The Importance Of A Strong Business Succession Plan

Prepare for the future now. A strong business succession strategy means ensuring that a company operates to its full potential even once the original leaders have left. Protecting your legacy means planning ahead.

Protect your business by planning your exit strategy now. Learn about succession planning and how to maximize the benefits for your company.

Why You Need A Business Succession Plan

Whether you’re in the early stages of developing your business or are thinking about winding down, there’s no better time than the present to start the succession planning process.

While it’s true that most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t put a lot of thought into the end of their career from the get-go, failing to have a well thought-out exit strategy has the potential to cause significant complications down the road.

Preparing For Your Company’s Future

Think of succession planning as a long-term insurance plan. Even if you’re decades away from selling your business or handing over the reins to a family member, an exit strategy helps ensure that your best interests are protected and that you’re ready for the unexpected.

Some of the key reasons to begin succession planning early include:

  • Planning for unforeseen circumstances such as illness, death, or changes in partnership
  • Protecting your company’s vision
  • Finding and training the right people to assume a leadership position
  • Preparing for the legal, financial, and tax implications associated with the sale or transfer of your business
  • Creating goals and objectives to work towards before you transition away from your company

Your Succession Strategy Options

Depending on the size and nature of your company, you have several options to consider when planning your exit strategy. In some cases, the succession is straightforward whereas other business owners may find themselves unsure as to how they want to proceed.

When determining how you intend to exit your company, consider the following:

  • Do you have children or other relatives who may be poised to take over? If so, transferring your business to a family member could be the strategy that works best for you.
  • If you have a business partner, do they intend to stay on longer than you do? You may have the option to sell to a partner, helping to ensure that your company’s best interests are protected by someone who understands its inner workings.
  • If you have developed a strong team, you may want to consider selling to an existing employee.
  • For some business leaders, the best way to exit is to find the right buyer and sell the business to a third party.

Getting The Right Support

Regardless of which exit strategy you choose, you need the right help to implement it. While some of the decisions can only be made by you, there are important aspects of the process that would best benefit from professional support. From working with an accountant to ensure that you have your financial affairs in order to getting help from an experienced business lawyer, knowing that you have a strong team on your side matters.

You put a lot of time and effort into building your business and supporting its growth. Taking the time to create a strong business succession plan helps ensure your company’s continued success long after you’ve left the scene.