Gordon Bell has a big idea for all of the inaugural Circle of Excellence inductees.
“We could write a book, all of us together,” Gordon – or Gord as we know him – says. “My chapter would be about vision and journey.”
You see, getting Gord to admit that he might deserve the spotlight on just himself for a moment is a difficult task. Even his idea—each of the Circle of Excellence inductees writing their own chapter of a collective book project—promises to downplay the former Exit Planner of the Year’s contributions to the field of exit planning.
And the topic—vision and journey—would be filled not with his own experiences or advice, but thoughtful questions for the reader to consider, to help them develop.
A Unique Approach
As owner of The Midland Group in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Gord advises clients with revenues ranging from $10 million to $5 billion. He developed the Advanced Value Enhancement Solutions program, guiding clients in building, growing, and exiting their businesses. A former EPI faculty member, he is best known for his “Next Best Step” approach, a value acceleration methodology.
And it’s through that focus on others rather than himself that has propelled his career to the heights he’s experienced.
“Early in my career, I would ask questions that would naturally lead conversations to the solutions I could provide people,” Gord says. “Now, I take more time to ask people about their vision, and where they think they are in their journey.”
Insights and Philosophy
Gord’s career as an exit planning advisor is characterized by profound insights and principled perspectives. Here are foundational elements of his approach:
Humble Thyself
“My view of exit planning is grounded in scripture. Wealth belongs to God. We just have to be good stewards.”
Fair's Fair
“Being a good exit planning advisor isn’t about getting the highest price: it’s about a fair price and fair terms. If you run the process and do the work, you should get a premium.”
Serving Up Strategy
“My style of leadership is servant leadership. Leaders should have a loving heart while creating a culture that inspires others to strive for excellence.”
Taking Complements
“Always have a handful of CEPAs to complement your practice. When a client says, ‘I need help in X area,’ I always want to be able to recommend three people.”
Time to Reflect
“Here I am, 76 years old. And I’m still wondering: how can we—CEPAs—as a group help others with our collective experiences?”
Intangibles Matter
“Being a good exit planner means being loving, caring, and inspirational. It’s not about me as the advisor. It’s about helping people pursue their passions.”
About the Circle of Excellence
The Circle of Excellence—a new yearly recognition of the people who have created the exit planning profession—is meant to acknowledge the people who have built community and the body of knowledge we all use to advise business owners.
In our inaugural year, we inducted nine members to the Circle of Excellence at the 2024 Exit Planning Summit. Throughout 2024, we’ll profile each of them to highlight their contributions to the field of exit planning.
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