The Family Business Center at the University of New Hampshire has put together “Nine Helpful Steps Toward Succession in a Family Owned Business:” You will notice that all of the steps' major components are “human capital” issues. These steps are valid for family owned business but most are also valid for any closely held business. [...]
The New Year always gives us a sense of renewal and focus. It provides us with a time, albeit frenzied, to reflect on what happened last year and what we can do to improve upon our performance, our systems, and our “working on our businesses” as opposed to “working in them.” Many times, when we [...]
My good friend and fellow Certified Business Exit Consultant Kevin Kennedy has a great way to describe exit and succession planning: "Succession Planning is replacing yourself." "Exit Planning is replacing your income." Think about it! You, as a business owner can do one, both or neither. Please consider the consequences of having no exit and/or [...]
As one of the 22 million business owners in the United States, you are likely over 50 years old. According to a 2005 PriceWaterhouseCoopers survey of companies in the $5 million to $150 million of value range, there's a two in three chance that you plan to leave your company in the next 10 years. [...]
1. Focus on increasing cash flow 2. Develop operating systems that improve sustainability of cash flows 3. Improve facility appearance 4. Pay down debt 5. Document sustainability or earnings 6. Implement a strategy to grow the company 7. Build a strong management team and groom a successor
Can you hear the clock ticking? By the time you finish reading this sentence, a baby boomer business owner will have turned 65. By the time you finish reading this column, five more will have reached the traditional age of retirement. Those business owners probably have big dreams for retirement, such as moving to a [...]
A study by the Aberdeen group reported some fascinating findings that should lead proactive business leaders to look more deeply at the satisfaction and engagement levels of their employees. The top 20% of the companies in the study improved emoployee satisfaction by 22% and employee performance by 21%. The median companies improved satisfaction by 1.5% [...]
It isn't price first and foremost. It's basically 3 things - coming to grips with loss of control; the legacy issue where the owner knows the business is integral to the community; and a paternalistic feeling toward the employees - what's to become of all those families.
When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people. ~ Chinese Proverb Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning. ~ Thomas Edison Good plans shape good decisions. ~ Anonymous With an increasing number of owners of small and family [...]
In a recent study of over 1600 CEOs Vistage asked the question, "What is going to be your biggest priority to advance your business over the next three years?" The top three results ? Innovation in new products or services 35% Quality employees 27% Strong leadership 21% Given that the number one issue is innovation, [...]