This study had as objective the analysis and diagnose of the commercial structure of some Colombian familiar companies, in order to formulate a management model that allows them to confront the market challenges. As research unit, thirty companies from different productive sectors were employed and as working unit three companies, Pizano S.A. Corventas de Colombia Ltda, Ferretería Sicar Ltda. were selected. A structured survey and an open and historical personal interview were applied for gathering information. Field work showed, that 33% of the familiar companies managed to enter the second generation, while only 13% reached the third one, indicating fragility, if the company is not ready to accept the changes which the modernization of enterprise processes, of dynamics and of shifts in the commercial and administrative management

No abstract