Do you have a succession plan for your business?
Bonnie Guillou - Sep 26, 2022
A succession plan would detail the business owner’s desires with respect to the management of the business and the disposition of their shares. This is very important because business owners devote a significant amount of time, energy and, in most cases, their own money to building their business. If you’re contemplating a sale to a third party or a transition to family or employees, setting goals, having a vision and developing a formalized business succession plan are critical for success. A succession plan would also be useful as a contingency plan in the event of premature death, divorce, disability, disenchantment. Under some of these events the business owner is not able to manage the affairs of the business or lead the process for transitioning. |
BMO’s Succession Planning Roadmap
Assess personal and family needs, goals and vision for the business. The business owner and their family would review/establish all of their objectives in terms of retirement, working, business ownership, wealth transfer, etc. By establishing clear objectives, decisions become much clearer. | Value will drive the asking price, the income tax plan, any corporate reorganization plan, and the estate plan. Knowing the value will help with option development and choosing the right option. |
For business owners, the company is their most important asset, requiring thoughtful consideration and planning with respect to the next generation who, may or may not, carry on the family business. Whether the company is retained within the family, expanded by acquisition or sold to a third party, proper planning will ensure that the family’s goals and objectives can be met.
What to ask yourself?
• Where do I see myself, the family, the business in 5 or 10 years?
• How am I going to be able to have more time away from the business?
• How much is the business worth? What are the value drivers for the business?
• Can the next generation grow the business or is it best to sell the business?
• What would happen if I couldn’t get into the business for 12 weeks?