Giddy-Up with a Steady Hand

Growing up in South Texas, my favorite times at our family ranch were riding a young horse named Red. He was chestnut brown, but his coat sparkled red in the sun. He was spirited and headstrong, and I like to think we reached a synergistic bond over time.

Red (and my Dad) taught me many things: standing in the stable near the horses can feel scary but is also exciting; sitting in the saddle may feel powerful but doesn't get you where you want to go; and riding a horse is a practiced skill that takes focus, discipline, and clear communication.

Much like riding a horse, owning a business requires a steady hand, a clear direction, and the ability to adapt to unexpected challenges.

You know from honing your own industry expertise that every skill requires you to be prepared, practiced, and primed. Getting your business to that next level - whether it's your next $million or preparing for your exit - requires the same.

One of the biggest challenges during the exit journey is balancing the secretive nature of positioning your business for exit and maintaining stability within the business.

This Top-Secret Strategy is hard to maintain, since you may have to keep a big secret for a very long time.

Today’s Question:

Many women count keeping their staff during an exit transition a top priority. It is often crucial for the potential business buyer to maintain continuity and encourage the team to stay on.

What is the best way to keep your staff during an exit transition?

But Here’s the Twist . . .

People struggle when things are inconsistent or unpredictable and typically thrive when there’s more structure, consistency, and predictability. Standardizing your processes and service delivery provides that structure – for you, your staff, and your clients.

-- Excerpt from Patty’s book, Your Hidden Advantage: Unlock the Power to Attract Right-fit Clients and Boost Your Revenue

Developing and sticking with your company standards assures your staff of a reliable structure and a common language. They feel part of a bigger picture and learn to trust you and the standards. You can keep your exit plans confidential and build morale at the same time, laying the foundation for your team to want to keep their jobs under a new owner.

This steady hand provides stability and consistency, which also contributes to the efficiency and productivity of your staff.

Now What?

Exit readiness is a strategic and ongoing process that involves setting the stage for a smooth transition, maximizing business value, and ensuring your legacy endures.

This foundational strategy is timeless and positioning your company for your exit will help you generate more revenue, streamline operations, and build real business value.

Women who have successfully exited their business have shared with me that the most successful way forward was having a trusted, knowledgeable business advisor who could be objective and caring.

That’s the role I fill, helping the owner with the practical, emotional, confidential, and logistical puzzles that plague the exit process.

The joy I felt riding Red is the same sense of achievement you can experience, building a business you can sell one day and achieving an Elegant Exit™.

An Elegant Exit™ requires a new way of thinking, new skills, a simple and elegant design, and an advocate on your side.

I'm grateful to Red (and my Dad) for all the lessons that informed my approach to business.

If you're ready to 'saddle up' and 'giddy-up', contact me to learn more. 

Discover your Exit Readiness Index™ with this assessment: http://she-exits.com/