National Read a Book Day
National Read a Book Day, September 6th, is a great opportunity for you as a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) to slow down and brush up on your exit planning knowledge. Thankfully, there are ample opportunities in the space to truly dive deep with insightful, actionable, and peer-authored exit planning books. From personal planning to retirement to culture, these books cover every topic, empowering you to build up your knowledge and become a better advisor.
The Value Acceleration Methodology™ Handbook
When it comes to preparing for the future for your business owner clients, few resources are as essential as Walking to Destiny: 11 Actions an Owner Must Take to Rapidly Grow Value & Unlock Wealth by Exit Planning Institute® (EPI) CEO Christopher Snider. This handbook introduces the Value Acceleration Methodology™ (VAM), a proven framework that helps business owners align their business, personal, and financial goals.
Walking to Destiny introduces the practical approach of VAM and details every step of the journey, including the Discover, Prepare, and Decide gates. Christopher lays out the exact steps business owners and CEPAs can take to accelerate business value, prepare for transition, and ultimately achieve financial freedom. Whether years away from an exit or just starting to think about it, Walking to Destiny can help the advisor and owner see the big picture and take concrete action to start the journey today.
Must-Read Exit Planning Books
If you’re ready to keep learning beyond Walking to Destiny, there are several other exit planning books that can guide your journey. On our Recommended Reads page, you’ll find a curated list of resources designed to help you think differently about business ownership, accelerating value, leadership, succession, and more. Included are valuable books like Your Baby’s Ugly by Thought Leadership Council member and CEPA Justin Goodbread, Finish Strong by Cornerstone’s Scott Bushkie, Ready to Rise by EPI 2025 Thought Leader of the Year Renee Russo, and many more.
From strategies on building transferable value to insights on personal wealth planning, these books offer tools and perspectives every owner and advisor should have in their tool kit.
How to Read with Purpose
Reading an exit planning book is a great start, but the real value happens when you put those insights into practice. With the hustle of everyday life, it can be easy to set a book down and forget everything you’ve read. Here are a few strategies to help you read with purpose:
- Take notes with action in mind. Instead of underlining everything, jot down one or two steps you can apply in your practice right away.
- Discuss what you’ve learned. Share insights with your team to create accountability and fresh ideas.
- Translate lessons into goals. If a chapter sparks an idea, set a timeline for implementing it.
- Revisit key sections. Some books are worth more than a single read. Go back and reapply concepts as your business evolves.
Your Story Starts Today
As advisors, the insights you gain from exit planning resources are only valuable if you put them to work for yourself and the clients you serve. Reading books like Walking to Destiny or exploring the Exit Planning Institute’s recommended reads equips you with practical strategies to help business owners grow value, plan transitions, and achieve their personal, financial, and business goals.
Your role is critical. You can help clients translate concepts into actionable steps, avoid common pitfalls, and create a clear roadmap for their business and personal future. By guiding them through this process, you not only protect the value they’ve built but also strengthen your relationship as a trusted advisor. The knowledge is the foundation, but your guidance turns it into results.
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