There has been a proliferation of programmes aimed at helping family businesses improve their planning, management and communication. In 2009, SMU started a family business course for its undergraduates, with around 50 students enrolled each year. Next year, SMU's newly launched Business Families Institute (BFI) will begin programmes for family business members and their advisers. SMU has tried to stand out from the crowd by bringing in external faculty, family business leaders and advisers to co-teach its programmes, said BFI Director Elaine Tan.