You’ve worked hard to build your business, it has become your passion. You’ve put countless hours, blood, sweat, and tears into it, and you’ve become successful. However, a sad reality is that one day you will no longer be around. So what happens to your business then? It’s not something we like to think about and it’s often overlooked. But succession planning is so important to ensure that your business can continue to thrive long after you’re gone. In this blog, we explore what happens to your business when you die.

Although the Este Lauder family is not like most small businesses we can learn from the succession planning challenges.

Who Will Own Your Business When You Di?

The first thing you need to consider is who will take over your business when you’re gone. Will it be your children, other family members, or a trusted employee? It’s important to have these discussions early on, to make sure everyone is aware of your wishes, and so you can start grooming a successor. A well-planned succession can help to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and can help to maintain the culture and values of your business.

Sell Your Business

If you don’t have a successor in mind, you may want to consider selling your business. This can be a way to ensure that the time and effort you’ve put in building your business is realized, and you’ll be able to leave a legacy behind for your loved ones. Selling a business can be a lengthy and complicated process, so it’s important to have a solid exit strategy in place.

Retirement

Another option to consider is retirement. You may want to continue to earn residual income from your business even after you’re no longer actively involved. In this case, you could delegate the day-to-day running of the business to a manager or trusted employee, while still retaining ownership. This can be a good way to maintain your income stream while being able to enjoy a slower pace of life.

It’s also essential to consider the impact on your employees. After all, they too rely on the business for their livelihood. It’s important to have a plan in place to ensure that they will be taken care of, whether this means transferring ownership to them, selling the business, or providing other benefits such as severance pay.

Top Tips To Consider when Succession Planning

1. Identifying a successor: It is crucial to identify a capable individual who can carry on your business when you’re gone. This could be a family member, trusted employee or an outsider.
2. Training: Your successor will need adequate training and mentoring before they can take over. This process should ideally start years before you plan to retire.
3. Timing: Determining the right timing for the transition is crucial. It should neither be too soon nor too late.
4. Financial considerations: It’s important to evaluate the financial impact of your departure on the business.
5. Legal matters: Ensure that all legal aspects of the transfer are taken care of. This can include changes in ownership structure, contracts, etc.
6. Communication: Clear and timely communication with all stakeholders including employees, customers, and suppliers is key.
7. Exit strategy: If there is no clear successor, an exit strategy needs to be planned, such as selling or merging the business.
8. Continuity plan: Ensure that the business can continue to operate smoothly during the transition period.
9. Impact on employees: Plan for the welfare of your employees. Ensure that they are taken care of during the transition.
10. Retirement income: Consider how you will maintain an income stream after stepping down. This might involve retaining a part of the business or setting up a pension plan.

In conclusion, succession planning is critical to ensure that your business can thrive after you’re gone. It’s important to have these discussions early on and to have a solid plan in place. Whether you plan to pass the business on to your children or other family members, sell the business, or retire and earn residual income, it’s important to consider the impact on your employees and to ensure they are taken care of. It’s never too early to start succession planning, so take the time to put a plan in place, and give yourself peace of mind knowing that your business will be in good hands long after you’re gone.

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