Family businesses do not think in quarters but in generations: Sivakumar Sundaram, CEO (Publishing), BCCL

Family-owned enterprises remain the backbone of India's economy, contributing more than 75% to the country's GDP while consistently outperforming their peers, Sivakumar Sundaram, CEO (Publishing), BCCL, said at The Economic Times Family Business Awards.

Welcoming industry leaders to the event, Sundaram said family businesses have been the foundation of India's corporate success long before the startup era. Built on trust, reputation and long-term stewardship, they have weathered wars, economic upheavals and technological disruption while continuing to create value, generate employment and drive the country's growth.

"Real value creation for India Inc has come from family businesses," he said.


Highlighting their enduring strength, Sundaram said family-run enterprises contribute more than 75% to India's GDP and deliver shareholder returns that are nearly twice those of other companies.

"Family businesses do something no business school can teach. They do not think in quarters. They think in generations," he said. "They treat a company not as an asset to be sold, but as a trust to be handed on to the next generation."

He said this long-term perspective and patience distinguish family enterprises and explain why they have remained resilient across generations.