What is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?
During peak season, summertime can often feel almost unbearably hot, depending on your location in the world. It might even seem like a meltdown is just about to happen.
For business owners, the intense heat of their future exit is always near, and it can sometimes make them feel like the relentless pressure is getting to them. That is where the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) comes in. A CEPA is a credentialed advisor who serves as the primary person on all aspects of Value Acceleration Methodology™ for the business owner. An exit planning advisor is an advisor to a business owner that is skilled at aligning business, personal, and financial goals to grow company of significance, ensure a successful transition at the point of exit, and more profitable and better company for the owner today.
Exit planning through the Value Acceleration Methodology empowers the owner, with the CEPA by their side, to maximize the value of their most valuable asset—their business. These ideas are explained in more detail in Walking to Destiny: 11 Steps an Owner MUST Take To Rapidly Grow Value & Unlock Wealth, the Value Acceleration handbook written by Exit Planning Institute® (EPI) CEO Christopher Snider.
Why a Business Owner Needs a CEPA
When you get hot during the summer, you can always cool off with a quick dip in the pool or a trip to the beach, chill with some central air, or enjoy a tasty iced drink to lower your temperature. There isn't an easy fix for the heat of an impending exit, but the good news is that today, there are over 8,000 CEPAs worldwide ready to step in and help business owners cool things down.
CEPAs not only focus on the owner's financial goals but also work hard to align these with their personal and business objectives. Using the Three Legs of the Stool concept, CEPAs, together with a dedicated exit planning team, can develop a satisfying exit plan for the owner.
Exiting a business is a very emotional process. For many older owners, this might be their final step before retirement. The pressure to achieve a financially and emotionally rewarding exit can feel overwhelming. A CEPA takes a comprehensive and personal approach to the Value Acceleration process, knowing the owner on a personal level. Like a cool breeze on a hot day, the CEPA offers relief through their dedicated commitment to value growth, owner readiness, business attractiveness, and post-exit owner satisfaction.
How to Get Connected
EPI offers a wide range of valuable resources designed to assist advisors in multiple aspects of their professional development. Not only does EPI support advisors in obtaining their CEPA designation, but it also provides ongoing education to deepen their knowledge of exit planning strategies. EPI Academy features a variety of courses that are regularly updated to reflect the latest trends and insights in the field, ensuring advisors stay current and well-informed. Additionally, the annual Exit Planning Summit serves as a prime opportunity for networking, learning, and sharing best practices with industry peers, further enhancing expertise in Value Acceleration.
For business owners, DriveValue.com is a particularly useful resource. It offers practical tools and insights to help understand and implement Value Acceleration techniques within their operations. The platform emphasizes best practices that can be integrated into daily business activities to optimize growth, efficiency, and ultimately, the value of their companies.
While the summer heat can be relentless, there's always a refreshing breeze on the way to bring relief. Stay prepared and cool with a CEPA to continue your Value Acceleration journey and get the most out of this season of your life.
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