Podcasts about smalldotbig

The World's #1 Personal Development Book Podcast! In today's episode we have the pleasure to interview Laurie Barkman author of “The Business Transition Handbook”  Laurie, aka Business transition Sherpa, is the former CEO of a company that did $100 million dollars in yearly revenue that was sold to a Fortune 50 company. She now provides Strategic Business Transition Planning (pre-M&A services) with her firm, SmallDotBig. Laurie is a wife, mother, and adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, she also hosts the award-winning podcast Succession Stories!  In this episode you'll learn all about Laurie's book, hear some interesting succession stories, why it's important to build a company worth buying, and what you can do to set yourself up for a successful exit! Don't be like the majority who run out of time and options. Please enjoy this incredible conversation with Laurie Barkman! To Learn More Visit: ⁠⁠thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com For FREE resources to increase the value of your business visit: thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/business-transition-assessments Today's episode is sponsored by Audible. Try Audible for free: www.bookthinkers.com/audibletrial. The purpose of this podcast is to connect you, the listener, with new books, new mentors, and new resources that will help you achieve more and live better. Each and every episode will feature one of the world's top authors so that you know each and every time you tune-in, there is something valuable to learn. If you have any recommendations for guests, please DM them to us on Instagram. (www.instagram.com/bookthinkers) If you enjoyed this show, please consider leaving a review. It takes less than 60-seconds of your time, and really makes a difference when I am trying to land new guests. For more BookThinkers content, check out our Instagram or our website. Thank you for your time!

“As a leader we can't assume people will follow us.” - Laurie Barkman80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. Many need to improve the business first.Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers andacquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go.Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award- winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value.Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts a weekly podcast called Succession Stories.Laurie earned her MBA from Carnegie Mellon and BS from Cornell University. She is a Certified Value Builder Advisor and has a Certificate from the Exit Planning Institute.Click here to subscribe to The Sell My Business Podcast to save time and effort.SELECTED LINKS FOR THIS EPISODElbarkman@smalldotbig.comSmallDotBigSchedule a Business Transition Advisory Call with Laurie BarkmanLaurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa - YouTubeLaurie Barkman - Value Creation and Business Transition Advisor | CEO/Founder - SmallDotBig LLC | LinkedInLaurie Barkman (@LaurieBarkman) / TwitterSuccession Planning Stories Podcast SmallDotBigCockroach Startups: What You Need To Know To Succeed And ProsperFREE Deep Wealth eBook on Why You Suck At Selling Your Business And What You Can Do About It (Today)Book Your FREE Deep Wealth Strategy CallResources To Have You Thrive And ProsperThe Deep Wealth Podcast brings you a wealth of world-class thought leaders who share invaluable resources and insights. Click the link below to access the resources, gear, and books that either our guests or the Deep Wealth team leverage to increase success:https://www.deepwealth.com/thriveContact Deep Wealth: Tweet @JeffreyFeldberg LinkedIn Instagram Subscribe to The Deep Wealth Podcast Email podcast[at]deepwealth[dot]com Help us pay it forward by leaving a review.Here's to you and your success!As always, please stay healthy and safe.

How can you position your family's business to successfully transition between generations and begin to grow for the future? Innovation, transition, growth. These are the key drivers of disruptive succession that help businesses evolve and continue to thrive.   This week on Succession Stories, Jonathan Goldhill joins host Laurie Barkman for a conversation on moving businesses forward in the face of change. Jonathan is the founder of Goldhill Group which has been serving closely-held and family businesses for over three decades.   Drawing from his experience as a strategist and consultant, Jonathan is also the author of Disruptive Successor: A Guide for Driving Growth in Your Family Business. Jonathan advises closely held and family-owned businesses on this challenge. His passion for advising next gen entrepreneurs ignited when his family's business, one of the largest manufacturers of men's clothing in the US, ceased operations and failed to survive into the fourth generation.   Learn about how next-gen leaders can scale up as they take over the leadership and ownership of the company. Enjoy my conversation about how disruptive successors can position your business for next generation success with Jonathan Goldhill.   Listen in to learn more about: Evaluating potential partners prior to a partnership venture Challenges facing multi-generational succession Viewing succession from an outsider's perspective Developing a business identity beyond the founder Building a team of trusted people to help the business navigate succession Effectively governing family businesses     Show Links: https://www.thegoldhillgroup.com/ Learn more about business transition planning at https://smalldotbig.com    Visit www.meetlauriebarkman.com to request a business exit readiness assessment Subscribe to the Succession Stories YouTube Channel   About Succession Stories Podcast: Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast guiding entrepreneurs from transition to transaction. From building value to letting go. The show received the 28th Annual Communicator Award for Audio & Podcast Excellence and is ranked in the top 2.5% of podcasts globally. Join host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa, and founder of SmallDotBig, a strategic growth and M&A advisory firm, in weekly conversations with entrepreneurs, family business leaders, investors, and industry experts as they explore the journey from business growth and innovation, creating a more valuable and transferable business, and avoiding succession regrets when exiting and selling your company.   If you are an entrepreneur looking for inspiration to create a more valuable business, or an owner who wants to figure out the best way to transition or sell their closely held company, this podcast is for you. To learn more about Laurie and subscribe to our newsletter, visit https://smalldotbig.com Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauriebarkman ______________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our show sponsor, Stony Hill Advisors Is this the year to sell your company? Don't leave your exit to chance. Stony Hill Advisors works with owners like you to get ready and maximize value when you're ready to sell. Visit www.stonyhilladvisors.com/podcast for a complimentary business valuation.

If you've built a successful business, you'll already know that it requires a lot of time, planning, and effort. But do you know what it takes to conduct a successful business exit? Laurie Barkman joins us this week to explain why you should start thinking about your exit many years before you actually want to leave your business and to provide an overview of the steps you need to take to make the transition as smooth and beneficial as possible. About Laurie Barkman:Laurie (the “business transition sherpa”) is the founder and CEO of SmallDotBig LLC (where she is helping owners maximize the value of their company and guiding them through the complex process of letting it go), Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business, and host of the Succession Stories podcast. Episode highlights: Just like building a business, exiting a business takes a lot of planning and a lot of teamwork. Letting go is a process, and you want to start evaluating and maximizing value while time is still on your side. A lot of businesses never get sold; they just close down. So plan ahead to ensure that doesn't happen to yours! (05:55) Before exiting, it's important to create a vision of what your life is going to look like afterward so that you don't lose your identity when you sell your business. (31:08) If you want your business to be transferable, make sure you have a documented process of how your business works so that people other than you can do what you do. (42:08) Be patient with yourself! Being a business owner means there's always something more to do, but be easy on yourself; you don't always have to be in control. (46:53) Laurie's best advice for entrepreneurs:“Being a planner, being proactive, is a good thing. If we're always running our business looking in the rearview, how are we able to move forward?” (11:46)  Connect with Laurie: LinkedIn Twitter Website Follow Beyond 8 Figures: LinkedIn Twitter Website

“If a third party sales in your future, why not set it up for success and then work backwards” - Laurie Barkman80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. Many need to improve the business first.Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go.Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award- winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value.Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts a weekly podcast called Succession Stories.Laurie earned her MBA from Carnegie Mellon and BS from Cornell University. She is a Certified Value Builder Advisor and has a Certificate from the Exit Planning Institute.Click here to subscribe to The Sell My Business Podcast to save time and effort.SELECTED LINKS FOR THIS EPISODElbarkman@smalldotbig.comSmallDotBigLaurie Barkman (@LaurieBarkman) / TwitterSchedule a Business Transition Advisory Call with Laurie BarkmanLaurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa - YouTubeLaurie Barkman - Value Creation and Business Transition Advisor | CEO/Founder - SmallDotBig LLC | LinkedInSuccession Planning Stories Podcast SmallDotBigThe Deep Wealth Sell My Business PodcastCockroach Startups: What You Need To Know To Succeed And ProsperFREE Deep Wealth eBook on Why You Suck At Selling Your Business And What You Can Do About It (Today)Book Your FREE Deep Wealth Strategy CallContact Deep Wealth: Tweet @JeffreyFeldberg LinkedIn Instagram Subscribe to The Deep Wealth Podcast Email podcast@deepwealth.com Help us pay it forward by leaving a review.Here's to you and your success!

Growing a business requires preparing and planning for the future in order to make it transferable. Laurie Barkman is teaching entrepreneurs about making their business firm by helping them maximize enterprise value, creating succession plans, and identifying M&A strategies. 80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. Many need to improve the business first. Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go. Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award-winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value. Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts an award-winning podcast called Succession Stories. Laurie earned her MBA from Carnegie Mellon and BS from Cornell University. She is a Certified Value Builder Advisor and has a Certificate from the Exit Planning Institute. Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Growing a business requires preparing and planning for the future in order to make it transferable. Laurie Barkman is teaching entrepreneurs about making their business firm by helping them maximize enterprise value, creating succession plans, and identifying M&A strategies. 80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. Many need to improve the business first. Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go. Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award-winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value. Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts an award-winning podcast called Succession Stories. Laurie earned her MBA from Carnegie Mellon and BS from Cornell University. She is a Certified Value Builder Advisor and has a Certificate from the Exit Planning Institute. Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Sometimes, what's difficult in moving on is not about whether you do it or not, it's about how you will do it and with whom you are doing it.In this episode of The Disruptive Successor show, Jonathan welcomes Laurie Barkman, CEO, and Founder of SmallDotBig, who works to help business owners add value to their businesses and successions. Laurie will be sharing her story and advice to business owners who are planning their exits and successions along the way.HIGHLIGHTSIntroducing Laurie BarkmanExits and successions are as important as building and runningLaurie's point of view on diversityIns and outs of family boardsOpening up to outside advisory boardsDigging deep into strategic planningTo sell or to transferQUOTESLaurie - Surround yourself with equally skilled people to plan your exit:“It's important for them to realize that they'll want to have the same kind of talent around them on the sell side or to the transaction side, whatever that exit is for them and their succession.”Laurie - Diversity of thought, not the surface only:“How I like to describe it, Jonathan is a diversity of thought, and people's experiences and perspectives is what makes us diverse, I don't really look at us on the surface and say, This is a diverse board.”Laurie - Sell the business or transfer to the family:“Selling versus the family is tricky for a lot of the reasons we mentioned, maybe we want junior to have it but Junior, again, doesn't have the skills, either Junior is not interested, they don't have the skills, or it's a time sensitivity, where we just can't wait that long to see what happens.”Connect with Laurie and learn more about her work:About LaurieAbout SmallDotBigSmallDotBig.comIf you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe, review and share with a friend who would benefit from the message. If you're interested in picking up a copy of Jonathan Goldhill's book, Disruptive Successor, go to the website at www.DisruptiveSuccessor.com

Laurie Barkman shares on Best practices for exit planning and M&A strategies (Emotional side of business transitions and letting go) About: Laurie Barkman is a Business Transition and Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor, and calls herself a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises business owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go. Additionally, she serves as an Advisory Board Member for a second-generation construction company. Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and strategic growth expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value. Laurie hosts an award-winning podcast called Succession Stories, amongst the top 2.5% of podcasts globally. She earned an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and BS from Cornell University. She also holds the Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor designation. Show Links: SmallDotBig.com Business Assessment Survey Stony Hill Advisors website MeetLaurieBarkman.com Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn

Looking to position your business to sell?   Business transition sherpa, Laurie Barkman of SmallDotBig, joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa this week on The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide. Laurie discusses several key elements when considering selling, merging or acquiring a business.   Listen in as she talks about the “Owner's Trap”, what impacts business value and ways to get ready mentally, logistically and financially to sell your business.   

Hi, I'm the Profit Answer Man Rocky Lalvani! I help small business owners simplify their financial reports so that they can make more informed business decisions with fewer hassles. We utilize the Profit First system created by Mike Michalowicz Effortless Cashflow Course: http://bit.do/effortlesscashflowcourse Schedule your free, no-obligation intro call: https://bookme.name/rockyl/lite/intro-appointment-15-minutes More about making profitability simple: http://profitcomesfirst.com/ Questions: questions@profitanswerman.com Email: rocky@profitcomesfirst.com   Bio  80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. Many need to improve the business first.       Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go.       Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award-winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value.       Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts a weekly podcast called Succession Stories.        Laurie earned an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and BISILR from Cornell University. She is a Certified M&A Advisor and Certified Value Builder giving her the knowledge to expertly represent clients and coach them how to maximize the value of their business.   Social Medias   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/   Twitter: @Laurie Barkman   Website: https://smalldotbig.com    Podcast: www.successionstories.com      https://bit.ly/overlooked_owner Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ First 2 chapters of Profit First: https://sendfox.com/rocky This episode is part of the SMB Podcast Network. Find other great interviews from around the internet just like this one at https://www.SMBPodcastNetwork.com Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

In this episode, I interview Laurie Barkman, CEO and Founder of SmallDotBig, based in Pittsburgh, United States. Laurie set up her own business to help business owners maximize enterprise value, create succession plans, and identify M&A strategies. From being a key leader of a startup and adjunct professor, Laurie decided to help entrepreneurs grow by providing strategic planning to be firm. SmallDotBig was established in 2011 and has been running for over 11 years with over 5 FTEs.   Laurie has said that growing a business requires preparing and planning for the future and making it transferable. This Cast Covers: Focusing on creating value and transitioning with success. Providing Exit Planning and advisory work Helping entrepreneurs on how to create a scalable business that can be transferred. Observing differences across different industries. Helping entrepreneurs maximize enterprise value, create succession plans, and identify M&A strategies. Teaching entrepreneurs about making their business firm by managing the cash flow. Making valuations on business and representing companies for sale. Working for startups and big companies. Learning how to handle difficulties as a CEO. Learn how to build relationships and the right partnerships for the growth of the business. Additional Resources: SmallDotBig One Minute Manager Manage by Blanchard  ——————————- Quotes: “The reality is that 100% of us are going to leave our company one day, and we have to acknowledge and plan for it..” —Laurie Barkman “A non-transferable business is a worthless business.” —Laurie Barkman “If you put good in the world, good will come back to you.” —Laurie Barkman “Be mindful that you don't have all the answers.” —Laurie Barkman “The clearer you are with yourself, the clearer you'll be with the business around you.” —Laurie Barkman ——————————-   Music from https://filmmusic.io “Cold Funk” by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

The exit process is nuanced but sometimes it comes down to simply knowing how to let go. How to move on from what you've built your whole career and into the next phase of your life. Laurie Barkman has worked on guiding business owners along this process. Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a boutique mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides lower middle-market companies through the complex process of letting go. Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award-winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspective to maximize value. Today, Laurie joins the show to dive into her business transition process and the ways in which business owners can solidify their business prior to exit. CONNECT WITH US Twitter LinkedIn

Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go.Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award-winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value.Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts a weekly podcast called Succession Stories.Laurie earned an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and BS from Cornell University. She is a Certified M&A Advisor and Certified Value Builder giving her the knowledge to expertly represent clients and coach them how to maximize the value of their business.Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award-winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value.Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts a weekly podcast called Succession Stories.Laurie earned an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and BS from Cornell University. She is a Certified M&A Advisor and Certified Value Builder giving her the knowledge to expertly represent clients and coach them how to maximize the value of their business.--------------------------------------------------Contact Laurie onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/Website: https://smalldotbig.com- www.meetlauriebarkman.comAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Each purchase supports both the author and this podcast. If you'd like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a patron here: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=66340956----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Reach me to sell me your business, be on my podcast or just share some love:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ronaldskeltonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/How2ExitHave suggestions, comments, or want to tell us about a business for sale call our hotline and leave a message: 918-641-4150----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Watch it on Youtube: https://youtu.be/6Cg58asiPSs----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Other interviews:Zoran Sarabaca: https://youtu.be/OLqszNP7yHYJohn Andrews: https://youtu.be/vmGWbd2y5x0Chris Daigle: https://youtu.be/jHWzFGRbpD4Arturo Henriquez: https://youtu.be/uwN7y8AE4EQJoe Valley: https://youtu.be/ZQLdybxcZKsChristopher Wick: https://youtu.be/xhIf9ltgedAJonathan Brabrand: https://youtu.be/oC82Ls54CXoCarl Allen: https://youtu.be/VIU2Lqj_FY4Klint Kendrick: https://youtu.be/eJ2GICCj2TAWalker Deibel: https://youtu.be/xoUH_Ixeook--------------------------------------------------

If you were to decide you were ready to exit out of your business today, do you know what it is worth? Have you had a professional evaluation done? If you have not you should look to have one done. In fact, since my interview with Laurie, I decided to follow her advice and start that process just to know and have an understanding. Our guest today is Laurie Barkman. She is a business transition sherpa and is the founder of SmallDotBig where she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. She is also a partner at a boutique M&A firm and hosts the Succession Stories Podcast. Laurie's experience as a CEO of a privately held company that was acquired inspired what she does today.   LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:Schedule a free consultation with Laurie: www.MeetLaurieBarkman.comConnect with Laurie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ If you are ready to franchise your business or take it to the next level: CLICK HERE.ABOUT OUR GUEST:Laurie Barkman is a business a business transition sherpa. She's the Founder of SmallDotBig, where she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. Additionally, she is a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a boutique M&A firm specializing in the lower middle market. Laurie also hosts the  Succession Stories Podcast, where she sits down with industry experts to uncover best practices to grow their businesses, and develop transition strategies and leadership for the future. Her experience as a CEO of a privately held company that was acquired, inspired what she does today.ABOUT BIG SKY FRANCHISE TEAM:This episode is powered by Big Sky Franchise Team. If you are ready to talk about franchising your business you can schedule your free, no-obligation, franchise consultation online at: https://bigskyfranchiseteam.com/ or by calling Big Sky Franchise Team at: 855-824-4759. 

Laurie Barkman has over 13 years of Corporate and Not-For-Profit Board Director experience with exposure to governance in controlling shareholder environments. An independent thinker, she is able to clarify complex and ambiguous issues with a collaborative and analytic approach. Laurie is the Founder/CEO of SmallDotBig advising privately held companies on pre-M&A value creation and exit planning, and a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, an M&A firm specializing in the lower middle market. An Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, Laurie teaches the Corporate Startup Lab, a Masters-level class on transformative innovation within corporations. She hosts the Succession Stories Podcast, delivering weekly insights for C- Suite executives, and leads Strategic Growth workshops for CEOs as a National Vistage Speaker.

Marcia talks with business transition sherpa & M&A advisor, Laurie Barkman about transition planning. There are many reasons to start planning as early as today. Laurie uses the Value Builder system to analyze gaps & improve the value of your company so that you can be better prepared for a transition as well as get the biggest price in return. Laurie has a lot of resources on her website: www.SmallDotBig.com & she is offering a complimentary assessment, register @ www.meetlauriebarken.com ================= Join Marcia on her FREE webclass "How To Make Your Business Sale-Worthy....Even If You Aren't Thinking of Selling It Yet on Wednesday at 6 pm PT. Register @ www.exitwithaplan.com   Please subscribe & ring the bell for reminders about next week's show. ================= About Marcia: She is a business growth strategist helping service-based professionals to strengthen their business so that it is worth selling someday. She works closely with her clients to turn their business into an attractive & profitable business asset they can enjoy until they decide it's time to stop. She helps them get a return on their business investment. Marcia is the CEO of Trajectory Consulting & can be found at www.TrajectoryBiz.com Curious? Book a complimentary call. (949) 229-2112      

How do family businesses need to transform to survive through the next generation? Today we talk with Laurie Barkman, who is a business transition sherpa, certified M&A Advisor, and founder of the firm, SmallDotBig. Laurie explains what impacts business value, common mistakes leaders make, and how to prepare your business as a more valuable, sellable asset. Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award-winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value. She is a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, through which she guides owners through the complex process of letting it go. Laurie is also an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University. She leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts a weekly podcast called Succession Stories. 80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. Listen as Laurie reveals the steps needed to prepare ahead of time, so you are ready to transition successfully when the time comes. What We Discuss With Laurie Barkman in This Episode Why succession planning is so hot right now Market dynamics and types of buyers What impacts business value, and how it is calculated Factors that reduce your business value How to increase your business valuation Common mistakes owners make when selling their company How Laurie got into this industry What owners can do to start preparing their business to be more sellable Episode Show Notes: https://tinyurl.com/yc69275p 

Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go. She joins host Nana Bonsu this week on Build Value by Choice to give you advice on preparing your business for transition. KEY TAKEAWAYS 80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. Many need to improve the business first. If your business has a lot of risks, it makes it a less attractive prospect and will be harder to transition. The earlier you make the decision to work towards transitioning the business, the more time you have. Having more time means you have more options. More options means you can find more value. And value doesn't have to be the highest offer, the right offer for you might not be the highest one. You can create different exit options depending on your goals. For example the paths of passing your business down the family line is very different to a management buyout. Financial buyers are long-term investors interested in the return that they can get by buying a well-managed company and looking to generate cash flow by boosting revenue, cutting costs, or creating economies of scale by buying similar companies. Strategic buyers are often bigger companies that are well capitalized, able to spend more, and less focused on whether a company can generate quick cash flow. The strategic buyers tend to pay more than financial buyers. BEST MOMENTS ‘When you have time on your side, you ultimately have more options’ ‘I was selling my business but I was also selling myself’ ‘You only get one change to land a plane on the Hudson’ ‘3/4s of owners have regrets 1 year after their exit’ EPISODE RESOURCES Leave a comment or question on the Build Value By Choice Facebook community page Get your free value builder score here bit.ly/get-free-valuation Get more resources on infhorizons.com/podcast www.meetlauriebarkman.com https://smalldotbig.com/ www.linkedin.com/lauriebarkman/ www.twitter.com//LaurieBarkman/ www.facebook.com/SmallDotBig/ Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it. ABOUT THE GUEST Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go. Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award-winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value. Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with...

Looking to enhance and grow your business in 2022? This week on Succession Stories, Stephanie Scheller joins Laurie Barkman to discuss success in the face of disruption. Stephanie is the founder of Grow Disrupt, a marketing agency in Texas that grew by nearly 50% in 2020. How? By optimizing recruitment, offering packages that address customer needs, and improving the agency's positioning. In addition to sharing her story, Stephanie also plays her violin for us, a first for the show!   Listen in to learn more about: Fine-tuning your three M's of marketing; market, message, and methods of distribution  Testing and adjusting strategies to find those that work best for your business Making the most of disruption Connect with  Stephanie Scheller: https://www.thestephaniescheller.com/ https://www.growdisrupt.com/     Connect with Host, Laurie Barkman: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Website: https://smalldotbig.com/contact-us/   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer or seller. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

We kick off 2022 with a spotlight on business transitions. Why maximizing your business today can help you prepare for an exit on your terms tomorrow. This episode features an insightful presentation from Laurie Barkman in a webinar with Chris Brodman, President of Metz Lewis Brodman Must O'Keefe, a Pittsburgh PA, law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions and business transactions.  If you're not yet getting Succession Stories monthly newsletter, now is a great time to sign up on the show's website www.SuccessionStories.com. You'll be amongst the first to hear about Laurie's new book, upcoming events, and more great content to help you capture value and transition with success.     Connect with Host, Laurie Barkman: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Website: https://smalldotbig.com/contact-us/   Show Links: Metz Lewis website: https://www.metzlewis.com/   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer or seller. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

100% of business owners will leave their business someday. Whether a business thrives after an owner leaves depends on your succession plan to ensure a smooth transition. How do you create a succession plan? What are the dos and don'ts? How can a well planned succession improve your business value? Listen in as Beth Miller returns to Succession Stories to discuss her book Replaceable: An Obsession with Succession to help you plan for a successful transition in your business.   Listen in to learn more about: Building a plan for life beyond your business What separates successful transitions from those that fail Why a succession plan should be an ongoing process Analyzing the gaps between your key people and key positions and developing your team in time How to communicate about your succession plan with your team Mapping out a competency ladder for your company for effective leadership  Tools and resources to help you gauge your readiness to transition both at a personal and business level   Show Links: Replaceable: An Obsession with Succession: https://us.amazon.com/Replaceable-Succession-Beth-Armknecht-Miller/dp/1951503538/ Succession Stories E36: https://smalldotbig.com/succession-stories-podcast/e36-avoiding-succession-planning-mistakes-beth-armknect-miller/   Connect with Beth Miller: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betharmknechtmiller Website: https://executive-velocity.com/meet-beth-miller/   Connect with Host, Laurie Barkman: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Website: https://smalldotbig.com/contact-us/    About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer or seller. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

What's Your Business Exit Strategy? Laurie Barkman, SmallDotBig   – The Sharkpreneur podcast with Seth Greene Episode 746 Laurie Barkman 80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. Many need to improve the business first. Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go. Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award-winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value. Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts a weekly podcast called Succession Stories. Laurie earned her MBA from Carnegie Mellon and BS from Cornell University, and is a Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor (CM&AA). She lives in Pittsburgh PA with her family.   Listen to this illuminating Sharkpreneur episode with Laurie Barkman about business exit strategies. Here are some of the beneficial topics covered on this week's show: - How most business owners don't have a plan for their exit strategy. - How only 20% of business owners have a written plan for their exit strategy. - Why business owners need a strategy to build value in their business. - Why business owners stand in the way of letting their business succeed. - How people need human capital and structural capital to run a business.   Connect with Laurie: Guest Contact Info Twitter @lauriebarkman Facebook facebook.com/SmallDotBig LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/smalldotbig linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman Links Mentioned: smalldotbig.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the M&A deal ecosystem different types of buyers have different motivations. Family offices are known to have a long time horizon and offer flexibility during acquisition. Alex Panosian is a co-founder of CW Growth Partners, a family office focused on acquiring and growing small businesses in the Midwest. Laurie Barkman and Alex discuss his family business legacy, core values, and how that shaped their investment strategy.   Listen in to learn more about: Growing your business value through your people, culture and systems Key considerations from a buyer's perspective during an acquisition To leave or not to leave? Finding the balance between staying on and exiting following a transition The flexibility family offices offer compared to private equity buyers   Connect with Alex Panosian: CW Growth Partners website:  https://www.cwgrowthpartners.com/ Alex Panosian: alex@cwgrowthpartners.com   Connect with Host, Laurie Barkman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/   The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer or seller. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

If a high percentage of your company's revenue is undertaken personally by you or your fellow equity holders, you're a Rainmaker. You've got a strong ability to influence customers, but you may be lowering your company's value. Amy Franko is a strategic sales expert and author of The Modern Seller. Listen in as Laurie Barkman and Amy talk about the challenge of The Rainmaker's Dilemma, traps to avoid, and actions you can take to increase your company's value.   Listen in to learn more about: Understanding The Rainmaker's Dilemma and impact on business value Architecting a sales process Sales strategies to consider in a disruptive business environment   Connect with Amy Franko: https://amyfranko.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfranko   Connect with Host, Laurie Barkman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for your hard work by finding the right buyer or seller. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

Explore how ESOP management buyouts can be a great succession plan as a way to transfer your family-owned business to your children and employees. Laurie Barkman and Darren Gleeman, an ESOP expert and Partner at MBO Ventures, discuss why you might consider an ESOP over selling to a private equity firm. In addition to substantial tax incentives, your children can get warrants to buy back a large chunk of the company in the future. Listen in to learn more about the immense possibilities ESOPs can create for your business. How ESOPs can create a win-win scenario for business owners, stakeholders and employees How an ESOP can reduce tax obligations Why setting up an ESOP structure can make it easier to transfer your business  The importance of incentives such as ESOPs as a way to incentivize your team and retain your workforce  How Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned, and Minority Business Enterprises can sell to an ESOP and maintain their certification   Connect with Darren Gleeman: 646-734-2035,  dgleeman@mboventures.com www.mboventures.com   Connect with Laurie Barkman: Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn Podcast website: www.successionstories.com   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer or seller. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

Jon talks with Laurie Barkman, Strategic Growth Advisor of SmallDotBig, about how business owners get more time back in their lives. Laurie Barkman is the founder and CEO of SmallDotBig, a strategic advisory firm. She helps business owners get more time back in their lives, create value in their business, and have more options for their future. Laurie has more than 25 years of experience scaling companies and is the former CEO of a $100 million business acquired by FedEx. She is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University and hosts a podcast called Succession Stories.   Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/  Website: https://jondwoskin.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/  Email: jon@jondwoskin.com  Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big!   Connect with Laurie Barkman: Twitter: @lauriebarkman  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.barkman/  Instagram: @lauriebarkman  Website: https://smalldotbig.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/  Email: lbarkman@smalldotbig.com 

How can employers retain people in the face of The Great Resignation job market phenomenon? Alisa Spector Angelo is the Owner and President of Compass Business Solutions, an HR consulting firm that takes a people first approach in driving organizational performance. Listen in as Laurie Barkman and Alisa talk about why it's more important than ever to put your company values into practice to drive retention and foster a healthy and productive work environment. Listen in to learn more about: Refreshing your pre-pandemic core values to match the current business environment Key human capital concerns as we navigate remote, hybrid and back-to-the-office work setups  Recruitment strategies for today's labor market Showing your people you value them through re-recruitment Spotting potential culture-killers in your organization   Show Links: Compass Resources website: https://compass-resources.com/ Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn Podcast website: SuccessionStories.com   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer or seller. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

All entrepreneurs will leave their company someday. What's your path to increasing your company's value? Steve Peplin, CEO of Talan Products, a $50 million manufacturing company, has achieved impressive growth. Listen in as Laurie Barkman and Steve discuss his secrets to success using enterprise value as a scorecard to improve the business. And how he thinks about the entrepreneurial journey, succession, and what comes next at a personal level.   Listen in to learn more about: The importance of talent acquisition, recruiting and retention in the current business landscape Building enterprise value from a buyer's perspective Continuous learning as a key part of succession planning Preparing for your next    Show Links: Steve Peplin LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steve-peplin-9095046/ Talan Products website:  https://www.talanproducts.com/ Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Podcast website: SuccessionStories.com   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer or seller. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter. Subscribe to Succession Stories to get all the weekly episodes!

Have you thought about who potential buyers of your company might be in the future? This week on Succession Stories, Laurie Barkman is joined by David Wible, CEO of Work.Software and former CEO of Industry Weapon, a company he sold in 2020. David shares his experience of selling his business, what made the sale successful, and why he started conversations five years prior to the actual sale. The key was understanding which value drivers mattered most.   Listen in to learn more about: The benefit of starting conversations with potential buyers before you're ready to sell Viewing a sale from the buyer's perspective How different kinds of businesses are valued differently Recurring revenue models  Creating clarity across departments with the value creation revenue metric   Show Links: David Wible on LinkedIn Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn Podcast website: SuccessionStories.com   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer or seller. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

As a business owner, exit planning is something that you only get one shot at. Have you considered growth through acquisitions as an exit plan? In this episode, Tim Scannell is joined by Laurie Barkman, founder of SmallDotBig to discuss growth through acquisitions as a means of succession and exit planning for business owners. Laurie … Continue reading 75. Learn How to Grow to Exit With Laurie Barkman →

It's never too early to have conversations on exiting your business. Whether you're looking to retire or pass the mantle to the next generation, it's important to understand the merger and acquisition process sooner than later. Listen in as Laurie Barkman and Miche Jean, CEO of Grotte Business Partners, discuss how to make your business ready for transition while readying yourself for your next chapter.     Listen in to learn more about: Clarifying the driving force behind your desire to sell Laying down your exit strategy  Why you should work with experts rather than go it alone when selling a business Being flexible during the merger and acquisition process   Show links: Miche Jean LinkedIn Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn Podcast website: SuccessionStories.com   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer or seller. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

How can business owners focus on enterprise value rather than short-term profits? Listen in as Laurie Barkman talks with Kevin Trout about preparing your business for sale. Kevin built Grandview Medical Resources with the intent to sell one day. Revenue growth was strong, but created too much risk in the business. Kevin shares some key decisions that he made to drive enterprise value and his reflections on what he would have done differently along the way. Today Kevin pays his experience forward as a Vistage Chair, advising high-performing executives and business owners on growing their businesses and enhancing their lives.    Listen in to learn more about: The importance of a Value Builder assessment in driving business value  Phases of a business growth cycle How to prepare your business for growth Building business value beyond revenue Three key things to consider when thinking of selling your company   Show Links: Kevin Trout LinkedIn Three Rivers Leadership Podcast - Laurie Barkman's appearance Vistage  Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn Podcast website: SuccessionStories.com   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig.   We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer or seller.   Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

Tricia Staible raised her hand to join the family business, Robinson Fans, and eventually became its sixth generation President. Tricia joined Laurie Barkman to discuss the importance of diversification for long-term growth, and how a culture of curiosity promotes innovation in a manufacturing environment.  While the company has grown and expanded with an acquisition, there was a time when its prospects weren't as bright. This ties well with Tricia's favorite quote about staying in the ring and moving forward despite the downsides that come your way.   Listen in to learn more about: Driving innovation in a manufacturing environment Finding stability even in the midst of crisis Adapting a mature business while protecting its legacy Incorporating core values into your business strategy    Show Links: Robinson Fans website Robinson Fans LinkedIn Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn Podcast website: SuccessionStories.com   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer or seller. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

How acquisitions fuel growth at a multi-generational company. Ben Grossman is the Co-President of the Grossman Marketing Group, a fourth generation business he co-leads with his brother. With sustainability as a key priority, they employ acquisition strategies as a platform for expansion. Listen in as Laurie Barkman talks with Ben about their approach to M&A, including how they source deals, build strong trust based relationships with sellers, and integrate those companies into their organization without losing what makes them special and unique. There's a ton of wisdom in this episode for NextGen leaders, and anyone on the buy-side of deals.   Listen in to learn more about: Advice for nextgens entering a family business Creating an acquisitions strategy How some M&A deals fit better than others Why fostering relationships with sellers is important for deal success   Show Links: Ben Grossman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bigrossman   Ben Grossman website:  http://bengrossman.info/   Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Podcast website: SuccessionStories.com   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer or seller. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

Did you know that 80% of mergers and acquisitions fail? An often overlooked yet critical aspect of M&A deals and transitions is the people factor. Jennifer Fondrevay, Founder of Day1 Ready, advises senior executives on how to plan for expected challenges. Listen in as Laurie Barkman talks with Jennifer about the emotional aspect of business transition, and how those emotions come into play for a newly merged organization. If you're anticipating a company transition in your future, listen in to learn more about how strategies around the human factor can drive greater success in M&A deals.   Listen in to learn more about: What to anticipate from your workforce when you announce an M&A deal Three key things to consider when buying or selling a business Benefits of a human capital-centric approach to M&A How to build confidence and synergy among different parties involved during a transition   Show Links: Jennifer Fondrevay on LinkedIn Harvard Business Review article Fast Company article Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn Podcast website: SuccessionStories.com   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!  

Listen in as Laurie Barkman talks with John Brown about taking an owner-centric approach to exit planning to achieve your financial goals and be rewarded with the lifestyle you desire. Only 20% of business owners have a formalized plan to transition ownership, but 100% will exit their company one day. John Brown, best selling exit planning author, started BEI in 1996 for the purpose of helping owners benefit from their lives' work by supporting business advisors who share the same vision.   Listen to learn more about: Working with a financial advisor for future planning What builds business value Why exit planning is business planning How an owner-centric approach to exit planning can help you achieve your transition goals Assessing obstacles to the exit scenario you've envisioned How to prevent transition plans from falling through   Show Links: BEI website: https://www.exitplanning.com/ Podcast website: SuccessionStories.com   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

Today on Podcasting Stories, we're talking with Laurie Barkman, founder of SmallDotBig, a strategic advisory firm that helps owners of small to mid-sized companies maximize enterprise value, create succession plans, and identify M&A strategies. We talked about her experience leading companies through successful exits as both the CEO and as an outside advisor. If you're the owner of a small to mid-sized company who is starting to think about an exit plan, I would highly recommend that you reach out to her. Laurie also has a podcast that she started in 2019 and has released more than 60 episodes. The podcast is called Succession Stories, and she interviews both companies that have gone through a successful exit, as well as the professional advisors that help this industry. We talked about why she launched the podcast, the lessons she's learned along the way, and what she would have done differently if she started today. She shared some great tips, and If you ever considered having your own podcast, this episode has a lot of great ideas for launching and maintaining a successful podcast. Even if you're not looking to start a podcast just yet, Laurie's deep insight into having a successful transition in your business is very valuable. LINKS Show Notes Be a Guest About YourPodcast.team About SmallDotBig About Succession Stories Podcast GUEST Laurie BarkmanAbout Laurie Special Guest: Laurie Barkman.

Reignite growth in your company by doing this one thing: Be curious. Rethink your assumptions about why people buy from you-- and why they don't. On this episode, Laurie Barkman talks with Dr. James Richardson, a professionally trained cultural anthropologist turned business strategist, about the importance of customer research. Understanding customer needs is a critical part of strategic planning and differentiating your business in an increasingly competitive market.    Listen in to learn more about: Approaching innovation from a customer-focused perspective Discovering potential product category issues through interaction with consumers Listening to consumers and driving innovation to address their concerns The 4Ps of strategic planning   Show Links: Premium Growth Solutions: https://link.premiumgrowthsolutions.com/SS Ramping Your Brand - Book: https://link.rampingyourbrand.com/SS  Podcast website: SuccessionStories.com   About: The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig. We'll help you maximize business value, plan your exit transition, and get rewarded for all of your hard work by finding the right buyer. Visit https://smalldotbig.com for more value building resources and subscribe to our newsletter!

How do I pinpoint a number that represents the value of my business? Is it too early to begin planning for a transition? Do I have the capital to begin planning? Can I maintain an active role in my company following my transition?Laurie Barkman, Business Transition Advisor and CEO & Founder of strategic advisory firm SmallDotBig, has made it her career's mission to answer these questions and more for small to mid-size business owners. Laurie visits Pittsburgh Business Insights to discuss her expertise as an exit planner and Certified Value Builder, the distinction between professional and personal readiness to sell, and her own podcast series' recent milestone.

In Africa, private businesses have just a 2% succession rate to the second generation, compared to 40% in the US. Helping owners achieve business success and lead their family organizations to long-term impact and legacy is a core focus for Nike Anani. With over a decade of family business expertise in Africa, Nike is creating a multinational network to help reverse this trend. Listen in as Laurie Barkman talks with Nike about bridging generational gaps to enable companies to successfully transition to the next generation.    Listen in to learn more about: Integrating into a family business as a next-gen Challenges facing generational transition in family businesses How African family businesses can enhance the rate of cross-generational succession Navigating the improvement of family businesses while maintaining stakeholder relationships   Show Links: Nike Anani's website: http://www.nikeanani.com/ African Family Firms: https://www.africanfamilyfirms.org/ Podcast website: SuccessionStories.com   The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Business Transition and M&A Advisor/Founder of SmallDotBig, a strategic advisory firm for closely held businesses anticipating a leadership or ownership transition in the future. For more info, or to connect with Laurie visit https://smalldotbig.com or lbarkman@smalldotbig.com

How does exit planning differ from succession planning for business owners? Laurie Barkman and Mike Silverman, Shareholder of Dentons Cohen & Grigsby, discuss the strategic benefits of business transition planning to maximize enterprise value and exit options. Listen in to learn more about the differences between exit and succession planning and importance for your business. Be sure to learn more about the Business Advisory Group-- a collaborative approach to exit and succession planning for business owners-- and how they can help you get started.   Listen in to learn more about: The difference between an Exit Plan and a Succession Plan Why it's important to design and implement these plans as a business owner The strategic benefits of internal transactions The pros and cons of different exit options The financial implications of your succession and exit strategies   Show Links: Business Advisory Group    Contact Michael Silverman: msilverman@CohenLaw.com   Clearing Blurred Lines of Business Transition with Chris Chaney, Succession Stories E22    Maximizing Value: The Key to Your Business Exit - Webinar Replay Video     The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Business Transition and M&A Advisor/Founder of SmallDotBig, a strategic advisory firm for closely held businesses anticipating a leadership or ownership transition in the future. For more info, or to connect with Laurie visit https://smalldotbig.com or lbarkman@smalldotbig.com

For many business owners, selling your company is typically a once in a lifetime transaction. But it's hard to know how it all works until you're in it. On this episode, Laurie Barkman talks with M&A and boutique investment banker, Dave Eichenlaub from Confluence Advisors, about deal dynamics and what makes a business ready for sale. They explore what can make or sink a deal, and the role of trusted advisors to help bring it all together. Listen in to learn more about: What deal dynamics emerged during the pandemic and potential impacts on activity this year Timing considerations for a typical merger and acquisition process and what can sink a deal The role of trusted advisors in a potential M&A transaction and when they should be consulted What makes a business ready for sale Forward thinking and pre-planning for a future transition to be successful   Show Links: Confluence Advisors website: http://www.confluenceadvisorsllc.com/   Confluence Advisors on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/confluence-advisors-llc/ Laurie Barkman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ SmallDotBig website https://www.smalldotbig.com    If you're interested in selling your business, or acquiring a company, take the next step to request a confidential meeting with Succession Stories Podcast host, Laurie Barkman: https://smalldotbig.com/schedule-an-initial-call   Here's to your success! Laurie Barkman Host, Succession Stories Podcast Business Transition and M&A Advisor lbarkman@smalldotbig.com 

Laurie Barkman is joined by Kevin Urrutia, CEO of Voy Media, and co-founder of Maid Sailor, a NYC cleaning services company that he sold last year. Kevin details his experience in building the business from scratch, running it for six years with his brother, and having an exit amidst the pandemic.    Listen in to learn more about: How a fearless, willing-to-learn mindset can fuel success Why you should use a scalable training model when building your business Benefits of productizing your service  How recurring models can boost your cash flow and help scale your business faster   Show Links: Kevin Urrutia Twitter: https://twitter.com/danest   Laurie Barkman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ SmallDotBig website https://www.smalldotbig.com    If you're interested in selling your business, or acquiring a company, take the next step to request a confidential meeting with Succession Stories Podcast host, Laurie Barkman: https://smalldotbig.com/schedule-an-initial-call   Here's to your success! Laurie Barkman Host, Succession Stories Podcast Business Transition and M&A Advisor lbarkman@smalldotbig.com 

Listen in to this special "What's Next" episode as Laurie Barkman talks with Hal Riley, team captain for the World's Toughest Race Eco Challenge in Fiji 2020. Hal led a team of disabled veterans and civilians who competed against 65 other teams to go across 400 miles of dense jungles, steep mountains, winding rivers, oceans and dangerous swamps. An incredible experience full of extra challenges. Hal shares many life, business and leadership lessons from the journey: - looking for moments to take chances even if you won't win - how not to pack your fears - decision making under stress and ambiguity   Show Links: https://ecochallenge.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/halriley/     Succession Stories Podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, CEO of SmallDotBig. Bringing entrepreneurs and business owners insights to grow your company and develop exit transition strategies.   Learn how we can help you maximize enterprise value, create succession plans, and identify M&A strategies, visit: https://smalldotbig.com   Follow Succession Stories on social media: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/succession-stories-podcast   YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQIsTkq5fwerkhEovBUiJJA 

Laurie Barkman talks with Dr. JT Kostman, CEO of ProtectedBy.AI and global expert in Artificial Intelligence and Psychology. JT's unique story began as a homeless nine year old in New York City. During the early part of his career, JT dedicated his life to rescuing others as a paramedic, deep-sea diver, police, and US Army Special Forces. Eventually, that led to a career using data intelligence to protect lives. As a Data Scientist, Mathematician, and Psychologist, he is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading experts in applied artificial intelligence and cognitive computing. In the corporate sector, JT developed solutions for large companies like Digitas, Time Inc, and Samsung. Now as a global entrepreneur, his focus is enabling small and mid-size companies to use data to protect and transform their businesses. It’s an incredible “what’s next” story that is sure to inspire.    Show links: Dr JT Kostman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtkostman/ ProtectedBy.Ai Website: https://protectedby.ai/ Laurie Barkman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/   Stay connected with Succession Stories, and follow us for content updates and events: SmallDotBig.com Succession Stories on LinkedIn    Subscribe to the Succession Stories Podcast and please share a rating and review!

Laurie Barkman is joined by Julie Ann Sullivan, an international best-selling author, speaker, and business culture expert. What’s the big “why” around company culture?   First it’s dollars. Morale and attitudes affect employee productivity, which can negatively affect your customer service, quality, reputation, and ultimately your profits. The other “why” is related to succession. You need a good culture for your company to thrive without you one day. Listen in for actionable ideas for creating a positive and productive culture in your business.   Show links: julieannsullivan.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieannsullivan   Subscribe to the podcast and connect with Succession Stories host, Laurie Barkman at SmallDotBig.com