Entrepreneurs are optimists. They have to be; they have to believe that their brilliant idea is going to work or happen. When it works, it is going to get even better and better still.

Never in their wildest dreams are they mortal and never in their wildest dreams do they stop to think about the future after they have gone. It is here and now and not tomorrow. The business is their baby and they want to see it grow.

As they say, Tax and Death are the two certainties in life. So at some point, the founder, the family and the business need to think about succession planning.

"60-70% OF ALL FAMILY BUSINESSES THAT LOSE A FOUNDER TO RETIREMENT OR DEATH ARE SOLD OR LIQUIDATED"

I am a great advocate of 'Sunrise to Sunset but stop at tea time.' Why?

In a first generation single or majority owned business especially, it leaves time in the founder's life to do two things:

  • Pursue other hobbies or interests
  • Act as mentor and guide to the second generation to ensure that the succession works. 

Staying on until they carry you out is not the greatest strategy. Nor is just walking out leaving a new team to grapple with the complexities of the business.

In many cases, the leadership and ownership will move from a single autocratic structure to a sibling democracy. It could be the first time the siblings have ever worked together. Some might be interested in the firm and have worked in the business and some might have never crossed the threshold, shown no interest and live a million miles away from the company. 

Bedding in a team of new owners takes time and needs to be handled carefully. 

"SHIRTSLEEVES TO SHIRTSLEEVES IN THREE GENERATIONS"

Succession is not a one-day ceremony. It is a much slower protracted process that maintains the stability of the business while embedding the new owners and maybe managers of the business.

Sometimes it can leave the Founder with the dilemmas of whom to choose. This is often called Sophie's Choice.

We work with Families and Corporates on their succession planning to achieve a high-quality solution that everybody can live with and accepts. 

Nobody said succession was smooth and nobody stated that succession necessarily leads to success. What we do know is that Succession is a necessity.