The Exit-Planning Imperative
With more than half of U.S. businesses owned by Baby Boomers preparing to transition, the need for effective exit planning has never been greater. Yet, according to multiple industry studies (BizBuySell, IBBA Market Pulse, U.S. Chamber of Commerce), only about 20–30% of businesses that go to market actually sell successfully — leaving most owners without a clear path forward.
Advisors who understand how to help owners build transferable value can dramatically change that trajectory. The International Exit Planning Association (IEPA) has spent nearly two decades developing frameworks, tools, and education that help advisors guide owners through this process — from readiness assessment to transition execution.
Turning Knowledge into Practice
Within the IEPA network, advisors collaborate to apply structured tools and proven processes that make exit planning tangible in day-to-day advisory work. This shared environment brings together real-world experience, continuing education, and access to data-driven resources designed to move planning from concept to implementation.
Core frameworks and shared resources include:
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Proprietary Diagnostic Tools: The Business Exit Readiness Index™ (BERI), Owner Dependence Index™ (ODI), and Growth Planning Index™ (GPI) — surveys that quantify an owner’s goals, readiness, and business-dependence factors.
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Advisory Frameworks & Templates: Exit-plan outlines, client-engagement materials, and practice-development guides that help standardize and scale delivery.
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Collaborative Network: Cross-disciplinary knowledge sharing between valuation experts, M&A professionals, wealth managers, and attorneys.
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Continuing Education: Regular discussion calls, case studies, and conferences exploring what’s working in the field and where opportunities exist for improvement.
Collectively, advisors in the IEPA community have developed hundreds of exit plans and helped guide billions in private business value toward liquidity.
Using Data to Engage Owners
A distinctive strength of this approach is the use of data-driven diagnostics to create more meaningful conversations with business owners.
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Business Exit Readiness Index (BERI): Measures an owner’s financial and psychological readiness to exit. In one study of more than 2,400 owners, 83% scored low on mental readiness — often lacking written plans, identified successors, or operational depth.
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Owner Dependence Index (ODI): Evaluates how reliant the business is on the owner’s direct involvement, helping advisors identify and reduce risks to transferability.
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Growth Planning Index (GPI): Highlights the owner’s approach to value creation and growth, clarifying where focus and capital can best drive enterprise value.
These surveys transform subjective perceptions into measurable insights, enabling advisors to guide owners toward targeted actions that improve both value and readiness.
The CBEC® Designation: Applied Expertise in Action
For advisors seeking to formalize their exit-planning capability, the Certified Business Exit Consultant (CBEC®) program provides a rigorous, practice-based credential. Participants complete a comprehensive exit plan for a real client, applying frameworks across twelve core domains — including valuation, growth strategy, succession, and deal structure.
CBEC® advisors demonstrate not only technical knowledge but also the ability to integrate multiple disciplines into one actionable plan — a skillset increasingly valued by owners and advisory firms alike.
Continuing the Conversation
Exit planning represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the advisory profession. By sharing frameworks, data, and lessons from practice, our goal at the IEPA is to elevate the collective standard of exit-planning excellence and improve owner outcomes industry-wide.
I would love to discuss this further, you can Book meeting or email me directly if you’re interested in learning more about The IEPA at Jarrad@theiepa.com