David CiambellaAll Articles
Are You Financially Ready To Transition Your Business ?
Developing wealth independent from the business is paramount to an effective business transition. Most business owners reinvest their profits back into the business in an effort to provide working capital and grow the business. These are worthwhile business practices (in some cases, absolute necessities) especially when the business is relatively new and is expanding. However, it is important that over time you also work towards developing a pot of wealth independent from the business. Having peace of mind that your financial security is not dependent upon the future success of the business will enable you to be more prepared for [...]
How Does Credit Continuity Impact the Transition of My Business?
Did you say credit continuity? Absolutely! Just because your successor may have the same last name as you does not necessarily mean credit continuity is automatically transferable to your successor(s). Capital is the life blood of a business and oftentimes access to lending capability is predicated upon the financial backing of the current owner through personal guarantees. Credit continuity is not automatic. It must be achieved pragmatically and strategically over time. Depending upon economic conditions, credit continuity can be more challenging. For example, let’s examine the current state of the economy. Banks and other lending institutions are writing off significant [...]
Knowing Your Role and Playing Your Position
Football is one of my favorite sports and football season is one of my favorite times of year! It has been said that football is the ultimate team sport. Success on each play requires each player understand their role, work together, communicate effectively and ultimately execute to achieve the desired outcome. The teams that win consistently have committed players who know their role, play their position and trust their teammates will do the same each play. From my perspective, there is a striking parallel between football and family business. To successfully compete and operate a family-owned dealership or dealership group, [...]
You’ve Sold Your Business, Now What?
Recently I was invited to speak to a group of successful business owners about the various aspects of succession planning (what I refer to as the Succession Matrix). The Succession Matrix consists of ten interdependent factors that business owners must successfully address to improve the odds that their business will successfully make the transition to and through the next generation of owners and managers. Addressing these factors is important regardless of whether you plan to sell your business or plan to keep it in the family. Unfortunately, many franchisees and business owners are so busy “working IN their business” that [...]
Exit Strategy: When Should I Consider One?
Technically, the answer is before you even open your doors for business (why go anywhere without knowing how you are going to get back?). Now I know that is idealistic to many of you as survival is your highest priority. Let’s face it, succession planning is a subject many business owners would rather not face. However, I submit to you that the earlier you begin the process, the less stressful the transition will be for you and all parties who are touched in some way by your business (employees, community, vendors etc.). Whether you are 35 years old and bulletproof [...]
A New Frontier: Life After A Sale
Many of you have dedicated a significant part of your working life pursuing the American dream through business ownership. Some of you will pursue succession through family members or key executives and others believe a sale is the best exit strategy option. Selling your business is a viable succession option enabling you to harvest the fruits of your labor and investment as well as to take some chips off of the table. A few years ago, a successful client who is a franchisee in the Midwest chose to sell his business. I had the privilege of working with this couple [...]
