Business PerspectivesEbenezer Wasn't the Only Boss Each year I reprint a post from 2013 about the underappreciated boss of A Christmas Carol, Mr. Fezziwig. I hope that you enjoy it. Merry Christmas! This week was the 177th anniversary of the publication of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas … Read More » COVID Fatigue Unites Business Owners Dealing with COVID fatigue unites business owners. If that sounds strange to you, let me make my case. I’m not doing this to whine, but I want business owners who don’t have an existing support structure to know that they … Read More » School Daze and Business Owners “School Daze” is more than an old Spike Lee movie. It’s the latest “COVID-19 gift” as one of my clients facetiously refers to ancillary issues created by the pandemic. As employers, we are watching and waiting to see what new … Read More » |
Exit PlanningPersonal Vision - Life After the Sale Part I Life after the sale is often both the most important and most neglected factor in exit planning. Although (according to two different surveys in 2013 and 2022,) 75% of owners report regrets or unhappiness a year after the transition, exit … Read More » Exit Planning - Lifestyle and Legacy Lifestyle and Legacy are two very different types of owner transition objectives. When we ask a client “What do you expect as a result of our exit planning?” the answer may be about the money, the time frame, or the … Read More » Stakeholders in Exit Planning When preparing for the transfer of a business, there are many stakeholders who can impact your plan. Some have direct authority or decision-making capability over the transaction, but others may have substantial influence. In general, it’s best to presume that … Read More » |
Managing EmployeesThe Role of a Coach in Exit Planning Defining the role of a coach on your exit planning team doesn’t just happen. Like any other aspect of working with consultants, you need to set expectations upfront. Many advisors like to characterize themselves as the “quarterback” of a transition … Read More » Impressions of Value in Exit Planning Business owners, advisors, and buyers frequently have widely different impressions of value when it comes to a business. The Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Survey canvasses intermediaries who sell privately held Main Street and mid-market companies. One question is about the … Read More » "Work From Anywhere" Comes Full Circle Work from anywhere was initially a boon for many employees. Now employers are catching up. Read More » |
Marketing and SalesExiting a "Time and Place" Business “The purpose of middlemen in the marketplace is to provide time and place utility.” I remember the light bulb going on in Economics 101 when my professor said that. Suddenly, I understood the concept of added value. Someone had to get the … Read More » How Much Does that Gorilla Weigh? How much does that (fill in your preferred number here) pound gorilla weigh? I always refer to an 800 pound gorilla, but I’ve heard others use everything from a 400 pound gorilla (which is pretty close to their real size) to … Read More » Good Customers Can Be Bad When can good customers be bad? What could be wrong with a customer who buys a lot, pays promptly, and never has a service problem? They might be buying too much. No matter how strong or comfortable a sales relationship is, … Read More » |