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by Member Experience on March 4, 2019
Last year, EPI introduced the Power Sessions at the Exit Planning Summit in Nashville! Inspired by TED, the global community bringing you ‘ideas worth sharing,’ seven speakers from diverse areas of expertise took the main stage and delivered hyperfocused talks that challenged the advisory community in attendance to tackle common industry pitfalls head on. Following the proven principles found in a great ‘TED talk,’ the Summit hosted it’s first ever two-hour “Power Session” with seven short, powerful speeches that challenge your world view on very specific, relevant, and compelling topics (which passing out power snacks, super food, and smoothies to help stimulate the mind and body while expanding your world view)! [explore 2018 speakers]
Who is actually the most trusted advisor? Sadly, no one.
Despite popular belief across the professional services industry, being deemed the “most trusted advisor” does mean that an owner will seek or trust that person’s advice when it comes to their most nurtured, prized, and significant asset: THE BUSINESS. In fact, many owners tend to pigeonhole even the best advisors as just a “numbers guy” versus a risk-taking, entrepreneur like them. And because an owner buys into the fallacy that the CPA, wealth advisor, attorney, or another expert does not understand what it feels like to make hard business decisions and sacrifices, the transition and exit readiness advice of said “trusted advisor” loses impact and meaning (regardless of how sound and needed the advice is).
When asked face-to-face “Who do you trust the most when it comes to getting business advice?,” the majority of owners said,
“Just me. When it comes to any hard decision, I trust myself more than anyone else.”
More proof that it is lonely at the top. However, as we discussed further and dug deeper into the owner mindset, it became evident that most owners have a proverbial “empty seat” that sits across the desk from them. This vacancy represents an opportunity for advisors like you to evolve with the changing times and reengineering your relationship with business owners to showcase what you have in common, build credibility, showcase your leadership, and accelerate successful exits.
September 2019: Filling the Empty Seat Across the Table
EPI is pleased to announce the theme for the 2019 EPI Power Sessions to be held in San Antonio, Texas this September 23: The Empty Seat: Reengineering Your Relationship with the Business Owner.
Just like in the inaugural year, each speaker will give an 18-minute (or less) speech that embodies a core quality persona that directly relates to the theme of evolving and connecting more effectively with entrepreneurs. Our speakers will cover six core topics in the following competencies:
- The Motivator: Confidence, charisma, ambition, speaking, likeability, and drive…harnessing and developing these qualities can create more opportunities while deepening client loyalty.
- The Demonstrator: The proof is in the pudding. Demonstration of results is the difference between idea guys and game changers. Become skilled at showcasing proof of accomplishments and capabilities that matter to an entrepreneur.
- The Communicator: Your best ideas and advice are worth nothing if you can’t get spark execution throughout an organization via the owner and his/her team. Learn the art of listening, paraphrasing, and presenting ideas that build credibility and trust.
- The Connector: Building an elite network enables you to tell an owner facing a problem “I know a guy” has many benefits and boosts credibility. This is a skill set that can be learned from someone who knows how to build an A-team.
- The Servant Leader: Leadership is one of the most popular topics in the business community and there are many schools of thought as to how to achieve results when dealing in difficult situations.
- The Common Ground: People spend time and money where they feel good. And owners want to work with people they like. So, what is the leading factor as to why people like each other? Sameness and familiarity. Zero in on what makes you and business owners the same and see a difference in your interactions immediately.
Call for Presenters:
It is the second year of Power Sessions at the Exit Planning Summit and we want to give experts and speakers from across the community a chance to submit your speaking proposal for one of the areas listed above (or another persona that you feel fits “The Empty Seat” theme!). If you are interested in taking the main stage this September in San Antonio, please reach out to Brooke Norman, EPI Vice President of Marketing, past 2018 Power Session Speaker “The Marketer,” to have your proposal reviewed by the Summit committee. Submissions must be received by March 15!
Attend the Exit Planning Summit.
The Exit Planning Summit, powered by the thought leaders at the Exit Planning Institute, is the “Super Bowl” for Exit Planning Experts, Advisors, and Middle Market Business Owners. It contains the best content taught by top experts in the marketplace. The Summit brings together 200 of the top CEPAs a part of EPI, combined with other leading advisors, thought leaders, and partners within the exit planning space. Early bird deadlines end soon. Visit www.ExitPlanningConference.com to review past moments and what you have to look forward to in 2019. Register now.
More than a credentialing company.
“This Methodology is Going to Supercharge My Practice!” -Justin Goodbread, CEPA, CFP®
Official ‘Exit Planning’ Definition: Exit planning combines the plan, concept, effort, and process into a clear, simple strategy to build a business that is transferable through strong human, structural, customer, and social capital. The future of the business owner, his/her family, and the business itself are addressed by exit planning through creating value today.
Exit planning is not just a plan (or a keyed-in report to print out for an owner). It is a strategy rooted in execution that grows value while expanding options so that an owner can transition the business on his/her terms when they are ready. It aligns the business, personal, and financial needs of the owner. Good exit planning utilizes the Value Acceleration Methodology™ to move clients through discovery, prepare, and decide gates. Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA) educate the owner on all of the exit options and enters an engagement with an exit-option-agnostic perspective as to truly serve the business owner’s diverse needs. CEPAs collaborate with a seasoned, multi-disciplinary team of professionals to support the success of the business owner and use each other’s specialties and expertise to the benefit of the project. [view the award-winning methodology]
“Why did I earn CEPA when I already had an exit planning designation? Simple, the network. The quality of the EPI advisor network is unmatched.” -Paul Meyer, CEPA, CBEC
Do you consider your COIs or your referral network as the #1 source for new business? Look no further for your next membership affiliation. Formed in 2005 to serve educational and resource needs of financial planners and wealth managers, CPA/accountants, attorneys, commercial lenders, M&A advisors and business brokers, management consultants and other business advisors, the Exit Planning Institute is considered the standard trendsetter in the field of exit planning across the globe. It is the only organization that offers the Certified Exit Planning Advisor Program (CEPA) and qualifies for continuing education credits with twelve major professional associations, making it the most widely accepted and endorsed professional exit planning program in the world. [find a CEPA in your area]
“As a CPA, nothing is more important than exit planning.” -Bill Kenedy, CPA/ABV, CFF, CEPA
Our founders paved the way for the organization we are today. In the past three years alone, EPI has grown by more than ten times. We support and enable thousands of professional advisors who are leading the way in their local marketplaces across the globe. We invite you to join the community and experience the EPI difference.
We are powered by a dedicated staff, industry experts, and market leaders, that are passionate about providing top professional advisors the best industry content, ongoing practice support, and owner education resources. From humble beginnings, EPI has grown to become the exit planning market leader while staying focused and true to our mission. We are an education company that certifies and supports more than 900 CEPAs (and counting) as well as thousands of advisors worldwide through national, regional, chapter, and virtual education. Explore our history and make plans to play a part in our future. [explore the EPI history timeline snapshot]
“You want to have the best credential in the industry. So my advice is that you have to go with Exit Planning Institute.” -Vincent Mastrovito, CEPA, CBEC
Do you want help in an increasingly commoditized or oversaturated marketplace? Do you want just another designation for your business card or do you want the credentialing education that helps you adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing industry? You’ve come to the right place.
The Exit Planning Institute creates an exit planning “ecosystem,” and due to the diverse nature of exit planning, EPI has fostered a hyper-engaged exit planning community. This community includes CEPAs, other collaborative advisors, strategic alliance partners, academicians, the media, and business owners from across the globe made up of 15 countries, 44 U.S. States and representing over a dozen different professional disciplines. To serve this elite and cross-functional community on one major platform, EPI produces the best content as it relates to exit planning, succession planning, and value acceleration, provides ongoing advisor support and practice development, and creates connectivity to transitioning business owners. [connect with us today]
Explore the unmatched professional development experience and gain your next competitive edge in 2019.
The Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) Program is the most widely endorsed and accepted exit planning designation in the marketplace today. Experience the EPI difference and determine if earning the CEPA designation is the next strategic move for you to reinvent yourself in a changing marketplace. Visit www.EarnCEPA.com today.
