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One of the most common concerns I hear about retirement is the fear of being bored.  Given the weeks, months, and years ahead that need to be filled with something other than your job, it’s understandable.  To make matters worse, many of us know a relative or friend who was aimless and miserable in retirement….

Defining the role of a coach on your exit planning team doesn’t just happen. Like any other aspect of working with consultants, you need to set expectations upfront. Many advisors like to characterize themselves as the “quarterback” of a transition planning team. I’ve always objected to that. We regard the business owner as the quarterback…

Link to register.  Please indicate that Mark Gross invited you. https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M3HItgtJRS2sCTy_bUWBvw Tuesday, December 5, 2023. 10-11:30 AM Central. Multiple attendees from one firm can attend but in order to receive CPE credits, each one needs to register separately and join on their own separate devices. Take a deep dive into the following topics. PADs. Partial…

  In Rev. Proc. 2023-29, recently issued by the Internal Revenue Service, the affordability percentage for Affordable Care Act plans has been set at 8.39% beginning in 2024. This marks a significant decrease from the previous 9.12% applicable for 2023. This is the lowest percentage since the inception of the employer mandate which means these…

I get this question a lot in M&A. The purchase price of a business can have a number elements: 1. down payment (cash equity from the buyer) 2. bank financing 3. seller’s note 4. installment sale 5. earn-out 6. commissions on future sales 7. consulting agreement for the seller, post-acquisition Earn-out’s, commissions and consulting agreements…

We have been asked to explain our product and services on multiple occasions.  For those interested, you may find this episode to be a good listen, as it fully explores our services and how our involvement can significantly benefit your client. While this particular episode deals with land sales, the concept is universal to the…

Delegation and depth are critical when presenting your business as a buying opportunity. For many business owners, exit planning means getting the company ready for sale to a third party. There are a number of approaches to enhancing preparedness for a third-party sale. Assessing Readiness Some planning software products begin with a comprehensive survey of…

Your best competitive advantage is your people. But are you truly empowering your team to drive sustainable growth? As a strategic workforce planning and onboarding expert, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to align your employees’ strengths and passions with well-defined roles. This not only boosts employee ROI and retention but also unlocks innovation…

  The 2023 Sales Dilemma Susan Powers, Peak Sales/Sandler   Salespeople have never had a greater advantage and opportunity than they do today. They can secure even greater advantages and opportunities with each passing day. That’s because artificial intelligence, machine learning, and technology continue to make advancements that help salespeople develop closer and stronger relationships…

Business owners are increasingly considering their timelines and options for a business transition. Consistent with prior years, that transition event is frequently a sale due to supply and demand factors. The majority of businesses are owned by baby boomers who are rapidly approaching the age of retirement. A financial crisis and pandemic in the last…

In a recent case, a marijuana dispensary was forced to bargain with the Union even though the Union was not elected by the employees. The case demonstrates the consequences of unfair labor practices and the government’s new, lower threshold for giving unions the right to represent workers. Background The case involves allegations that the Company,…

  Earlier this month, New York became the latest state to ban mandatory captive audience meetings when Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Senate Bill 4982 and Assembly Bill 6604, amending New York Labor Law Section 201-d (“NYLL 201-d”). The new law prohibits New York employers from requiring employees to attend any company meeting having the…

When preparing for the transfer of a business, there are many stakeholders who can impact your plan. Some have direct authority or decision-making capability over the transaction, but others may have substantial influence. In general, it’s best to presume that anyone who has a relationship with the owner or the business will have some impact…

Program produced by XPX South Florida. The current temporarily high $12.92 million estate and gift tax exemption will “Sunset” on December 31, 2025. Starting January 1, 2026, the exemption is expected to return to approximately $7 million. The loss of approximately $6 million in exemption can result in an additional estate tax in excess of…

Do you want to get rich quickly? Very simple: Buy a business for its actual value, and sell it back right away for what the business owner values it. Many business owners overvalue their own business (after all, isn’t your business the most beautiful baby in the world?). What do you need to pay attention to…

This past month, in Stericycle, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced a new amorphous legal standard it will use to judge whether union-free employer’s rules and policies are lawful under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”). The Stericycle approach dispensed the categorical approach which identified certain policies as always being lawful. Now every policy…

That is a question many businesses have faced over the years. Today, there are businesses that saw big increases in sales during the early days of the pandemic (2020 – 2021), but 2022 softened and 2023 seems kind of flat. This is especially true in many retail businesses “selling things”. Why? Because many consumers switched…

I believe one of the most understood transition /exit planning areas for business owners is when the goal is to move it to children, or other close family members. Clients for whatever reason often think moving their business to a child or multiple heirs is just about creating an agreement, maybe including a trust, figure…

“Opinions are like boats on the sea of knowledge; while they can guide us, it is important to navigate with caution and consider multiple perspectives.” Are you in the process of evaluating or updating your current website? If so, you’ll soon be drowning in stakeholder feedback. When conducting a site evaluation and content review, it’s…

In my work with family-owned businesses and various enterprises, I’ve observed a recurring theme: the unexpected pitfalls during the acquisition process. And let me tell you, nothing derails a potential deal faster than financial surprises. So, how do you ensure transparency and trust from both sides of the table? The answer lies in a Quality…

Selling a small business can be tough.  One of the biggest obstacles to a successful business transfer is the lack of a strong team.  Without a competent and reliable team buyers may hesitate to invest in the business.  Owners should focus on building a workforce structure that can help drive the business forward.  Potential buyers…

If you have ever traveled on the subway in London or the train system in England, I am sure you have heard the phrase “Mind the Gap” numerous times. “Mind the Gap” is the British version of the American admonishment “Watch Your Step.” The wording of the English warning was created in the late 1960s…

By Jeffrey Appleman Manufacturers are focused on sales—not cost or profit. If they were keen on net income, manufacturers would know one key data point: contribution margin. Once you know it, the possibilities are endless for growth, sustainability and efficiency. In effect, a contribution margin is the percentage of revenue that remains after you pay…

When considering religious accommodation, employers have enjoyed great latitude with accepting or rejecting requested religious accommodations. This was thanks in large part to the Supreme Court’s 1977 ruling in Trans World Airlines, Inc. v. Hardison, which held an employer need only show it would bear more than a “de minimis” cost/effort to demonstrate that a religious…

By Tim Jung As CFO, you have 60 months before the private equity firm sells your company again. And the newly installed CEO doesn’t like the company’s reports. Maybe the reporting isn’t timely or lacks the right numbers. Maybe it doesn’t tell a story from the progress that has been made, how you’re going to…

Exit strategy planning is an essential part of any business owner’s long-term strategy. Whether you’re planning to sell your business, retire, or pass it on to the next generation, the key to a successful exit is maximizing the value of your business. One critical factor in determining the value of a business is human capital….

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