subject: Family Businesses Have The Dna To Survive [print this page] Building a small business is no small task. It takes diligence, perseverance, and endless hours of hard work and sacrifice. This amazing effort deserves the opportunity to continue to grow and thrive. The best way to guarantee this continuation is to plan for it, just like all the other details involved in building the business. A succession plan is key to preparing you, your successor, and the company for many more years of prosperity.
Succession planning is the process that allows a company's leader to train the next in line. It involves a few key steps that are enacted over the course of several years. Small business experts recommend a succession plan begin fifteen years before retirement. This may seem extreme, but it is never too early to plan for the future. The time frame allows for plenty of time to choose, train and release the successor into the complete role as company leader.
The first step is to choose the person to follow your goal for the company. Once that person is done, a solid training plan should be devised to help develop his knowledge and full understanding of every aspect of the company. This plan should have a set time frame that marks each stage, its completion, and the resulting responsibility.
Partial retirement should begin early and gradually, as the successor takes on more of the role of leader. This eases everyone into the change and allows for a smoother transition. Once the successor has taken on most of the new position and the comfort level is high, retirement becomes complete and official. You can enjoy this new stage of your life knowing the company that has been your baby is well cared for.
The idea of a succession plan is particularly important for family run businesses. Many major companies that have remained managed by family members such as WalMart, BMW and Estee Lauder. They all started out as small businesses that strongly endure to this day. Their success lies in their long term plans to maintain strong family leadership.
Family businesses are often stronger than others because of their ability to make quick, consistent decisions that do not have to be presented to multiple layers of management and board members. However, this strength is only accomplished if each leader has successfully transferred the goals and dreams for the company and created a bond between each successor and the rest of the company. A succession plan can effectively transfer the knowledge, vision and bond from one leader to the next.
Planning for succession and retirement can seem like a daunting task, especially while still building and running your company. A small business consultant can be a key player in an easy and well organized process. A consultant can absorb the responsibility and will be viewed as a more objective decision maker. He will also manage each step, including organization and time management, which keeps you and your small business from slowing down.
A small business is successful when it stays one step ahead of the others. Being prepared for each step keeps a company moving forward, while never wavering from the company goals. A succession plan is the only way to effectively prepare for retirement and the successful continuation of your company's vision.
by: Nick Messe
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
