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Who's The Boss? Helping family business handle office politics.

By Lynn Beresford

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

The Curtis family, like any other, has its ups and downs.Sibling rivalry rears its ugly head every now and then, and Mom andDad don't always see eye to eye. The Curtises also run a smallbusiness, and this makes their interpersonal relationships all themore important . . . and complicated. And while the Curtises arefictional characters, their story--told in the interactive CD-ROMmovie "A Matter of Time"--can help real-life familybusinesses contend with the unique issues they face.

Created by MassMutual: The Blue Chip Company, "A Matter ofTime" doesn't profess to know all the answers, but it doesoffer several solutions to issues family businesses face, includingestate and strategic planning, leadership development, andcompensation and performance. (Plus, the movie contains some prettyengaging scenes, especially the harrowing episodes where nonfamilyemployees get caught in the middle of family disputes.) Users canchoose from different scenarios, which are then played out, orclick on characters to see what they're really thinking.

"Family businesses tend to be successful, but they have aheck of a time moving from one generation of management andownership to the next," says Peter O'Neil withSpringfield, Massachusetts-based MassMutual. With more than 12million family-owned businesses in the United States, "AMatter of Time" is more than good drama--it's a valuabletool for family businesses. Contact your local MassMutual officefor more information.