DES MOINES, IA - December 15, 2025 - Transition Point Business Advisors, guided by President Rena Striegel, has introduced a communication-focused program for family-owned farms that want to strengthen their working relationships before moving into a leadership transition. The program grew out of years of observing what actually derails succession: not legal paperwork, not financial planning, but long-standing communication habits that are rarely addressed directly.
A Closer Look at the Conversations Families Avoid
Families often assume they communicate well because they have spent years working alongside each other. Yet Striegel notes that the same patterns that once kept everyone comfortable can eventually limit open discussion. On many farms, disagreements are quietly ignored, assumptions take the place of real conversation, and expectations become more rigid as the business grows.
Striegel has spent much of her career sitting with families as they try to navigate these moments. Some speak in generalities to avoid tension. Others struggle to explain what they want for the future. A few discover that different generations have very different ideas about how the business should operate. These are the issues the new program is designed to help families work through in a structured and respectful way.
“Families carry the legacy of communication with them from generation to generation. If families want to succeed in passing their operation to the next generation, they must address the communication patterns that once kept the peace but now limit clarity, alignment, and decision-making in today’s business environment,” said Rena Striegel, President of Transition Point Business Advisors.
Moving from Habit to Intention
The program brings families through guided sessions where they learn how to talk about expectations, business goals, and leadership responsibilities in ways that feel honest and productive. Striegel often reminds families that communication is not only about resolving conflict. It is also about building shared understanding so that families can make decisions together without constant uncertainty.
Many farms entering a transition already have successors working full-time in the operation. They may be skilled, experienced, and committed, yet still unsure about their future role. Striegel’s work helps clarify what each person contributes and how leadership will evolve as the business grows.
Strengthening the Foundation Before Transition Begins
Families frequently seek help only after tensions rise. Striegel encourages them to begin the communication process earlier, when conversations can be more relaxed and collaborative. A clear communication structure often prevents repeated misunderstandings and helps families maintain healthier relationships during and after the transition.
By creating a dedicated space for dialogue, the program helps families understand how leadership change affects both daily operations and long-term planning. It also prepares each generation for steady, coordinated progress rather than reactive decision-making.
About Rena Striegel
Rena Striegel is a national succession planning strategist and the President of Transition Point Business Advisors. Originally from What Cheer, Iowa, she holds a BA from Central College in Pella, Iowa, and an MBA from the University of Iowa. With more than twenty years of experience working with multi-generational family businesses, she specializes in helping families strengthen communication, prepare future leaders, and create clarity during periods of transition. Striegel is recognized for her practical, relationship-centered approach to guiding families through one of the most complex phases of business ownership.
About Transition Point Business Advisors
Transition Point Business Advisors partners with agricultural and family-owned businesses across the United States to improve communication, strengthen leadership capacity, and support families as they plan for long-term business continuity.
Website: Transitionpointba.com
Instagram: Renaestriegel
YouTube: @TransitionPointBA
Media Contact
Company Name: Transition Point Business Advisors
Contact Person: Rena Striegel
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://transitionpointba.com
