Family companies are a source of prosperity and stability in the global economy. These firms create jobs, invest in local communities, and repay society. Most global brands have emerged as family manufactories.
You can find the exact definition of a family business and its formal obligations and rights at the link below:
https://www.inc.com/encyclopedia/family-owned-businesses.html
Through the work and commitment of the members, successful family companies have reached the position they are in now. Many of them are still privately owned by the founders, or some family members are actively involved in the company management.
If you’re a family business owner yourself, you probably do something you love. Most of these companies arose from a passion or a hobby. And while you might do or make something for pleasure, it also brings you profit. However, there may be a reason to leave the family company.
Reasons for Exit
Many reasons exist for family members to leave their company. It can be particularly challenging if it results from disagreement or conflict. But if you, as the owner, have decided to leave the business without compromising your personal relations, you need a good plan.
Maybe it’s just oversaturation, or you don’t have the motivation to work anymore. But, on the other hand, perhaps you’ve achieved everything you wanted, and now you want to enjoy the fruits of your labor. And maybe it’s just a time for the younger generations to take responsibility.
In any case, you need a solid plan to explain your decision to family members and realize it. You should work with a team of professionals to develop a viable exit plan. Also, you have to consider your personal goals and how you want to leave your business. Depending on your strategy, this plan can include your legacy goals and other family considerations.
Pass Legacy on Family Members
Preparing a family business exit strategy involves many factors. So, it’s crucial to plan ahead to minimize risk and maximize success. Early planning entails identifying personal goals and figuring out who can be your successor if any. That’s possible when younger family members are actively involved in the company or show interest.
After finding candidates, it will take some time to train and get them into business. So you should have an eye on the future and do this way ahead of your retirement. Planning ahead will minimize stress and potential conflicts. Also, you’ll have enough time to see if this strategy is a good option or not.
You might decide to exit in phases. You’re still there to some point and have some control over business decisions. But your role is more like a supervisor. That will help your successors adapt and ensure your company stays profitable after you leave.
Sell Your Company
After years of building the foundation, your family’s financial condition may not be as strong as you would like. Unfortunately, success is never guaranteed, and there are many obstacles involved. So you may need to consider other exit strategies besides passing the business legacy on to family members.
Selling the company is a common exit strategy, but it’s a complex process. As with the previous method, the earlier you start planning, the better. The plan is to sell the business in an open market. Or you can sell it to someone from your niche.
To make this exit strategy work, you must maximize the value of your firm in the eyes of potential buyers. So besides cosmetics upgrades, you need to provide evidence of the company’s success, prosperity, and growth potential. That will make it more attractive to potential buyers.
There’s a subversion of this strategy for cases when you can’t find buyers. You can sell your client list, product licenses, or copyrights to competitors and close the business. It’s legal and doable; just ensure you have a good lawyer on your side.
Employee Buyout
You can also sell your business to current employees or customers. A friendly buyout can help you transfer ownership to people who have worked for you. This exit strategy will leave your company with a motivated workforce and a fair price for the value created.
In many cases, business owners will accept payment over time than selling it outright. The buyout structure and the financing options may have significant tax implications. But this strategy has a procedure to be followed, as explained on this source.
A smooth exit from a family business requires open communication with all the members and management. Explain the exact strategy and provide clarity about the transition. Emotions are likely to run high at this moment, so discussing your plans early on will prevent any arguments later. While not everyone may agree with your decision to leave, they are most likely to support you in your new role.