Are Business Owners Ready for An Exit Planning Conversation?

The 8th Annual Business Owners Forum

How do you start the exit planning conversation with a business owner? Typically, advisors must start by educating owners about exit planning, its importance, and how it can improve the value of their business. However, imagine how much easier this exit planning conversation would be if owners were already open to the idea of exit planning and understood the value. A more educated owner becomes a better client, and ultimately a better business owner. 

Join Exit Planning Institute and the EPI Greater New York Chapter for our 8th Annual Business Owners Forum on Tuesday, October 19! Learn about the trials and tribulations of owning, managing, and exiting a business from two great speakers. We will be joined by the former CEO of Toys “R” Us and the founder of the Value Builder System™. You will also be the first to hear our latest exit planning research! 

What is a Business Owners Forum?

A Business Owners Forum is an educational event for business owners and their key partners. They will hear from expert speakers in the fields of business strategy, exit planning, succession planning, and marketplace trends. These events attract 100+ entrepreneurs and established owners every year to learn and grow their understanding of how to create an attractive and ready business so you can exit when you want and on your own terms. 

We are thrilled to host the 8th Annual Owners Forum with the EPI Greater New York Chapter. This event will be virtual and available for all business owners and their exit planning advisory teams to attend. 

New State of Owner Readiness Research 

We are excited to release a new regional State of Owner Readiness Report for the first time since the Nebraska Report in 2019. We recently conducted research on business owners in the greater New York region to measure their readiness and attractiveness in terms of exiting their business. 

This year’s research shows different results than any State of Owner Readiness data we have collected! Attendees will be the first to receive the report, learn how to apply the results to their practice, and gain valuable information about emerging client markets. 

Exit Planning Institute President, Scott Snider, shares, “Most of the owners that took the survey have indicated they are 49 years old or younger! The data is beginning to show us that these owners are ready for an exit conversation. What are you doing to engage your business? Do you have the right knowledge and process? Are you having the right conversations? Are you teamed with the right people?”

Learn from Industry Experts

During this Owners Forum, attendees will hear inspiring and insightful stories from two leaders about the process of building your business and getting it ready for sale. Meet our featured speakers:

Warren Kornblum

Warren Kornblum is an engaging, motivational and inspirational keynote presenter when it comes to topics including Branding, Emotional Marketing (he calls it “Share of Heart”), and Corporate Motivation. His talks have received rave reviews with audiences from 100 to 2,500 making him one of the most requested marketing presenters.

Kornblum is the former Global Chief Marketing Officer for then Fortune 100 retailer Toys “R” Us where he was responsible for all the company’s brands internationally. He served on the Toys “R” Us Executive Committee for over five years. Warren has firsthand experience in dealing with change, managing a world-class brand, and strives to provide unique insights into how all facets of an organization should take ownership of its brand.

His accomplishments at Toys “R” Us include the recreation of “Geoffrey” the spokes-giraffe, being on the leadership team that created the company’s flagship store in New York City’s Times Square, and leading marketing and communication endeavors for all “R” Us portfolio companies. Kornblum left Toys “R” Us in 2004 when the company went from public to private equity ownership.

After Toys “R” Us:

Since that time he has been busy consulting global enterprises, speaking as well as serving as Chief Strategic Officer for Rooms To Go. A privately held and generally considered the most innovative and successful retailer in the home furnishings industry.

Prior to his retail and corporate careers, Warren started and sold his own ad agency and became the managing partner at Bozell Worldwide which was one of the largest ad agencies in the world at that time. He is a marketing master and has won many Cleo awards. An annual award program that recognizes innovation and creative excellence in advertising

During our Owners Forum, Warren will share stories about his days at Toys “R” Us and how he helped them regain prominence before they sold the company to a Private Equity firm.

John Warrillow

John Warrillow is the founder of The Value Builder System™, simple software for building the value of a company used by thousands of businesses worldwide. The Value Builder System™ incorporates several diagnostic tools, including the Value Builder Score. Those businesses that achieve a Value Builder Score of 90 or greater are worth double the average-performing business.

His best-selling book Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You was recognized by both Fortune and Inc. as one of the best business books of 2011 and has been translated into 12 languages. John is the host of Built to Sell Radio, ranked by Forbes as one of the world’s 10 best podcasts for business owners. In 2015, John wrote another best-selling book, The Automatic Customer: Creating a Subscription Business in Any Industry. John completes the trilogy with his latest book, The Art of Selling Your Business: Winning Strategies & Secret Hacks for Exiting on Top. Prior to founding The Value Builder System, he started and exited four companies, including one acquired by a public company.

During our Owners Forum, John will share insights from his award-winning book, Built to Sell, and share how the Value Builder System™ helps business owners understand the value in their business.   

Register for the Virtual Event

As a business owner or a professional advisor, understanding exit planning is paramount for the ultimate success of your business. By attending our 8th Annual Owners Forum on October 19, from 10 AM – 11:30 AM ET, you will gain instrumental knowledge about owner readiness, exit planning trends, and hear case studies from two industry experts.

We are excited to share that this event will be virtual! Advisors and business owners from across the globe can attend from the comfort of their own homes or office! 

Register for this FREE virtual event and begin to grow value in your business!