Engagement Process
How Magnolia Path Consulting Group structures succession planning engagements — from initial enquiry through scoping, delivery, and follow-up for family businesses in Taiwan.
Every family arrives with different urgency, complexity, and history. Our engagement process is designed to establish fit and scope before any commitment, then deliver structured outcomes without unnecessary bureaucracy.
Introductory conversation
You contact us by form, email, or phone. Within two business days, a member of our team schedules a 45-minute confidential call or office meeting. We ask about your business sector, ownership structure, family members involved, and what prompted you to reach out now. You ask us anything about our approach. Neither party is obligated to proceed further.
Scoping proposal
If both sides see potential fit, we issue a written proposal within five business days. It specifies the engagement type, participant list, timeline, deliverables, fees, and payment terms. For assessments and workshops, we include a draft interview schedule. You may request adjustments before signing.
Agreement and deposit
Engagements begin upon signed agreement and receipt of the deposit invoice (typically 50% for fixed-scope work). We assign a lead advisor and send preparation materials — usually a brief questionnaire for each participant and a document request list covering shareholder records, organisational charts, and any existing succession-related correspondence.
Discovery and delivery
The advisor conducts individual interviews before any group session. This sequence is non-negotiable: group meetings without prior individual conversations tend to rehearse existing positions rather than surface new information. Delivery follows the timeline in your proposal — report presentation, workshop facilitation, or coaching sessions as agreed.
Review and next steps
Every fixed-scope engagement ends with a review call two weeks after delivery. We ask what was useful, what was missing, and whether ongoing advisory support would add value. There is no pressure to continue. Retainer clients receive quarterly formal reviews with written progress notes against agreed milestones.
Coordination with your professional team
Throughout the engagement, we communicate with your lawyers, accountants, and other advisors only with your written permission. Our reports are designed to be handed to legal counsel for implementation — we mark sections that require specialist interpretation clearly.
Typical timelines
| Engagement type | From enquiry to start | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Readiness Assessment | 2–3 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Governance Workshop | 2–3 weeks | 3–4 weeks prep + 1 day |
| Transition Retainer | 1–2 weeks | 6–24 months |
| Next-Gen Coaching | 1 week | 3–12 months |
What to prepare
Before your introductory call, it helps to know: how many people hold equity, whether any succession conversations have happened before (formally or informally), your approximate timeline for transition, and whether any active disputes exist between family members. You do not need polished answers — rough honesty is more useful than prepared statements.