Are you like many business owners?

A majority of closely held and family owned businesses will change hands within the next five years1; but
Many Business Owners may not have taken active steps to transition out of ownership.

Again, if you are like many of our readers, the reasons for failing to plan may be:

You may have simply been [...]

If there is no one to buy your business, you shut it down. In a liquidation you sell off your assets, collect your accounts receivables, pay of outstanding debt, and keep what’s left, if anything for yourself.
The primary reason to consider liquidation is that a business lacks sufficient income producing capacity apart from the direct [...]

One of the advantages of having other owners in your business is that they can be your means to retirement.  A common retirement planning technique is to take on a younger minority partner while you are still active. Upon your retirement, the younger owner will purchase your remaining stock.
This can be advantageous because the younger [...]

Stephen owned a successful health care business in the San Francisco Bay Area. He knew the time had come to transfer ownership of his business. He had started the company over 25 years ago, had poured his energy, talent and money into it and was proud of its success. Stephen had two sons working in [...]

We talked about the importance of determining your departure objectives as a first step to leaving your business under most favorable conditions. One of the goals outlined was deciding to whom you will transfer the business: children or family members; key employees; co-owners; or a third party known or unknown.
It is important to appreciate the [...]

 
What exactly is a Business Exit Plan and how do you create one that allows you to leave your business in style. There are an infinite variety of businesses and business owners. Each owner’s exact Exit Plan will vary, yet most all contain common elements. 
The following questions will serve as a framework to develop a Business Exit Plan. [...]