The importance of deciding the owner's end-game so that the future vision is clear and the company balanced prior to the owner's retirement from active management. Every option works better with improved profitability, and knowledgeable management to implement the team's operational business plans. An outside facilitator's primary roles assisting the owner in building a workable plan.

2. How do you want your participation in your business to end?
• Pass on to relatives-create a retirement plan with your equity?
• Sell to a partner or management team?
• Sell to a new investor for BIG BUCKS?
• Create an ESOP-let employees buy business from you?
• Liquidate business and retire on that nest egg?

3. Know end-game before planning the future
Work back to the present, maximize Co. value

4. Many factors cause imbalance that management must cure
When you are seriously imbalanced, you can’t profitably grow
So, maintain reasonable balance as a key strategy for growth

5. • Maintain timely operating statements
• Monitor sales, variable costs, and fixed expenses
• Act fast to correct negative trends-protect profits
• Compute break-even point each period

6. Physical – Human - Financial

7. Marketing/Sales – Operations – Finance/Admin

8. Develop & communicate owner’s vision
What? With whom? In what way?
How far? How fast? In which direction?

9. Keep team informed of results
Communicate expectations
Keep team actively involved

10. • Management team must set action plans
• Outside facilitator brings a process and
helps implement the plan
• Three days delivers 1-2 year action plan!

11. For every end-game, you’ll need:
• Vision for the future
• Balanced company
Adequate resources
Mutually-supportive functions
• Knowledgeable, informed team
• Clear plan of action & improvement

12. Determine your end-game
Accelerate balancing and planning
Don’t delay longer. Act right now!