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Exit Planning Articles by John F. Dini, CBEC, CExP, CEPA
John F. Dini, CBEC, CExP, CEPAPresident, MPN Incorporated
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John F. Dini develops transition and succession strategies that allow business owners to exit their companies on their own schedule, with the proceeds they seek and complete control over the process. He takes a coaching approach to client engagements, focusing on helping owners of companies with $1M to $250M in revenue achieve both their desired lifestyles and legacies.
Recent Articles posted by John F. Dini
| Recent Articles posted by John F. Dini |
Exit Planning in a Crisis Why would you be exit planning in a crisis? At the height of the economic expansion (a few months ago in late 2019) I was reviewing a company’s financial statements. Their sales were stagnant, and profits were minimal. When I asked the owner why his business hadn’t grown, he responded, “Well, the Great Recession hit our industry pretty hard, you know.” Take note that it wasn’t his fault. He was in a hard-hit industry, and the economy dealt him a bad hand. He ignored the thousands of businesses just like his that had grown and prospered in the last ten years. Once you hunker down ... Read more Quarterbacking is Not Exit Planning Quarterbacking is a popular term when exit planners are talking to clients. It’s supposed to invoke a vision of someone who is in control. Think about a Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes standing tall in the pocket, surveying the offense and defense unfolding before him. There is a real problem with using “Quarterbacking” when referring to your exit planning professional team. The quarterback calls the plays. The job of the rest of the team is to run them as instructed. I’ve yet to meet a CPA or attorney who thinks that is the best way to develop a client’s exit plan. Teamwork Exit ... Read more Baby Boomers' Influence - Still Strong There is ample evidence in the marketplace that Baby Boomers’ influence is still powerful. From walk-in tubs to stand-up bikes, and from pharmaceutical commercials to river cruises, Boomer tastes are catered to in every market. We all know the sterotypes of the “typical” Boomer. Goal oriented, workaholic, spendthrift, and oriented towards accumulating material evidence of their achievements. They identify work and position with their value in society. We have also discussed often in this space the issues of employers who have to replace the corporate knowledge base of retiring Boomers. Clearly, one way to keep the economy moving upwards is to encourage Boomers to work ... Read more Why Plan Now? Exit Planning for Small Business Owners ask all the time, “Why Plan Now?” “I’m not planning to leave my business for years. I feel good, and I still enjoy my business. I’m not sure what else I would do. Besides, if my company is only going to sell for two or three times earnings, I can make more than that by sticking around.” All are valid arguments. Baby Boomers, the youngest of whom turned 55 this year, are working longer and are more active well into their 60s and often into their 70s. The term “next career” describes the growing portion of the population who are choosing another full-time activity ... Read more Selling to Employees: Exit Planning for Small Business Part 4 Selling to employees is one method of transition that is growing rapidly in popularity. Usually the driving motivation is a desire to help the people who got you this far enjoy some of the benefits of ownership, but there is a substantial list of other benefits. Pricing is agreed at the start, not in adversarial negotiations. Valuation is flexible. The business can be sold for more or less than its Fair Market Value, as long as both sides agree and cash flow supports it. The legacy of the business lives on in the community. Where there are substantial challenges to an outside buyer, such as ... Read more |