Take your practice to new heights through world-class training that will help your clients succeed and ultimately grow your own business.
For professionals looking to maximize their success in the business advisory world, getting certified in succession planning is essential for unlocking a wide range of opportunities.
Not only will the Certified Succession Planner help professionals stand out from the competition and boost their revenue, but it will also enable them to serve their clients from the sought-after "Quarterback" role at the highest level.
"I took the training and I would say that the Succession Matrix is more applicable today in that there has been a significant uptick in the transition of closely held businesses. The “greying of America” as well as the repercussions from the pandemic has accelerated the exit strategies of many business owners. It also helps that the economy has been booming for the last few years.
High multiples plus burned-out owners equals early exits.
The economy is starting to slow down, but the baby boomers are still exiting in droves, so succession planning is high on most business owners' lists."
The Certified Succession Planner curriculum provides an in-depth understanding of the Succession Matrix, a collection of complex family, financial, personal, and management dynamics that impact business longevity and success. Understanding these dynamics positions you to identify and facilitate complex issues that arise in the succession planning process of a business.
Is it time to expand your skills and offer more services to your clients for their long term success?
Succession is dependent upon success. Therefore, for succession to be an option, there must be a good foundation for business success to fulfill the dream of succession. However, a complication to identifying or achieving success is that we all define success differently. And adding to the complexity, there are six fundamental approaches to measuring business value. "Defining Succession Success" discusses varying definitions of success, how they impact an owner's attitudes toward family, employees, and the community, and how they influence business planning and value.
Succession is dependent upon success. Therefore, for succession to be an option, there must be a good foundation for business success to fulfill the dream of succession. However, a complication to identifying or achieving success is that we all define success differently. And adding to the complexity, there are six fundamental approaches to measuring business value. "Defining Succession Success™ discusses varying definitions of success, how they impact an owner's attitudes toward family, employees, and the community, and how they influence business planning and value.
The study of succession planning starts with Owner Motivation and Perspective as it influences all business operations and planning areas. The owner's views determine the succession planning direction, options, and opportunities. More succinctly expressed, Owner Motivation and Perspective represent both the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end of business succession planning.
A fundamental succession planning consideration involves progressively utilizing the fruits of business success to achieve personal financial independence from the business. The accumulation of financial resources enables a business owner to become free of credit guarantees, initiate an exit strategy, and empower succession by transferring leadership and control of the business to partners, family members, or key manager successors.
Business structuring has a direct impact upon tax on profits, gifts, sales and, ultimately, cash flow to shareholders. These issues in turn impact financial security of owners, strategic planning resources, ownership agreements, and estate planning.
Succession planning demands attention to business performance and therefore increases business value. Enhanced business performance benefits family members, employees, managers, and vendors.
A foundational long-term initiative, the confirmation of a comprehensive succession strategy is a fundamental component of strategic planning. Strategic planning confirms operational strengths and weaknesses and evaluates resources relative to the achievement of priorities. A predictable priority of a business owner is the continuation of success, business succession.
The identification, motivation and retention of highly qualified supporting managers and development of bench strength are essential to maintaining the viability of succession plans. Therefore, the development and constant regeneration of a management culture that can sustain and enhance historical success is imperative to succession.
Business succession is a reasonable business goal that requires collaborative interaction (teamwork) to effectively address the diverse challenges of the interdependent factors of the Succession Matrix. The call for team synergy includes ownership, supporting family members, partners, aspiring successors, key managers, employees, vendors, suppliers, and advisors. However, teamwork is not a natural behavior among competitive, ambitious, and aggressive parties that aspire to be recognized for their achievements.
Moving the business to and through the next generation requires available, capable, competent and committed successors who will provide leadership through the transition.
Family relationships can be an inherent advantage or disadvantage to succession planning. Effective interaction among the family members of current and/or prospective business owners is critical to achieving the unity and harmony needed to address complex business succession issues.
“Families” come in all forms, shapes and sizes including in-laws, cousins, children, step children, business partners and employees. Establishing the forums and processes for optimal family communication regarding business and estate issues provides the foundation for a unified succession vision and builds a strong business that can be sustained through multiple generations.
Get certified and become the "go to" advisor you clients go to for issues impacting their busienss goals.
This initial price offering will be available for a limited time to a select number of participants prior to the official launch
Buy NowThis initial price offering will be available for a limited time to a select number of participants prior to the official launch
Buy NowOctober to December, 2022:
Pre-launch founders offers
From October to December in 2022, we offered a highly discounted rate to a select group of partners and associations as part of our pre-launch strategy. In exchange for the discount, we are soliciting feedback from participants during to ensure we create the best content and resources possible prior to launch in September 2023. We will also be requesting testimonials and case studies for those who apply the training to take their practice to new heights. Our team has been working hard to develop the right program materials and activities to make the program a success.
January, 2023:
Expanded founding members offer to first 50 participants
Through our networks, we have been spreading the news and soliciting feedback. We now have the founding members pricing available for the first 50 people who want to get early access and be a part of the program as it develops. Our clients and partners have been excited to take part in this exclusive offer.
January 31, 2023:
Program launches with first modules
Participants will be granted access to the introductory modules of the Certified Succession Planner program to get started on their learning. This will be a continuous enrolment model, so learners can enroll anytime and work through the material.
February to June 2023 :
Monthly module releases
Each month, participants will be dripped new content and modules and will be notified via email when that content is released. We will also be consistently soliciting and open to receiving any feedback on improving the program and deliverables.
August to September 2023:
Official full program goes live
Through 2023, we want to celebrate the success of our beta groups and ensure the program provides value to all current and future learners. We will then begin to market to a wider audience and help impact succession planning globally through training.
September 2023 Onwards:
Developing additional resources, including ISPA membership offerings
We believe in the value of ongoing training and development, and many of our past clients and members have asked about additional resources, especially a monthly or yearly membership to stay current and best serve their clients. We will work together with our board, program participants, and focus groups to create a platform that helps our members succeed.
We know that learning online can be tough sometimes, which is why we brought in experts in virtual training to help us build more than just videos over powerpoint. You will have a wide variety of methods to learn including videos, interactive lessons, quizzes, and surveys. Our goal is to ensure that you grow through the learning, not just go through it.
The Certified Succession Planner program will be delivered on-demand and as a continuous enrollment model which means you can enroll any time and learn at your convenience.
Training has been developed by the Authors and Contributors of numerous succession planning textbooks and training programs. Additionally, the ISPA Board has contributed feedback, time, and resources to help ensure the success of the programs. Learn more about the ISPA and team here.
The program does not have any deliverables for you to complete and submit directly to the ISPA, however as you go along, you will need to demonstrate your comprehension through ongoing competency tests which will allow you to progress further.
You can expect that each module should take you approximately 1-2 weeks to complete, depending on the time you put in. We suggest you commit to 1-2 hours per day and around 10-15 hours per module in total. We also understand that each learner will work at their own pace.
The topics covered in the Certified Succession Planner program are not entry-level, meaning that we recommend that you have a combination of both professional and educational experience in executive coaching, law, finance, or accounting.
The CSP program has been built on a platform that is both desktop and mobile friendly, so most laptops and desktop computers will be sufficient to work through the materials. While you may access the content easily on your mobile device, we do recommend a desktop computer. You also might want to use a printer to print out the supplemental resources like textbooks, guides, workbooks, etc.
Anytime you need help, feel free to reach out to [email protected] and we will do our best to work with you on your challenges.
"I was always trying to find better ways to speak with business owners about succession planning. This training helped me transition from selling to asking better questions. This also enhanced my listening skills and I pivoted to teaching/consulting to their issues. I was better able to help privately held businesses move through the process of Succession, Exit and Transition.
The majority of a business owners wealth is locked in their business. To help them move, spend, transfer and distribute their wealth you need to be able to address and serve them where they need you. Our future is dependent of the continued success and growth of our Entrepreneurs."
Michael C. Valdez, AIF, CLU
Founder & President- Business Transition Council