Business transition is complicated.  Whether your plan is to sell your company outright, or run it with “professional” management, you have to carefully position it.  In many cases, strengthening the organization and the management team will improve the desirability of the enterprise and as a result its price.  Doing so will likely improve its performance as well.  In any event, planning for the future and strengthening the organization is a prudent strategy.

Here is a sketch of the planning process:

• Owner’s objectives (short and long term)
• Business health analysis (competitive landscape, market positioning, financial strength, gaps)
• Organizational analysis (who is in place, how strong are they, what are the gaps)
• Organizational plan (a sketch of the organization when it is running itself, or when it is sold)
• Development of Owner’s role going forward (if he or she will continue to own)
• Hiring plan (who, what, when)
• HR structures assessment (analysis of culture, performance management processes, succession planning)
• Recruiting, assimilation, preparing organization for new leadership

I can help you with any or all of these steps.