Business owners have a lot of information at their fingertips. There are calculators and assessments available for just about every aspect of your business and personal situation. As a result, many business owners think they have an accurate idea about the value of their business. They may even think they have an idea of whereRead more about Identifying “The Gap”[…]

Global economic disruption uniquely affects each business. Whether you are being hit with a hammer or expect to suffer a slow burn, your reaction to changes and proactive planning will play a major role in how your future unfolds. Signals indicate that once we start to get COVID-19 under control, the world economy will beginRead more about Realistic Timelines[…]

In times of great uncertainty or disruption, some business owners will panic and bury their heads in the sand. Some will sit tight and wait for things to settle down. But others will try to create opportunity and future growth. Which will you be? We’re here to help you be the latter. Minimize Tax ExposureRead more about Growing Business Value When Times Are Tough[…]

Sometimes when planning the next chapter in your life, the most important people somehow feel left out. Deciding to transition out of ownership of your business is one of the most important decisions a business owner can make, so it only makes sense to include your loved ones in that planning. How Will Your SpouseRead more about Does Your Spouse Feel Left Out of Key Business Decisions?[…]

All business partnerships eventually come to an end when one or more partners leave the business, whether by choice or otherwise. Being prepared for the end of the partnership decreases the possibility of unwanted challenges between co-owners down the road. Common Reasons Why Partnerships End Co-owners share a unique relationship. They have built a companyRead more about Smoothing Out Friction Between Business Owners[…]

Most business owners are considering several options for the future of the ownership of their businesses. If you’re keeping your options open, that is typical. But business owners who end up selling their businesses to an outside, unrelated buyer often report that they wish they had known more about what the sale process would beRead more about How to Be Sure You Are Leaving Your Business in Good Hands[…]

As a business owner, you make decisions constantly that you believe will reduce your risk and/or improve your business outcomes. There are countless ways to do this. In this article, we’ll present ways to leverage your internal strengths to reduce risk and improve business outcomes. We’ll also show you how these strategies can affect yourRead more about Strategies for Reducing Risk and Improving Outcomes[…]

Many business owners support their families through their businesses. If something were to happen to you, such as a sudden death or permanent incapacitation, it may affect both your business and the lifestyles of the people who rely on you. Here are three things you should consider when planning for the future success of yourRead more about 3 Ways to Position Yourself and Your Family for Future Success[…]

Planning for a successful business future is an exercise in foresight and commitment. Without foresight, it may be difficult for you to determine what success means to you. Without commitment, even the best-laid plans will fall by the wayside. For everyone involved in the process of planning for a successful future, defining your goals isRead more about Why Defining Goals Is Important and How to Do It[…]

Many business owners love the companies they’ve founded, whether it’s because of the work they do, the changes they effect, the money their companies provide, or something else. When you carve out a comfort zone within your business, you might question why you would want to plan for your business exit. Today, we’ll look atRead more about If You Love What You Do, Why Should You Make Plans to Leave?[…]

Building business value is a common goal among business owners. Many successful small business owners find that after years of growth, the company can begin to plateau. It can be frustrating if you and your longtime managers realize that all of the things that grew the business in the past aren’t doing the trick anymore.Read more about Must You Fire Your Managers to Grow the Business?[…]

Business valuations are important to successful planning. They tell you what your business is worth to a potential buyer. Though business valuations seem simple on the surface, even the smartest and most successful business owners can misinterpret their importance. Business valuations generally tell you two things. First, they tell you whether you can sell orRead more about What You May Get Wrong About Business Valuations[…]

When many business owners first think about their business futures, their first question is, “Whom am I going to sell this business to once it’s my time to leave it?” It makes sense for owners to ask this question first, since the answer to that question can guide how their futures look. But this isRead more about Optionality and Your Plans for Your Business Future[…]

When we talk about planning for the future, we often talk creating a plan. The idea of creating something as big as a plan for the future can imply a ton of from-scratch work (as is often the case), which can cause you to want to put that ton of work off to another day.Read more about Shaping Your Plans for a Successful Future[…]

Many business owners believe they have plenty of time to create a successful plan for the future of their businesses. Most commonly, owners think that if they give themselves a few years, they can transform their businesses into whatever they need them to be: whether that means bigger, more valuable, or more easily sold/transferred. AndRead more about Successful Planning Starts Much Earlier Than You Think[…]