This is the Program Archive for the Toronto Business Transitions Forum.
Introduction by Robert Duffy, Vice President, Growth & Transition Capital Ontario and Atlantic, BDC Capital
What trends will impact the biggest transaction of your life? How does the current economic trend impact business owners that are thinking of transitioning in the coming years? How will financial markets, interest rates and/or the Canadian dollar impact deal terms and multiples? This macro view of the economy and the M&A environment will put things into perspective so that you can plan for a successful transition.
Why should exit-readiness be a part of your business plan? Why prepare your company for sale, even if you have no plans to sell?
The answer is simple: A sellable company usually operates better, in addition to being more valuable – so even if you don’t sell, exit-readiness will make your business stronger.
There are a number of preparatory steps you should be taking as a business owner to ensure you are “exit ready,” after-all, the process of selling or transitioning a business is complicated and uncertain.
Sometimes exits can happen sooner than expected and sometimes they need to be accelerated based on what is happening in the market. You may be presented with an inbound opportunity to sell some or all of your business, or unexpected personal and/or external factors could force your hand. This session will help you assess both your personal and corporate exit readiness; including areas of transition that provide the most opportunity and risk.
You’re contemplating ways to turn years of hard work into cash, but what are your options? Should you look to your senior management team as potential investors, assuming they are interested and able to invest in your business? Should you look outside your firm for strategic buyers? Could Private Equity, Family Offices or other entities provide liquidity opportunities? In this session a panel of experts will help you learn what distinguishes different classes of buyers, depending on your size of business, and what other options you have to generate capital. The panel will discuss various liquidity options including:
There are many reasons to look outside the ranks of your firm or family to find a potential suitor for your business. Depending on the size and type of business you operate and your own personal circumstances – marketing your company to strategic, financial or other buyers, including private equity, might be your most lucrative exit strategy.
That said, the values and terms discussed in any potential offer for your business will vary significantly depending on the type of potential third-party buyers approached; and even moreso, by how potential buyers are approached.
The panel will elaborate on best practices that will help you optimize and strategize a 3rd party transition – with the goal of ultimately finding and securing a buyer at a fair price. Through an interactive discussion you’ll learn:
For many business owners, a management buyout is the best transition option available. While a transition within the senior ranks of your business may be the best option, there are risks and potential missteps to avoid. The panel will identify opportunities that could impact your successful MBO, as well as diverse ways to finance the transaction. They will cover:
Transitioning a business can be a complicated process – especially when family is involved. What impact will bringing in the younger generation have on family dynamics, emotions and lifestyle? The discussion will help bring order to chaos by providing tools and perspectives so you can successfully navigate your family business transition. Examples of real life situations will be highlighted to illustrate what other business owners and their families have done to effectively prepare for the biggest transaction of their lives.
Join Jeff Noble in “Fireside Chat” with Robert Bedard, Founder of BMP Metals, as they discuss the intergenerational transition of BMP.
Join Bruce Harbinson in a discussion with Pierre Morrissette, Founder and Executive Chairman, Pelmorex Corp (Formerly Pelmorex Media Inc.), owner of The Weather Network.
Pelmorex, TWN’s parent company is the dominant weather player in Spain, which is the company’s fastest growing market. In a recent Ipsos Reid survey of the most influential brands in Canada, The Weather Network ranked 12th overall and 1st amongst Canadian-owned companies. In partnership with all authorized government agencies, TWN operates Canada’s emergency altering system, Alert Ready, and recently announced that its alerts will now also be sent to mobile phones in designated areas.
This discussion will not only explore how Pelmorex became such a trusted global leader, but Pierre will also share his insights on multi-generational family enterprise transition planning and the value of bringing outside talent into a family business.
Bring your burning transition questions to our exhibit area. This is your opportunity to meet and obtain advice from Canada’s leading and most reputable experts on the subject of exit-strategy.
When you sell or transition your business you may face a significant tax bill. If you’re not careful, you could find yourself with less than half of the sale price in your pocket. Fortunately, with the right preparation and enough time to implement, there are many opportunities to reduce tax significantly. We will look at how to structure your company well in advance of a potential sale or recapitalization and review new Canadian and US tax changes which could impact all private businesses in Canada.
The sale or transition of a business involves many moving parts. Whether you’re conducting a management buyout or running a process to find a third-party buyer, you’ll inevitably require support from tax and legal experts as well as investment bankers and other M&A professionals to close the deal successfully.
After attending this session, you will understand the benefits of having an exit team, what skill sets to look for and how to select the best advisors for your business transition. This session will also examine advisor fees and compensation.
When is the right time to start thinking about your post transition plan? Not having a plan is a major cause of remorse among business owners who have exited. What impact will a transaction have on your family, your emotions, your lifestyle and your legacy? In this session you will hear a panel of experts and owners share the their post transition experiences.
This discussion will also address transition from wealth creator to wealth manager.
While the idea of providing unfettered access to your confidential business information may sound scary, it is standard operating procedure once a letter of intent is signed. This panel discussion will highlight key areas of tension and risk for sellers. You’ll learn ways to maintain control of the sale process without impeding success.
You will hear first-hand stories that outline what owners and advisors have experienced during the transition journey. Buyers and their advisors will be on the lookout for red flags and trouble spots, this is your opportunity to learn about common “deal breakers” so that you and your advisors can prepare and maintain momentum during your transaction.
Some key areas to focus on include:
Hear from a panel of business owners who have gone through a transition and now have the opportunity to reflect on the deal in the rear view mirror. How has the transition affected their personal and professional lives? What would they change if they were to do it all again, if anything? Would they negotiate differently, work with different strategic advisors or would they second guess their decision to exit? Panelists will help build and broaden your frame of reference by sharing their own war stories and tales from the trenches.
“Meet The Experts”
Bring your burning transition questions to our exhibit area. This is your opportunity to meet and obtain advice from Canada’s leading and most reputable experts on the subject of exit-strategy.