Articles
Planning to Sell or Step Back? Fix These Transition Risks First
When preparing for a business transition—whether passing it to a family member, selling to an external buyer, or stepping back from daily operations—certain risks can significantly impact the process. Two of the biggest challenges business owners face are customer concentration and management team readiness. These factors can affect business valuation, buyer interest, and long-term stability after the transition. Addressing these early can make the difference between a smooth transition and one …
How Is the Value of Your Business Calculated by the Market?
For business owners thinking about selling, transitioning ownership, or simply strengthening their company’s financial position, understanding business valuation is essential. The market doesn’t just look at revenue—it assesses profitability, risk, industry conditions, and future potential. Knowing what factors drive business value can help owners make smarter decisions to increase their company’s worth.
Key Factors That Determine Business Value
- Financial Performance – Profitability, cash fl…
Getting Ready for the Change: How Long Should You Prepare for a Business Transition?
Succession planning isn’t something that happens overnight. Whether passing the business to a family member, selling to an external buyer, or transitioning to employee ownership, proper preparation takes time—often more than business owners expect. The earlier you start planning, the more control you have over the outcome and the smoother the transition will be.
How Long Does It Take to Prepare for a Transition?
The ideal timeframe for preparing a business transition is 3 to 5 years before the…
Considering an External Sale? What Business Owners Need to Know
For many business owners, an external sale is the best path to exit. Whether selling to a competitor, private investor, or private equity firm, a well-planned transition can provide financial security and ensure the company’s long-term success. However, selling a business isn’t as simple as finding a buyer—it requires careful preparation, strategic decision-making, and an understanding of the potential benefits and challenges.
Key Considerations for an External Sale
One of th…
Ask the CFO: April 1
Succession Planning: What Every Family Business Needs to Know
Insights from the April Ask the CFO with Lowell Mora
Our most recent Ask the CFO session focused on a topic that affects nearly every family-owned business at some point: succession planning. And based on the engagement and great questions we received, it’s clear that this issue is top of mind for many business owners.
We kicked off the session with a sobering truth: only 1 in 3 family businesses make it to the second generation, and…
Will Your Business Survive the Next Generation? Here’s How to Plan for It
Passing your business to the next generation is a major milestone—one that requires careful planning, strategy, and open communication. While the idea of keeping a business in the family is appealing, the reality is that many family-owned businesses don’t survive the transition. In fact, only 1 in 3 make it from the first to the second generation, and just 1 in 8make it to the third.
As a CFO with over 30 years of experience, I specialize in helping business owners navigate these transitions—av…
Budgeting for Growth: A Smarter Way to Scale Your Business
For many business owners, budgeting feels like a restriction—like a set of rules limiting what can be spent. But in reality, a well-structured budget is a powerful tool for growth—helping you make informed decisions, prioritize investments, and set your business up for long-term success.
Many businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas—they fail because they run out of money. Whether you’re planning to hire staff, invest in new technology, or expand operations, a budget helps ensure every dollar…
Ask the CFO: Cash Flow
This week’s Ask the CFO session was an incredible deep dive into one of the most crucial aspects of running a business—cash flow management. We explored why traditional cash flow statements often fall short and how businesses can take a more proactive approach to financial planning.
Key Takeaways from the Session
✅ Why a 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast is Essential
Many business owners rely on historical cash flow statements, but these reports only tell you where you’ve been—not wh…
Struggling with Cash Flow? Here’s What You Need to Know
Cash flow is the single most important financial factor in determining whether a business thrives or struggles. Yet, many business owners focus only on revenue and profit, overlooking the critical role cash flow plays in daily operations. A company can be profitable on paper but still face financial distress if it lacks the cash needed to cover expenses when they arise.
Understanding cash flow—and how to manage it effectively—allows businesses to stay ahead of challenges, seize opportunit…
Why Every Business Needs a 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast
Cash flow is the foundation of any business’s financial health. It determines whether a company can pay its bills, invest in growth, and navigate unexpected challenges. Many businesses struggle not because they lack revenue, but because they don’t have enough cash on hand at the right time. Without a clear picture of where money is coming from and where it’s going, business owners risk making decisions that could put their company in financial jeopardy.
A 13-week cash flow forecast provid…