Entrepreneurs and Exits
Many entrepreneurs get trapped trying to solve their business problems with complex solutions. In reality, even the most complicated challenges can be solved with simple strategies. As an entrepreneur, whether you pass on your company to family or you sell it to a sophisticated buyer, you will eventually exit your business. Before you think about exiting your business, ensure you have the right systems and processes in place to avoid disruption. In this session, founder of align5 and CEO of Scaling Up Coaches, John Ratliff discusses the importance of thinking strategically about exits.
Key Takeaways
Learn the top things you need to know before closing a strategic sale.
Develop a great exit strategy mindset – start thinking about it from the very first day.
Ensure your company can scale without you with the right systems and processes in place.
Empower employees to deliver on your brand experience
About John Ratliff
John Ratliff is currently the founder of align5, a strategic consultancy and co-working space in West Chester, PA and the CEO of Scaling Up Coaches. John is also Managing Director at STS Capital Partners.
With over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, CEO and investment banker, John co-founded align5 in 2013 (in partnership with STS Capital) to advise growth company entrepreneurs and family enterprises on a variety of strategic issues including sell-side and buy-side in Mergers and Acquisitions.
In his role at Scaling Up Coaches, John leverages years of business experience and relationships with thought leaders to grow a dynamic community of coaches that collectively advise over 2,500 companies worldwide.
John was also the founder and CEO of Appletree Answers, a telephone answering service company he started in 1995. He grew the company organically by implementing strategies from Rockefeller Habits 2.0 (the Scaling Up methodology) and through a series of acquisitions resulting in 24 U.S. locations and 650 employees. John sold Appletree Answers to a strategic buyer in June 2012. John is passionate about strategy, company culture and employee engagement. It was that focus on culture that propelled Appletree to record growth and profitability and ultimately drove a strategic valuation style exit.
John is a member of the YPO Philadelphia chapter since 2007, the EO Philadelphia chapter since 2004 and is a graduate of the Birthing of Giants class of 2008. He is active in Virgin Unite, a charitable foundation created by Sir Richard Branson. John is an avid pilot with well over 5,000 hours in the air. He currently enjoys flying his TBM850 Turboprop for both work and pleasure.
Download John Ratliff’s book Seven Traps Sophisticated Buyers Deploy Against Unwary Seller.