In an ideal world, business partners would reach retirement readiness at the same time, exit together, and move on with perfect symmetry. In our experience, that rarely happens. Misaligned retirement plans are far more common than most business owners realise. But there are ways to deal with the situation constructively.
Before anything else, give yourself permission to step away. Easter offers a natural pause. Or one of the May Bank Holiday weekends.
Richard Murray reviews how business owners are feeling right now, based on our conversations with a wide range of SME leaders in recent weeks:
Kevin Petley reflects on five years with elephants child, and the many challenges business owners have had to tackle during that time. He’s worked with over 50 businesses during those five years on Business Growth Plans and providing board advisory support.
Elephants Child has officially landed a feature in the latest Your Business magazine – and this edition was guest-edited by none other than iconic Dragon’s Den investor and all-round business pioneer, Deborah Meaden.
The New Year is more than a symbolic reset; it’s an inflection point. Resist the temptation to get straight back into the day-to-day execution of running your business and make some resolutions to see you through the next 12 months and beyond.
Tax rates are changing. If you are thinking about selling your business, the timing can significantly impact the net proceeds shareholders receive.
The defence sector is estimated to contribute around £10 billion to £12 billion a year to the UK economy. Comprising a range of long-standing and new businesses, this rapidly growing industry has always been crucial to the country’s operation and security – but now, its impact is set to strengthen even further as the government assigns more spend to it.
No matter how many times we hear it in small talk, it still doesn’t feel possible that summer is here.
If you're a UK SME owner thinking it's time to hang up the boots, pour the gin, and sail off into a spreadsheet-less sunset, you're not alone. Whether you're dreaming of tropical beaches, tinkering in a shed full of gadgets, or just never want to hear the words “VAT quarter” again, there are – dare we say it – 50 ways to leave your business.