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Exit Planning & Business Advisory
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$14 Trillion in wealth will potentially transfer to new owners in the next 15 years.
We say potentially because:
- 50% of owners unexpectedly leave their business...never to return...due to death, disability, divorce, despair, or disagreements.
- Only 30% of family-owned businesses actually transition to the 2nd generation and only 13% transition to the 3rd generation.
- SBA estimates that only 20% of businesses actually sell.
- Many of those that do sell must accept significant concessions demanded by the buyer.
We Want to Change the Outcome
SELLING isn't the same as a PLANNED EXIT. Selling is just a transaction: cash for keys! ForwardFocus exists to successfully guide business owners, their families, and stakeholders through transitions such as sales, mergers, acquisitions, successions, or transformations.
Our dual goal is:
1) to help privately held companies with revenue between $1 million and $75 million transition at higher value and higher multiples
2) to help owners prepare for their Life After Business.
Exit Planning
CrystalClear™ Exit Planning Process
Exit Planning isn't just something we do;
it is ALL that we do!
+ Understand your 3 Gaps: Wealth Gap, Profit Gap, Value Gap
+ Discover the "Real" Number vs the "Tax" Number
+ Uncover the 4 Intangible Capital Assets in your business
+ Become personally & financially prepared
+ Develop a plan for Life After the transaction
Exit Planning is simply a Good Business Strategy!
Business Advisory
FocusProcess™ and ForwardProgress™
The Action Arm of Exit Planning: Closing the Gaps
+ Goal Setting for Success
+ Determining "Grow or Go" near-term strategy
+ Preparing Personal and Financial plans
+ Preparing Business Improvement Plans
+ Protect & Build Value and De-Risking the Business
+ Assembling Business Proof
If the Business is not Ready to Grow, it is not Ready to Exit/Sell!
If You Aren't Ready to Grow--You Aren't Ready to Exit
Exit planning helps prepare Owners for the inevitable transition of their business. It is inevitable; 100% of Owners WILL exit their business whether it be a sale, family succession, or one of the 5-D's: death/disability/divorce/despair/disagreements. Yes, you Will exit, so it makes sense to be prepared long before the need arises.
A successful transition is on your terms, your timeline, and your price. To achieve this (we call it an Exit With Dignity) your business must be Attractive & Transferable. Buyers want to purchase assets that are prepared to grow. They don't want to invest additional capital into a business that isn't ready to grow. If they must invest to grow, their offer price will be much lower, if they make an offer at all.
An Attractive Business is one that is, among other things, capable of operating without the Owner, has a capable staff, strong financial history, and a loyal customer base. It also includes location and the general upkeep of the facilities. Above all, it must be enduringly profitable.
A Transferable business has several elements. First, the business itself must be ready for a transition. Second, the Owner must be ready for a transition.
An indication that a business is Transferable: strong Intangible Capital Assets (we call them the 4C's) Human Capital, Structural Capital, Social Capital, and Customer Capital. These elements account for 80%-90% of business value.
It may seem obvious that you, the Owner, are ready for a transition. In reality, many deals fall through at the last minute because the seller gets "cold feet" and walks away. Most often this is because the Owner doesn't know what will come next. To be ready for a transition an Owner must understand the transition process, have personal finances and estate matters in order, have contingency plans prepared, and have a Life After Business plan developed.
We can help you prepare an Attractive and Transferable business. Reach out today.
“When you have fully built, packaged, and deployed your 4 types of Intangible Capital your business has replaced you…and that is a good thing. In other words, your business has become transferrable. It’s not about you anymore; it’s about the Business. The Business is now the Product that you are selling.” —Chris Snider, CEO, The Exit Planning Institute
Qualified
The most recognized and prestigious credential in the world for anyone involved in Exit Planning. We are all certified professionals, and we only collaborate with certified professionals. This ensures the highest standards of quality and delivers the best results.
Experienced
We've been around the block a few times! Over 1,800 clients have worked with us to achieve their goals and dreams. We always appreciate our clients and treat each one as if our reputation depends on them: because It Does!
Understanding
We've owned small businesses in a wide variety of industries. We've walked in your shoes and understand the questions, concerns, and even fear that can plague an owner considering the sale of their largest single asset: Their Business
