Please rate how important each issue is to you.(0 = NA, 1 = Not Important, 2 = Somewhat Important, 3 = Important, 4 = Very Important, 5 = Critical)
Please rate how important each issue is to you.(0 = NA, 1 = Not Important, 2 = Somewhat Important, 3 = Important, 4 = Very Important, 5 = Critical)
Best-of-the-best companies use a number of strategies to build value. Complete the questions below to compare your company to theirs.
Please rate how important each issue is to you.(0 = NA, 1 = Not Important, 2 = Somewhat Important, 3 = Important, 4 = Very Important, 5 = Critical)
Statement: Successful owners understand how to exploit their company's future business opportunities. They use written business plans to relentlessly pursue their goals and clearly communicate to all employees how their actions and responsibilities contribute to the company's performance.
Question:
Does your company have a similar approach or business plan?
Yes No
Statement: Owners of the best-of-the-best companies act swiftly minimize or eliminate the major threats and risks to their business. Threats include: loss of key employees, trade secrets, proprietary information/technology and key customers, as well as competitive risks arising from the development of new technologies.
Question:
Have you assessed and addressed all threats facing your company?
Yes No
Statement: Buyers look for and pay well for companies with motivated and longstanding key employees. Unless key employees are able to run the business without the owner, the company is neither sustainable nor saleable to a third-party buyer, to employees, or the owner's children.
Question:
Can your key management team run your company in your absence?
Yes No
Statement: Failing to anticipate the income tax consequences you will incur upon the sale of your company can result in a tax liability that will force you to stay at the helm years longer than you anticipated. Best-of-the-best company owners begin tax minimization planning years before they transfer or sell their ownership.
Question:
Have you done everything legally possible to minimize the taxes you'll pay when you leave your company?
Yes No
Statement: A key component in the success of any business is its development and use of efficient operating systems, processes and procedures such as: marketing, human resources, production, sales, lead generation, financial systems, and customer service. Without systems, a business cannot expand effectively and cannot operate without its owner.
Question:
Does your company have the systems necessary for a successor owner to operate it successfully?Yes No
Statement: Successful businesses are financially strong and their owners constantly monitor timely and accurate financial controls. Without controls and review it is impossible to maximize cash flow, minimize expenses, or develop and implement a plan to grow company value.
Question:
Do you understand and constantly use your company's financial information to improve performance and cash flow?
Yes No