Tool 10 of 14

The Three-circle map

Family, owners and the business: everyone placed where they stand.

The scenario

Meet the Hartleys (fictional)

Margaret was widowed eight months ago. The family business was sold in 2024, leaving about $82m across eight structures: five companies, a family trust, a unit trust and a super fund. Her private bank wants the portfolio reinvested within 60 days, and she does not know who now holds the family trust’s appointor role.

  • MargaretAge 58

    Widowed eight months ago (Richard). Sole director of all five companies.

  • JamesAge 31

    Commercial lawyer, married to Priya, one child.

  • SophieAge 27

    Ceramic artist, irregular income.

  • TomAge 19

    Engineering student.

  • Family Trust discretionary
  • Investment Trust $38m
  • Property company $14m
  • Distributions company $6m
  • Super Fund (SMSF) $7m
  • Held personally $17m
  • About $82m · eight structures

The Three-circle map

What it is

What it is

A simple map for business-owning families. Everyone connected to the business is placed by three questions: are they family, do they own part of it, and do they work in it. The overlaps show who holds several roles, where roles blur and where conflict or silence is most likely.

What the family gets
  • One picture of every role around the business
  • The people who hold several roles, and the gaps
  • A short note on risks, and who needs more clarity
  • The forums the family may need: council, owners’ meeting or board
Step by step

How it works

  1. List

    Family, owners, staff, directors and key advisers.

  2. Place

    Family? Owner? Works in it? One circle, an overlap or the centre.

  3. Reflect

    Multiple roles, gaps and likely friction.

  4. Forums

    Who needs which conversation, and where.

Illustrative sample

A worked example, using the Hartley family

The Hartley business before the 2024 sale

Illustrative sample
FAMILYOWNERSHIPBUSINESSJames · Sophie · TomFamily onlyRichardMargaretFamily · ownerswork in itMinorityinvestorGeneral managerand staff
  • Several roles

    Richard and Margaret were family, owners and managers at once.

  • The gap

    The children had no view into the business they stood to inherit.

  • Likely friction

    The minority investor and the family had no shared forum.

  • Forums needed

    A family council and an owners’ meeting

The Hartley family is fictional and all figures are illustrative. This material is general information only and is not personal financial, tax or legal advice.

Where it’s used

See it

WEALTH PICTURE

Not used at this stage.

Solve it

BUSINESS AND SUCCESSION · TOTAL WEALTH ASSESSMENT

For any family that owns a business.

Run it

PRIVATE OFFICE

The forums it points to are run by the office, if the family chooses.