Business schools are capitalizing on the coming generational wealth transfer by launching executive courses for wealthy families. Programs like IMD's five-day, $15,244 "Leading Your Family Business" course attract participants from business-owning dynasties seeking guidance on succession and governance. These programs target families managing complex ownership structures as they prepare to pass trillions to the next generation.

With an estimated $83 trillion set to change hands over two decades according to UBS, business schools are encroaching on territory traditionally dominated by private banks and wealth advisers. Columbia Business School has expanded its family enterprise offerings, while SDA Bocconi provides specialized programs for different generations. Schools position themselves as independent experts leveraging academic research.

Participants often arrive focused on practical business concerns but discover the critical issues are personal family dynamics. Matthew Crudgington at IMD notes students frequently come with strategies but conclude that "it's all about communication." This soft skills focus distinguishes academic programs from purely financial advice offered by institutions like Lombard Odier and Pictet Wealth Management.