Exit Planning Resources

+ Business Valuation – 5 Reasons Why It’s Important

Few business owners relish spending money on something they don’t need. And for most owners, hiring an expert to estimate the value of their companies falls into that don’t-need category. Before you join these owners and scratch “Business Valuation” from your list, consider the five reasons discussed in this white paper that demonstrate the importance of placing “Estimate of Value” at the top of your exit planning list.

+ Business Growth by Acquisition

Increasing the size of your business is often a goal before your exit as business owner. This white paper explains how the acquisition of other companies can help you realize the intended growth before the sale or transition of your company.

+ Top 10 Deal Pitfalls

Many deals fall flat due to pitfalls that can be tied back to common owner failures. This white paper describes 10 deal pitfalls to avoid in the exit planning process. Avoiding these pitfalls will allow a smooth exit on your terms.

+ Exit Paths for Business Owners

When owners think about exiting their companies, the number of exit routes might seem unending. In fact, there are only eight. This white paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each one. Most importantly, it describes a process that enables owners to choose the best exit path for them.

+ Leaving Your Business is Inevitable

At some point, every owner leaves his or her business – voluntarily or otherwise. This issue discusses the proven Seven-Step Exit Planning Process™ designed to achieve an owner’s financial and other goals.

+ C vs. S Corporation

Should your business income be taxed to the business (C corporation) or to you directly (S corporations)? As a new business owner, you may not have given much thought to minimizing your business taxes because there was little income to be taxed. Now that you are ready to plan your exit, the stakes have changed. This white paper sheds light on the consequences – harmful and beneficial – arising from your choice of business entity.

+ Business Continuity Planning

Business continuity is a means of handling a variety of transfer events and their related consequences that impacts the business and the remaining or new owner when the original owner leaves. This white paper discusses those transfer events and associated problems and how they relate to the business, the other owners (if any), and – sometimes – the family, and it proposes solutions to each of these problems.

+ Employee Incentive Planning

Motivated employees will grow your business value and stay with your company when you leave. When your employees achieve set incentive goals, you can simultaneously achieve your Exit Planning goals. This white paper describes the characteristics and benefits of, as well as how to achieve, a well-designed key employee incentive program that will increase your financial security and transferable value.

+ Using Short-term Key Employee Incentives to Increase Sale Price

As a business owner, you want the sale of your company to yield the highest possible price. Attracting, motivating and retaining key employees is a critical part of your financial success in exiting your company. This white paper discusses the use of short-term employee incentive plans to provide a substantial benefit, in a short amount of time, that will keep those key employees in place as contributing members of your company working to increase your business value.

+ Value Drivers

Did you ever wonder why one business has buyers lined up willing to pay top dollar while another sits on the market for months, or even years? It comes down to the Value Drivers, the key characteristics that reduce the risk of owning the business or enhance the business’s potential for future growth. This white paper discusses key Value Drivers common to all businesses including the management team, business systems, customer base, facilities and equipment, business strategy, and the financial controls.

+ Transferring Your Company to Key Employees

Selling your business to management (key employees) often presents a standard issue: insufficient cash for buy-out. This white paper discusses the options available for transfer, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and the associated planning necessary to reduce the risk of nonpayment.

+ Transferring Wealth to Children

How much wealth do you want to keep? How much wealth do you want the kids to have? How much is too much? What tools minimize the Estate and Gift Tax consequences if transferring wealth? These are all fundamental questions during the exit planning required before transferring your business to your children. This white paper discusses these questions in detail while outlining a three-part process to complete your successful transfer of wealth.

+ Headwinds

Headwinds increase the difficulty of any task at hand. There are three significant headwinds faced by the modern-day business owner in exit planning: our flat economy, the tax bill due upon the sale of a business, and the long-term investment climate. This white paper discusses these difficulties in selling a business and actions you can take to minimize the effects of these headwinds.

+ ESOP Opportunities

You may not be interested in finding a third-party buyer for your business. Have you considered an employee benefit based on the performance of company stock? This white paper discusses the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and how this tool allows business owners to provide partial or full liquidity for existing shareholders; leave the business gradually; provide employees with a stake in the future growth of the business; and keep the business in the community.

+ Successful Transfer to the Family Business

When is the right time for me to transfer? How do I know my successor(s) is prepared for the responsibility? How will the transfer be fair when multiple children are involved? These are all fundamental questions during the exit planning required to successfully transfer ownership of the family business to the next generation. This white paper discusses the reasons and realities behind the step multiple children are involved? These are all fundamental questions during the exit planning required to successfully transfer ownership of the family business to the next generation. This is needed to ensure a successful transfer of the family business.

+ Setting Goals

Exiting your business requires setting and following through with smart business goals. These goals are generally based within three categories: foundational goals, universal goals, and values-based goals. This white paper discusses these goal types and their importance in your exiting process.