Tag Archives: leadership

Quality of Earnings Part 2: Hidden Expenses

In my last post we discussed quality of earnings audits from a revenue perspective. Customer concentration, marginal lines of business and contracts are the three most common revenue traps. If you are comfortable with your company’s strength and stability as … Continue reading

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Quality of Earnings Part 1: Revenue Traps

This will be the first of several columns on quality of earnings. While a formal, third-party Quality of Earnings Study is more often seen in mid-market transactions, even small business owners should be aware of the factors that can cause … Continue reading

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After the Exit; “Nothing Will Change”

“Nothing will change.” It is almost de rigueur for an acquirer to include that in his or her opening comments to the incumbent staff of a just-purchased business. Sometimes it is the seller’s attempt at making folks feel better. “Don’t … Continue reading

Posted in Building Value, Exit Options, Exit Planning, Exit Strategies, Leadership, Life After, Management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

3 Responses to After the Exit; “Nothing Will Change”

  1. John Hyman says:

    Yeah, and I promise to spend the night! This is a terrific observation and the counsel to be upfront and smooth the anxiety is spot on.

  2. Marsha Kelly says:

    You tell the truth. Things should change when a business is sold so it can grow on to new heights, in new and different ways. http://best4businesses.com/legal/legalzoom-referral-code-review/

  3. Bob D says:

    Nothing will change is the worst statement! Everything changes! It changed so much that I was obsolete after a year staying on!

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Exiting a Family Business: Three Questions

Transitioning a Family Business has special issues. This interview was reprinted last week in the newsletter of Steven Bankler, CPA. We asked San Antonio business consultant John F. Dini, one of the nation’s leading experts on business ownership and exit … Continue reading

Posted in Exit Options, Exit Planning, Exit Strategies, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

3 Responses to Exiting a Family Business: Three Questions

  1. David Basri says:

    I have read these columns for years. Enough with the exit planning already. Most of us are out here trying to succeed, not leave,

    • John F. Dini says:

      Thanks David. I know you’ve been a loyal reader for years, and I appreciate your comments. They’ve always been well-considered and erudite, if not necessarily in agreement with mine!

      I guess you missed my post on February 12th. I read somewhere that “A particular strength is using a variety of technologies to bring separate systems together into a coherent solution.” In my case, I was fielding requests for articles and speaking on multiple topics, blogging on a variety of subjects, developing planning tools for advisors and consulting on ownership transitions. Too much work for diffused results. It was time to get focused.

      I’d hate to lose you, but exit planning is what it’s gonna be…

  2. Ron Bento says:

    Wow – good article and good comments in response. Exit planning is very similar to planning a football game. One can not just field a team and see what happens if the intent is to win. One must anticipate the opponent. Plan and execute a play script at the start to see if your player skill and play strategy can adequately defeat, and with how much difficulty. Personally, I really enjoy reading about exiting regularly because it is practice. I remember Coach Lombardi mostly for saying, “It is not practice that makes perfect – it is perfect practice that makes perfect.” This is how we succeed today – by anticipation of and preparation for the leave.

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Business isn’t Zero Sum

In any negotiation, you can assume a win-win solution or a zero sum outcome. “Win-win” is defined as when both parties come out ahead or achieve what they seek. “Zero sum” is when the premise behind negotiation is that whatever one … Continue reading

Posted in Entrepreneurship, Management, Thoughts and Opinions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

One Response to Business isn’t Zero Sum

  1. Mike Wright says:

    Very good points. Unfortunately we have become very short term and self centered thinkers. Those with the greatest economic or political power will do what is necessary to gain and retain their control. This creates sub-optimal binary states that we fluctuate between rather than making long term gains for all.

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