next step Archives - Your ExitMap

Owner Obstacles to an Exit Plan

John F. Dini — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 14:41:40 +0000

Owner obstacles to the implementation of an exit plan are often unconscious, but they can be dramatic. Their attachment to the business can be difficult to break. An advisor spends a lot of time and energy developing the vision for life after ownership in the hopes that it is far more attractive to them than their current role in the business. Yet no matter how well developed that vision is, or how well defined the action steps are, it isn’t unusual to find owners who behave in a way that ultimately sabotages the plan. Sometimes their actions are even intentional, but more often they aren’t. ... Read more

The post Owner Obstacles to an Exit Plan appeared first on Your ExitMap.

What’s Your Purpose in Retirement?

Steven Zeller — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 23:16:28 +0000

Retirement can be an exciting milestone. It’s also a major lifestyle change. Oftentimes, your daily workday tasks (professionally or if you run your own business) will likely no longer exist. Transitioning into retirement for some is an easy process. Perhaps their profession is not their absolute passion, and they always had other pursuits and hobbies they are ready to explore once exiting from their day job. But for others, their profession or business is their passion. They put all their time and energy into it and are dedicated to their profession for many years. Now suddenly, retirement is on the horizon and work is coming ... Read more

The post What’s Your Purpose in Retirement? appeared first on Your ExitMap.

Do You Suffer From Decision Addiction?

John F. Dini — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 14:24:47 +0000

Do you suffer from decision addiction? The typical business owner lives on dopamine. According to WebMD: Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter. Your body makes it, and your nervous system uses it to send messages between nerve cells. That’s why it’s sometimes called a chemical messenger. Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It’s a big part of our uniquely human ability to think and plan. Feeling the Rush That’s what business owners do; think and plan. Their lives are a chain of thought processes that go “What if I do this? How will it affect the business? Then what would I do ... Read more

The post Do You Suffer From Decision Addiction? appeared first on Your ExitMap.

A Hazy Crystal Ball is Better than a Rearview Mirror

Corby Megorden — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 22:58:54 +0000

Several years ago, I did a cross-country trip with my family. We laid out a rough plan of what we wanted to see, how long it’d take, and most importantly, what we wanted to eat! When we hit the road, I did not drive looking primarily in the rearview mirror, with an occasional glance at the gas gauge and the road signs. I looked ahead and tweaked the plan. Yet, that is often how business owners run their businesses. Often, this year’s business planning consists of, “let’s do what we did last year – just more of it.” We look at whether we have cash ... Read more

The post A Hazy Crystal Ball is Better than a Rearview Mirror appeared first on Your ExitMap.

Die at Your Desk or Go Golfing?

Corby Megorden — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 19:07:40 +0000

Die at Your Desk or Go Golfing? The truth of the matter is, every small business owner will eventually transition from the business. While most have spent much time working in the business, and at times on the business, they have not given much thought to what to do after the business. Whether you love your work so much that you would be happy to die at your desk, or you would like to devote much more time to your golf game, every small business owner needs to consider how they plan to exit. And planning has significant benefits. The Business Enterprise Institute defines three ... Read more

The post Die at Your Desk or Go Golfing? appeared first on Your ExitMap.

Main Street Business: The Importance of a Written Exit Plan

Steven Douglas — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 18:46:06 +0000

When planning for a vacation, do you typically jump in the car and just start driving without first determining where you are going? No, of course not. You plan out where you want to go, when you want to leave, what activities you want to do on the trip, and so forth. You create a plan to make sure that you know where you are going and what you are going to be doing. The same principle applies to business owners when transitioning from their Main Street and Mid-Market businesses. Without an exit plan in place, the odds of reaching your end goal are extremely ... Read more

The post Main Street Business: The Importance of a Written Exit Plan appeared first on Your ExitMap.

Business Succession Planning Is There Life After Death?

Mark C. Hegstrom — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 22:44:33 +0000

Consider this scenario: You’re part owner of a thriving small- to medium-sized business. You handle certain key responsibilities and rely on your partner to handle others. While your partner is away on business, the phone rings. The shaky voice at the other end of the line informs you that your partner has been fatally injured in a car accident. You’re grief-stricken. At the same time, you realize many people—you, your family, your partner’s family, your employees, customers, and creditors—depend on the uninterrupted continuation of your business. You know you should have planned for this. . .but you just never found the time. What If I ... Read more

The post Business Succession Planning Is There Life After Death? appeared first on Your ExitMap.

Are You Prepared for the Next Stage of Your Business?

John Kohler — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 20:15:32 +0000

You’re a successful business owner who’s devoted all your time and effort to growing your company to be a best-in-class provider in the industry. With your head down so long, you’ve probably never thought about what you were going to do as you approached the next stage of life. Planning for that next stage before you actually get there can help solve many of the problems today’s business owners often face following an exit transaction. It may sound great to play golf every day, or to sit at the lake and fish, but does that replace the daily rush you had while operating your business? ... Read more

The post Are You Prepared for the Next Stage of Your Business? appeared first on Your ExitMap.