Article by Claire Heaney first appeared in the Herald Sun
Having worked through their own business succession plan, the Lombard family are enthusiastic about spreading the good word. “We ask many of our suppliers if they have a succession plan because we have realised that it is very important to our relationship,” Lombard — The Paper People marketing manager Anouk Lombard said.
The business was started by her grandfather in his Box Hill garage in 1967. It now boasts no fewer than six family members. Claude Lombard and his parents, Alexander and Madeline, started out selling bags. These days the business includes Claude, wife Susan, twin daughters Michelle and Danielle, Anouk and Michelle’s husband, Andrew Kevill.
They have 14 retail outlets.
Lombard’s success is based on packaging, party supplies and events like the AFL Grand Final.
Anouk Lombard said succession planning was sparked by the huge growth in the business. “We had to change our decision-making structure. It could not fall on one person anymore,” she said.
The family formed a board and included director John Downes in its meetings as a sounding board. Anouk Lombard said each family member had unique talents and they get along well. Michelle and Andrew worked elsewhere but joined the business as it escalated ahead of the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Ms Lombard said she was spurred into action after attending a course aimed at adding to company profitability.
“It motivated me to do a company business plan,” she said. Claude had one tucked away which, when revealed, they decided needed to be shared — with family and staff. She said her father, who now takes Fridays off, still steers the business but they had “tweaked” his vision.
