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Strategy is a crucial area of focus, but one area that’s often overlooked is planning for an unforeseen event. For example, what would happen to your business—and your family—in the event of your premature death or disability? How can you ensure a successful ownership transition and protect your family in the event of such an occurrence? One way is to have a buy-sell agreement in place.

In most facets of life, we tend to associate risk with downsides: the risk of injury from slipping on ice; the risk of perishing in a plane crash; the risk of property damage from a flood. Risk, simply put, is something to be avoided. As investors, however, risk is something to be actively, yet intelligently, pursued. Striking the right balance of specific risk exposures—with the goal of increasing returns, both at the asset class and overall portfolio levels—can not only mean increased returns in favorable environments, but also limited losses during unfavorable ones.

In the introductory paper, Risk Management: The Intelligent Pursuit of Risk, it provided a glimpse of the qualifying framework of striking the right balance of specific risk exposures—with the goal of increasing returns. It was used to ask (1) Are risk factors consistent with the fund or strategy’s mandate? (2) Is their presence intentional? (3) Do they represent excessive exposures?

Rising interest rates late in 2016 took a toll on bond prices, and were the catalyst for one of the worst quarters for bonds in recent decades. Current expectations are for interest rates to move gradually higher in 2017. While rising rates can be a headwind to bond performance in the near term, they don’t impact the coupon rate or cash flow associated with most bonds over time. Over the long-term, higher yields are actually a positive for investors.

The start of the year is always a good time to focus on personal improvements with resolutions. Sharing in the same spirit with an investment outlook in mind, there are ten temptations to resist in 2017, including resisting the macro and political developments, investing while looking through the rearview mirror, and sticking with a strategy designed to work only in a falling rate environment.

Given the expectation for the U.S. economy to grow at a modest pace for the eighth year in a row, the risk of the U.S. economy or inflation becoming “overheated” in 2017 remains low. The Fed will likely move the federal funds rate higher twice in 2017, once in the first half and again late in the year. There are still important headwinds to consider, like a stronger dollar that will hamper trade for large multinational companies and continued geopolitical risk.

The disruptive political events and social unrest of 2016 may pose significant operational and strategic risk for businesses. With events at the ballot box and on the streets exposing flaws in the systems of liberalism and globalization, business leaders must think differently about priorities and risk management practices.

Lawsuit awards can be incredibly high, and individuals known to have substantial assets are particularly vulnerable. In some cases, the high-stake lawsuits can cause devastating reputational damage. Given the risks and exposure, the need for holistic liability protection is an important issue. Learn the different types of liability insurance available and how to address some of the most common sources of risk, including board membership and social media and online activity.

Enterprising families are showing an increased interest in participating in direct investments around the globe. Some families have turned to private equity out of frustration with the volatility in the public markets and the unexpected correlations between asset classes that occurred during the 2008-2010 timeframe. The factors that impact their private equity portfolios’ success are complex in nature, and there are 15 key considerations that inform families’ preferences for private investments, and, ultimately, impact how well they will do.

We are all inspired by successful entrepreneurs, whether they be technological innovators, social problem solvers like Blake Mycoskie, or even entertainers like YoYo Ma, who redefined the world’s perception of a classical musician. Entrepreneurs are celebrated for universally admired qualities: ingenuity, passion, resilience, and grit. Entrepreneurship helps families build human capital, strengthen family bonds, and prepare future generations to dream big, to innovate, and to conquer every challenge in their path.