Building Blocks of the Asset Allocation Puzzle
Family offices need a well-rounded and robust asset allocation strategy that meets both financial and non-financial objectives, securing wealth for future generations. This involves factoring in investment goals & objectives, risk tolerance, diversification, time horizon & liquidity needs, tax efficiency, estate planning and more.
Risk Management an Essential Pillar
The first objective of a family office is to preserve the principal sum at play and then look for how to gain in the future. This involves a strong risk management framework that doesn’t shake up with passing investment fads and reins in the proverbial fear-of-missing-out (FOMO). What processes need to be established right at the beginning to ensure this? How can family offices fine-tune their risk management practices over time?
Public vs Private: A Juggling Act
A well balanced portfolio creation is the basic function for family offices and this includes a good mix of both public and private equity, with their distinct advantages and challenges. What is the best composition of the two and how can family offices align best to sail with the asset price cycle to generate alpha in the short as well as the long run?
Familiarity Bias: Boon or Baggage
Principals behind all family offices are associated with at least one industry of their own with many having multiple business interests. Some family offices have a clear policy of not investing in sectors where they have their own business to add a sound diversified portfolio creation. How effective is this strategy and are their exceptions that one should exploit? Are there other means to play further in the same sector via a different asset class?
Touch of the Exotic: Dabbling into Art, Crypto
Exotic asset classes such as crypto, fine art and more offer family offices another diversification lever that lies outside the conventional investment buckets. These offer some insulation from global market fluctuations but come with their own loaded risk elements such as illiquidity, valuation challenges, and regulatory uncertainty. What has been the experience with such investments and what are the learnings? When is it prudent to look at such assets more closely?
Real Assets as the Evergreen Favourite
Real estate has been an all-time favourite of business groups in India as a safe haven as an asset class with the ‘touch and feel’ factor. There have been some temporary setbacks in the past but broadly real estate has been an important asset class for family offices that has resulted in appreciation of wealth. How have real estate investment strategies evolved for family offices and what routes seem more favourable for the future?
Engagement Quotient with Next Gen
The first generation of family offices started with group finance heads doubling as asset allocators as principals were operational leaders in their domain. But ‘formal’ family offices started with creation of professional structures around two decades ago. Now, we have omni structures as in many cases more financially literate next generation is engaged in decision making along with the professionals. How can family offices balance the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders so the final outcome is superior?
Giving Back: Philanthropy to do Good
Philanthropy is an increasingly important aspect of family offices, serving as a way for families to align their wealth with their values and make a lasting social impact. Family offices often establish charitable foundations to facilitate their philanthropic efforts, allowing them to support causes that resonate with the family’s mission. This can include areas like education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and social justice. What is the right mode to make this happen and yet make it a more tax efficient process? How important is the role of partnerships in philanthropy activities?
Refuelling the Engine
Family offices can start with a big bucket corpus triggered by a business sale or via a small sum dedicated from the cash flow arising from dividend earnings of the promoters. Reinvesting the proceeds of the gains is another way to inject more into the system. How often the corpus can and should be refuelled? What is the best practice used by established family offices by routing almost the entire sum to the family office or a fixed proportion every year?
Concierge Services an Evolving Discipline Beyond Asset Management
The role of a family office goes beyond traditional wealth management by offering personalized, day-to-day support. This can include managing travel arrangements, organizing events, assisting with household management, and facilitating access to exclusive services or experiences. It enhances the family’s lifestyle by saving time and ensuring that their needs are met with a high level of attention to detail. How are existing family offices imbibing this as a service and enhancing their offerings?
Confidante and the Thread Connecting Family Members
Conflict resolution is crucial in family offices, especially when managing wealth across multiple generations and extended families. Family dynamics can lead to disagreements on investment strategies, governance, or the family’s philanthropic direction. Professional mediators or advisors specializing in family business or wealth management are often brought in to help resolve disputes, promote effective communication, and maintain family harmony. Establishing clear governance structures and facilitating open dialogue can prevent potential conflicts from escalating, ensuring the long-term success of the family office.