Who will operate your business in the future? Many business owners do not know the answer to that question, and many owners don’t want to think about it. On average, 30 percent of companies survive to a second generation, only 12 percent of those survive to the third generation, and only 3 percent of those survive beyond that. Having a succession plan can help to strengthen these numbers, and ensure that your business will be passed on to future generations.

Succession planning is the “will” for the company. It helps to identify who will own the company, who will manage the company and how the company will be transferred.

The why The basic purpose of succession planning is to achieve the maximum benefits from your labor, both during your lifetime and at death. You achieve these benefits by proper planning and proper transitions of your business assets.

First, ask yourself if you have provided for adequate income during your retirement and/or upon your death. If not, proper planning of the transition of your business may help to increase the benefits you receive upon retirement, or may help your loved ones upon your death. Many times it is the loved ones who are responsible for the debts, estate expenses and taxes. Proper planning of your retirement and/or death needs can reduce if not eliminate these responsibilities on your heirs.

Next, you must select a successor. This is important for the success of your company in the future. You must select someone who is competent, knowledgeable, dependable and who desires the role. Proper communication will allow you to identify those who fit the criteria to fill your position.

A successor cannot be expected to make decisions for the first time upon your death. A transition period is essential to a successful plan. Time to train and mentor must be factored in to help the chosen one succeed both personally and professionally. This will also provide you with the comfort level you may need to effect the transition. Proper planning will help provide you with this needed time, by identifying the successor and allowing them to work up to their eventual leadership position with you as their mentor.

Advanced planning is important because it will allow you to identify the way in which the transfer will take place. You may decide to sell or gift the business to family members or key employees. Alternatively, you may decide to seek a higher bid from a competitor. Regardless of who or how your business is transferred, succession planning will help to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each possible plan. This type of preparedness helps to eliminate taxes and liabilities for your estate heirs as well as your successors. In addition, proper planning can lead to a happy retirement with a lot of cash and less taxes.

The plan

The first element of the plan is the selection of a successor. This choice should be based on the best interests of the company, and may require resolving some family and personnel issues prior to selection. Involving family members and the key employees will help to facilitate the process and provide for a smoother transition. It is also important to include the needs and concerns of those employees and/or family members who will not be involved in the management to help solidify their support and loyalty to the company.

The next step is to prepare the legal documents that are necessary to implement the plan. The single most important document in a succession plan is a buy-sell agreement. A good buy-sell agreement will automatically provide for the succession of the company (including transfer of ownership and control), will determine the value of the company and identify what is needed to reduce the tax liability. A properly drafted buy-sell agreement will help to ensure an orderly passage of the company to the next generation and assist in establishing your retirement program.

The buy-sell agreement will dictate the taxes and liabilities that the company will be responsible for during the transitional period. Estate taxes are normally calculated on the fair market value of the company at the date of death. When a buy-sell agreement does not exist, the IRS will step in and fix the value according to its own formulas. This value may have no relation to what your estate received as the beneficial owner of the business. Therefore, it is important to have a buy-sell agreement in place to help establish the value of your company and reduce the threat of a less favorable valuation upon your death.

Other documents found in succession plans include stock redemption agreements, incentive plans for employees, employment contracts for those who are considered “key” employees, life insurance policies, wills and trusts.

As the plan is implemented and carried out, it may require subtle changes to accommodate the styles and goals of the new owners. In addition to documents, positions may need to be created or eliminated. For example, if you believe that the value of your business will be increased by the appointment of a CEO, then the succession plan may include a resolution creating such a position.

Each document takes a considerable amount of time and input to ensure that your will as an owner will be followed. It is imperative that all documents in the plan be prepared by competent, experienced professionals, who will look out not only for your interests, but for the interests of the business and the interests of future generations as well. The more complete and competent the plan, the more assurance you can have in providing for your retirement and the passage of your business upon your death.

Whether you are thinking about retirement or have just entered the market, it is never too late or too early to begin to develop and implement a succession plan.

Dr. Bart Basi, CPA/attorney at law, is the senior advisor of The Center for Financial, Legal and Tax Planning Inc., Marion, Ill. Dr. Basi will be speaking at ISSA/INTERCLEAN® in Las Vegas on Tuesday September 9. His presentation titled “Succession: Are You Ready To Pass The Mantle,” is sponsored by Contracting Profits.

BOOK REVIEW

Cosby Book Challenges America
By Lisa Ridgely, Deputy Editor

“Come On People: On The Path From Victims To Victors,” by Bill Cosby and Alvin F. Poussaint, M.D. (Thomas Nelson, 2007, $25.99 hardcover)

Most Americans have been familiar with comedian Dr. Bill Cosby for decades, since his days in television, starring in groundbreaking efforts “I Spy” and “The Cosby Show.” The renowned and well-respected entertainer has in recent years added a seriousness to his social commentary — especially pertaining to the African-American community. In the book “Come On People: On The Path From Victims To Victors,” authors Cosby and psychiatrist Dr. Alvin Poussaint share stories from people across the United States who have faced adversity with bravery and optimism, and moved forward to rebuild their lives.

The book praises historical figures who have laid down their lives for the progression of black civil rights, challenging readers to remember and honor the sacrifices they made. Those leaders, they write, would not be happy with the state of things in modern day American society.

Cosby seems bewildered at the state of segments of American society today, particularly the urban gangster culture that has become the predominant media — news and entertainment — portrayal of black culture as a whole. The role of the family has been diminished, with absent fathers and a decline in marriage, high incarceration rates and kids growing up way too fast, and that has negatively impacted the black community as a whole.

Cosby and Poussaint appeals to blacks to reject the victim mentality and elevate their expectations for themselves to improve their quality of life. Rather than blaming the outside world for their problems, all people are challenged to look within for the answer to those problems. The message is uplifting for anyone, anywhere: expect more from yourself, complain less, respect yourself, love yourself and take responsibility for your community. We can all change the future for the better.

Editor’s note: Dr. Bill Cosby will be delivering the keynote address at ISSA/INTERCLEAN® North America in Las Vegas at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10.




POSTED ON: 7/1/2008