Survey Reveals Almost Half of Small Business Owners Plan to Exit Within the Next Five Years

by Laurie Barkman | Jan 10, 2021 | All Blog Articles, Exit Value, Sell or Transition Your Business

Analysis from The Value Builder System shows entrepreneurs’ changing attitudes around exit planning as a result of COVID-19. This pessimism seems to be impacting business owners’ future plans for their exit. Traditionally, many small businesses have been passed...

EBITDA calculator

by Laurie Barkman | Dec 16, 2020 | All Blog Articles, Buying a Business, Exit Value, Sell or Transition Your Business

Calculate your EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization): Earnings Before Interest Taxes Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) is a measure of profitability that excludes expense items that are determined by your financing strategies...

3 Things to Consider When You Hit “The Freedom Point”

by Laurie Barkman | Dec 3, 2020 | All Blog Articles, Exit Value, Sell or Transition Your Business

When was the last time you calculated the percentage of your net worth tied to your company’s value? When you started your business, its value was probably negligible. Unless you purchased or inherited your company, it wasn’t worth much when you opened your doors, but...

Why Now is the Perfect Time For Your Business To Rediscover Its Entrepreneurial Roots (yes, really!)

by Laurie Barkman | Nov 4, 2020 | All Blog Articles, Innovative Growth, Sell or Transition Your Business, Strategic Planning

If you’re leading a mature, multi-generational company, you might be wondering how to innovate. Take notes from a startup expert. When you think of innovative companies, you might think of an industry leader like Apple or a fast-growing rocketship like Airbnb or...

Quotable quotes

by Laurie Barkman | Oct 28, 2020 | All Blog Articles, Sell or Transition Your Business

Guests on The Succession Stories Podcast share their favorite quotes about entrepreneurship and leadership with Laurie Barkman. “If you think you know what you’re doing today wait for tomorrow.” ― Beth Armknecht Miller | Episode 36 “In...

Efficiency or Innovation? Balance Both to Emerge as a Leader Post-Recession

by Laurie Barkman | Jul 10, 2020 | All Blog Articles, Exit Value, Innovative Growth, Strategic Planning

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed nearly every aspect of how we work, create value, and serve customers. Many CEOs and business owners face important choices around short term decisions while trying to look forward to a better future. A June 2020 McKinsey study,...