Purpose after the sale is one of the biggest challenges for an exiting owner. Purpose – “Having as one’s intention or objective.” Many exit planning advisors discuss the three legs of the exit planning stool – business readiness, financial readiness … Continue reading → The post Purpose After the Sale appeared first on Awake at Read more about Purpose After the Sale[…]

In our last article about life after the sale we discussed identity. Even when business owners are comfortable with who they are, however, there is still the nuts and bolts issue of activity. A business owner spends 20, 30, or … Continue reading → The post Personal Vision – Life After the Sale Part 2 Read more about Personal Vision – Life After the Sale Part 2[…]

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 … Continue reading → The post Personal Vision – Life After the Sale Part I Read more about Personal Vision – Life After the Sale Part I[…]

Since 2013 I’ve updated this piece about the underappreciated and forgotten boss of A Christmas Carol, Mr. Fezziwig. I hope that you enjoy it. The post Celebrating Mr. Fezziwig appeared first on Awake at 2 o’clock?.

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 … Continue reading → The post Exit Planning – Lifestyle and Legacy appeared first on Read more about Exit Planning – Lifestyle and Legacy[…]

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 … Continue reading → The post Stakeholders in Exit Planning appeared first on Awake at Read more about Stakeholders in Exit Planning[…]

The road less traveled is often a misimpression when considering a transition from business ownership. Surveys show that roughly 85% of owners expect their exit to happen via a sale of the business to a third party. A third-party sale … Continue reading → The post Exit Strategies – The Road Less Traveled appeared first Read more about Exit Strategies – The Road Less Traveled[…]

Is there an AI role in Exit Planning? The media is packed with stories about Artificial Intelligence. According to the stories, because a smart search engine (which is essentially what a Learning Language Model [LLM] is,) can pass a Bar … Continue reading → The post The AI role in Exit Planning appeared first on Read more about The AI role in Exit Planning[…]

Delegation and depth are critical when presenting your business as a buying opportunity. For many business owners, exit planning means getting the company ready for sale to a third party. There are a number of approaches to enhancing preparedness for … Continue reading → The post Delegation and Depth – Company Readiness for Exit appeared Read more about Delegation and Depth – Company Readiness for Exit[…]

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 … Continue reading → The post The Role of a Coach in Exit Planning appeared Read more about The Role of a Coach in Exit Planning[…]