandfather Fred and your father Michael also had a very close relationship.

Your great-grandfather passes away and shortly after your father joined the business

Due to the conflict between the brothers over time your father was cut off from his uncles and their families (his Aunts and cousins).

Your grandmother Alice however had a very close fondness and relationship with her brother in-law your great uncle Norton

Your grandmother was also very close to your aunt Judy

Your great uncle Norton was also very close to your aunt Judy

With the tension in the family, your aunt Judy had been excluded from the business and was also emotionally cut off from her father your grandfather Fred

Your grandmother Alice has a close relationship with your younger cousin Henry Jr.

Through the years your Uncle George has been in and out of the business; he has a substance abuse problem. His substance abuse problems have led to conflict between him and his brother Michael. From this point there are no changes in the Genogram other than business involvement.

13. Business Involvement: (currently involved in the business: Fred, Michael, George) Smith Tool Genogram Assignment E Clark 3

Smith Machine Genogram Assignment Step 3 Analyzing the Situation Recent Changes in the Family Business

Using the Genogram from Step 2 create 4 Genograms depicting the 4 different recent ownership and involvement events in the business (13-16).

Business Involvement: (currently involved in the business: Fred, Michael, George)

You join the business (currently involved in the business: Fred, Michael, George, You)

Two years later your cousin Henry Jr joins the business (currently involved in the business: Fred, Michael, George, You, Henry Jr)

Your grandfather passed away your grandmother Alice inherited the business. She does not and has never worked in the business. (currently involved in the business: Michael, George, You, Henry Jr, Alice)

Your father Michael is now openly discussing his retirement.

Questions to consider:

1. From the genogram do you see any patterns? What are they?

2. What scenarios can you imagine happening within this family business given your fathers desire to retire? And why?

Do you see signs of family influence occurring within the business?

How do the changes in family involvement and influence affect potential scenarios within the business?

Do you see potential conflicts between family members? Why?

4. What advice might you give them?