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Creative Business Strategies, Inc., offers a free electronic newsletter, The Exit Planning Review™, through BEI. Devoid of advertising, The Exit Planning Review™ is specifically designed to help owners plan a successful exit from their companies. In addition to The Seven Steps of Exit Planning™, topics include ESOPs, family succession planning, wealth preservation planning and various tax issues.

Please review our back issues and if you would like a complimentary subscription to The Exit Planning Review™ please click here.

Intro 1 - Why Exit Planning?
This issue of The Exit Planning Review™ and every subsequent issue will encourage you to work on—not in—your business. Your education about the Exit Planning process begins now. Proper knowledge and preparation can mean millions of dollars to you when you ultimately leave your company.

Intro 2 - Exit Planning: Step One
“When a man does not know which harbor he is heading for, no wind is the right wind.” So said Seneca almost 2,000 years ago. Today, speaking to business owners he would likely say, "Exit Planning for business owners must start with knowing your exit goals and objectives; otherwise, failure is most likely inevitable."

Intro 3 - Exit Planning: Step Two
For many owners, the answer to one question determines their eagerness and ability to leave their companies: "How much is my business worth?" This question is indeed critical and answering it is the second step of your seven-step Exit Plan.

Intro 4 - Exit Planning: Step Three
What are Value Drivers? And why are they so important to you and your company? Value Drivers are the various characteristics of a business that professional buy-out experts believe drive business value upward and for which they are willing to pay top dollar. It is vital for you to know what these value drivers are if you want to successfully exit your business.

Intro 5 - Exit Planning: Step Four
What is a good way for you to get top dollar for your business? First, your business should be sold to an outside third party, not to an insider such as a child, key employee or co-owner. For outside third parties typically have the cash and the ability to pay a higher earnings multiple for your business.

Intro 6 - Exit Planning: Step Five
How do you successfully transfer your business to a child, key employee or co-owner? I feel the most successful method is to follow a recipe which mixes, in equal measure, three key ingredients:

Intro 7 - Exit Planning: Step Six
There is nothing worse for a business than to have its owner suddenly die ...especially if it's your business. Let's look at what can happen when an owner dies.

Intro 8 - Exit Planning: Step Seven
The last step in your Exit Plan is Wealth Preservation Planning. But that doesn’t mean you should wait until you are out of the business to begin actively preserving your wealth. In fact, if you wait until the value of your business is converted to cash, it's too late to realize all of the benefits of wealth preservation. The most significant and powerful claimant to your wealth is the IRS—especially in the estate tax arena.

Issue 9 - Why Business Owners Fail to Plan

Issue 10 - Transfers to Insiders

Issue 11 - Exit Opportunity for Business Owners

Issue 12 - Sole Owner Continuity Plan

Issue 13 - Former Business Owner Express No Regrets

Issue 14 - Protecting Assets

Issue 15 - Transfer Your Business and Avoid the Deal Killer: Taxes

Issue 16 - Finding The Right Advisor

Issue 17 - Bonus Incentive Plans for Key Employees

Issue 18 - Characteristics Of Successful Employee Bonus Plans

Issue 19 - Vesting - Handcuffing Key Employees To Your Company

Issue 20 - Getting Started In The Exit Planning Process

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The Exit Planning Review newsletters are believed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. The information contained is provided by Business Enterprise Institute (BEI) which is solely responsible for its content. These are provided with the understanding that Principal Life, Princor or Creative Business Strategies, Inc. are not rendering legal, accounting or tax advice. In specific cases, Clients should consult their legal, accounting or tax advisors. BEI is not an affiliate of Creative Business Strategies, Inc. or any member company of the Principal Financial Group.

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Insurance products from the Principal Financial Group® are issued by Principal National Life Insurance Company (except in New York), Principal Life Insurance Company and the companies available through the Preferred Product Network, Inc. Securities and advisory products offered through Princor Financial Services Corporation, 800-247-1737, member SIPC. Mark Gerber and Jim Morrison, Sr. Financial Representatives, Princor Registered Representatives, Financial Advisors. Principal National, Principal Life, the Preferred Product Network, and Princor® are members of Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA 50392. Creative Business Strategies Inc. is not an affiliate of any company of the Principal Financial Group.

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