Measuring the real value and the total performance of intellectual capital’s components is a critical part in running a company in the knowledge economy and Information Age. Understanding the intellectual capital in an enterprise allows leveraging of its intellectual assets. For a corporation, the result will optimize its stock price.

In my family business book, “Kite Runner Column” (Article No. 7), I enumerated several reasons why most family-owned businesses fail and what to do about it. One of the reasons is failure to develop a succession plan. Few people find it hard to come to terms with their own mortality and it may be difficult for an entrepreneur to recognize the time when he/she is no longer the best person to run the company. The third generation has not been adequately trained to take over, thus, resulting in failure to continue the business. And this is where the knowledge management perspective comes into play.

Soriano: The dangers of not initiating succession planning early