Carlson: Succession Planning in a Pinch | businessweek.com

The hospitality and travel company hadn't anticipated going outside the family for a new CEO, so there were no Plan B candidates for the top job. Family-run businesses usually have the benefit of a clearly defined succession plan: When Mom or Dad retires, their child assumes the top job after being groomed for it for years. But what happens when the next-in-line clearly isn't right for the role?