You have worked hard to build a business and a reputation. Along
the way, you will have encountered and survived a range of
challenges – even thrived. There might have been a measure of
luck to your success, but more likely it is the result of a
combination of factors including having a business plan (even if
informal), sticking to it where appropriate and being wise and
nimble enough to adapt as needed, possibly with some assistance
from professional advisors now and again.
Without realizing it, you were doing a form of business
succession planning all along because you were planning to succeed.
Succession planning is not about planning to retire and die.
Instead, succession planning is about putting in place systems and
procedures so that you are always succession ready. This puts you
in the best position to recognize and seize opportunities that meet
your objectives and timing – not someone else's.
