Situation: The CEO of a company has a niece working in the company on a project basis. The niece is has helped to develop a strategic plan and has performed well. She now wants to move from part-time to full-time and to receive a raise. Does it make sense to promote a relative?

Advice from the CEOs:

• If you are pleased with the individual’s work, don’t worry about the family relationship – go ahead and hire her. This is especially true if she can play a significant role developing the strategic plan and help you to improve your sales organization.
• Give this individual a set of responsibilities, a budget, and a time line to do the jobs you want done.
  Evaluate her performance just as you would any other employee. Don’t compromise your standards for a relative.
• This may offer the opportunity to improve your sales. Have your niece work and travel with your sales people as a systems engineer. This will allow her the opportunity to learn your products, customers, and process – and will provide you with valuable input on how your sales team is performing.
• You are really addressing two problems:
  • What is your niece’s passion? Don’t make work for her simply because she’s related and available. The work must serve your and the company’s needs.
  • Do you have holes in your business? Put your best people on these If your niece is one of these people, then give her a chance but don’t play favorites.

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