For many business owners, building their successful businesses began by accurately determining what they had. Whether their businesses provide products, services, or ideas, the success they experienced didn’t come to them blindly. It likely took years of refinement, study, and analysis to figure out the best way to establish and deliver the thing that makes the business successful. The same …
Setting Exit Goals for the New Year
With the new year upon us, many people have begun their journeys to fulfill their New Year’s resolutions. For business owners, it’s no different. Between creating goals for the business to achieve and assuring that the business keeps growing, owners will have much to consider this year. One of the goals most commonly shared by owners is to successfully exit …
Estate Planning: A Small Slice of a Bigger Pie
Business owners commonly associate Exit Planning with estate planning, and they aren’t too far off. Good Exit Plans and estate plans both aim to assure that the owner’s family is provided for after the owner is gone. Both an Exit Plan and an estate plan might address a transfer of ownership to an intended recipient following the death of the …
Exit Planning Versus Succession Planning
Managing Director Fred Hess on Exit Planning vs. Succession Planning: In the emerging field of Exit Planning for business owners, the terminology can be a little confusing. Many people believe that Succession Planning is the same as Exit Planning, but it is not. Either plan starts from the perspective of the business owner’s goals and objectives. It addresses a wide …
Business Continuity Instructions: Guiding Your Family, Even After Death
As owners approach their business exits, one topic that’s often overlooked is unexpected death or permanent incapacitation. One reason owners gloss over this topic is because it injects an uncontrollable element into a controlled process. Many successful business owners take pride in the control they have over guiding their businesses toward success, so the idea that all of that hard …
What Could Go Wrong When Transferring Ownership to Employees?
We often hear owners say they want to transfer their businesses to third-party buyers when they first encounter the concept of Exit Planning. However, we’ve observed that in many completed Exit Plans, owners actually choose to transfer their businesses to employees. Some reasons for this decision include employees knowing the culture and values of the business, a desire to keep the business with people …
Avoiding Unwanted Surprises
For some business owners, a third-party sale is their best option for a successful business exit. Third-party sales are popular because owners often believe they can get the most money from their businesses in as little time as possible from a third-party buyer. They might be right. But what they may not consider is how little control they have over …
For Business Exits, Being Inconsequential Is of Great Consequence
It’s likely that few people, if any, have ever told you, “You need to make yourself less important,” regarding your business. But sophisticated buyers look for businesses that can operate without their owners. Unless your goal is to sell or transfer your business, and then stay with the business as a subordinate to assure a smooth transition, you’ll need to …
Fred Hess Joins Affinity Ventures as Managing Director-Exit Planning and Value Building
Fred is the Managing Director of Affinity Ventures Exit Planning and Value Building Practice. Fred is an Advanced Exit Planner, providing comprehensive Exit Planning services to privately held business owners. He is a management professional with over thirty years of broad-based, international experience developing growth and profitability for leading firms. He has extensive experience in operations, strategic planning, team building, …
Why Setting Goals Is Important, Even If They Change
Setting goals is critically important to owners who begin Exit Planning. Without goals, even the strongest processes fail, because they have no purpose to work toward. Your goals are what guide your process toward a successful exit, and without them, you’ll find yourself spinning your wheels in the mud of indecision. While setting goals is the most important thing you …