Global Immersion: Consulting and Advising Family Enterprises (CAFÉ) in Italy

Many advisors mistakenly equate years of practice with competence, overlooking the need for specialized training in family enterprises. Research highlights a troubling misalignment: while family firms prioritize relational concerns as key drivers of business operations, strategy, decision-making, and work roles, advisors often focus on structural and cognitive aspects. This misalignment can lead to ineffective or even damaging outcomes for both the family and the business. The primary objectives of this course are to identify and build the skills related to the profession of advising family enterprises to increase the potential for creating long-term value for clients and advisors and to create awareness around the biggest risks and mistakes advisors may encounter while advising family enterprises, exploring the concept of code of ethics. This course aims to bridge the gap between advisors' general practices and the specific needs of family enterprises by providing specialized education and firsthand cultural experiences. As culture plays a significant role in shaping the decision-making process of enterprising families, particularly in terms of individualism and collectivism, this class offers a unique opportunity to explore the profound impact of these factors on the identity of such families. By immersing ourselves in Italy, we will witness collectivism in action, gaining invaluable insights into its influence within families and among advisors. Moreover, this international trip provides a platform to experience firsthand the contrasting dynamics of transactional and relational environments, enhancing our understanding of the multifaceted nature of business relationships. By the end of this course, participants will have explored and experienced the core of advising family enterprises as a profession, including appreciating specific skills, interpersonal and value-based competencies, and concrete behaviors showing professionalism to be better prepared to appreciate and navigate the complexities of family enterprises. This course is an intensive academic and professional immersion involving substantial travel, a demanding schedule, and full participation in all required activities. Students seeking primarily tourism or leisure travel should not enroll. Professional conduct is a core component of course assessment: students must demonstrate punctuality, preparation, confidentiality, respect, and responsibility toward host families, companies, advisors, and fellow participants. These expectations reflect the ethical responsibilities of advising family enterprises and the trust our hosts place in us. A single breach of these expectations may, at the professor’s discretion and without a prior warning, result in exclusion from company visits and further program participation Travel to Italy will take place during spring break, March, 14-20, 2027. The 2026-2027 Global Immersion Program (GIP) mandatory fee for all classes is $2500 and provides students with double occupancy lodging, ground transportation and some meals. It does not cover roundtrip international airfare. Attendance both in New York and in-country and regular participation are a crucial part of the learning experience and as such attendance is mandatory. Please visit the Chazen Institute website to learn more about the Global Immersion Program and visit the Global Immersion Policies page to review policies affecting these courses. Please note all international travel involves risk. We do not control the cities and companies we visit. We try our best to plan a safe trip with positive experience. However, if your tolerance for risk or uncertainties is low, GIP is not for you. Also note Chazen travels often involve travel to emerging economies, exposing students to cultures and environments often times different than their own. This means differing levels of infrastructure, efficiency and standards affecting hotel stays, meals, traffic delays and transportation limitations. Please keep this in mind if you sign up for our travel programs — it is important to be considerate and flexible. International students with questions or concerns about traveling outside of the US should speak with the ISSO.