Business Planning
Business Planning
There are many ways that Next Plateau can help with your business. We can provide comprehensive exit planning services or segmented services as described below. Learn more about our business services below.
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Comprehensive Exit Planning
Every closely-held business owner should have an exit plan in place even if there is no thought of ever leaving the business. Changes in circumstances, whether created by a death, disability, divorce or other factors may require drastic action. If no plan is in place, the timing, success, and financial well-being of both the business and its owners may suffer tremendously. To learn about Exit Planning, please review our newsletter, The Exit Planning Review.
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Business Valuation & Value Enhancement Services
It is extremely difficult to plan properly for a business and its owners without some knowledgeable idea of what the business is worth. Understanding what drives the value of the business and how those value drivers can be manipulated to increase value is of equal importance.
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Business Structure & Tax Planning
The value of your business is important but the real question is how much remains after paying liabilities and taxes. Structuring a business properly can save millions of dollars of taxes in the event of a sale.
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Business Plans & Financial Projections
Often, entrepreneurs fail to share crucial knowledge of their business, industry, customers and other important issues with others. Preparing formal business plans and projecting results is an important step in taking your business to the next stage.
Benchmarking & Industry Comparisons
Sophisticated buyers will compare your business against its prior results, the industry, and best practices in many different operational and financial areas. Understanding what financial and operational ratios are important and how your business compares can allow you to better run the company and improve its appeal to potential buyers in the future.
Executive Compensation & Bonus Plans
It is important to hire and retain quality people to grow a business and make a transition successful. Proper incentives for key employees will generate loyalty and promote appropriate behavior.
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Due Diligence Services & Secure Electronic Records
Nothing delays or kills a deal or significantly reduces sale price more than the discovery of problems in the due diligence process. It may be failure to have appropriate licenses, tax issues, lack of or poorly drafted contracts, or many other legal, financial and operational concerns or simply a lack of organization that gives a potential buyer pause. Resolving or mitigating any problems and organizing data early will significantly reduce the chance of problems later.
Business Sales & Transfers
Whether an appropriate exit strategy is a sale to employees or co-owners, the transfer to the next generation, the outright sale to the highest bidder, or some other option, appropriate planning is crucial to success.