Tag Archives: ownership transition

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So You Think You Have to Have a Fixed Price Buy-Sell Agreement?

In this post, I explain why I believe that fixed price buy-sell agreements are not workable for most closely held and family businesses. This is as true for large companies as well as much smaller companies. However, if you or your client insists on using a fixed pricing mechanism in a buy-sell agreement, take the steps recommended in this post to maximize the probability of success and minimize the potential for future disputes. My text for this sermon lies in Chapters 9, 13, 14, 16 and 17 of Buy-Sell Agreements for Closely Held and Family Business Owners.

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Lessons from Microsoft on Management Succession

Many of the companies I deal with have baby boomer senior managers who own substantial portions of their companies. Every one of these companies will experience management transitions over the next one, two, five or ten years or so. Isn’t it better to plan ahead for these critical transitions for the good of your fellow owners, their families, your employees, your customers and on?

Don’t be caught like Mr. Balmer and Microsoft’s board, in a trap with no apparent solution.