Succession Planning
Build a stronger business. Protect your legacy.
Succession planning is not just about stepping away. It is about building a business that can continue to grow, lead, and create impact for years to come.
The Columbus Chamber Succession Planning Series is designed to help business owners, executives, and leadership teams approach succession with intention. Through one luncheon and a four-part workshop series, participants will gain practical guidance on increasing business value, preparing future leaders, building the right advisory team, and planning for life after transition.Â
Whether you are preparing for an eventual sale, considering family transition, exploring employee ownership, or simply building a more resilient organization, this series will provide insights to help you lead with the future in mind.
Chamber Luncheon Series
Mastering Business Succession and Legacy
Our expert panelists explored how intentional succession goes beyond ownership and titles to shape culture, continuity, and long-term performance. Participants gained insight into aligning leadership transitions with organizational values, strengthening team culture across generations, and building systems that sustain productivity and trust through change. Attendees left with practical perspectives on developing future leaders, engaging multi-generational teams, and creating a legacy that positions their organization for enduring success.
Continuing the Conversation
A four-part workshop series for business owners and leadership teams
Following the kickoff luncheon, the Columbus Chamber will offer a deeper workshop experience for those ready to take the next step in succession planning. Each session is built to provide practical tools, expert guidance, and actionable takeaways.
Workshop One | The Exit Value Accelerator
Understand how to evaluate your business through the lens of long-term value and readiness.
Topics covered:
- Business valuation scorecard
- Business planning and action plans based on scorecard
Date: TBD
Projected Attendance: 25 to 30 attendees
Workshop Two | Passing the Torch
Explore transition pathways and what it takes to identify and prepare the right next leader.
Topics covered:
- Overview of ESOPs, management buyouts, and gifting versus selling to family
- Assessing potential successors on competency versus commitment to lead
- Defining new roles and setting boundaries for exiting owners
Date: TBD
Projected Attendance: 25 to 30 attendees
Workshop Three | The 360-Degree Exit Team
Prepare for transition by understanding the team, strategy, and details required to avoid common deal barriers.
Topics covered:
- Identifying common deal killers, including missing contracts, messy books, and legal disputes, and how to fix them
- Legal, tax, and financial succession deal team introductions to M&A attorneys, CPAs, and wealth managers
- Pros and cons of different exit paths, including third-party sales, private equity recapitalization, and management buyouts
Date: TBD
Projected Attendance: 25 to 30 attendees
Workshop Four | Life After Business
Focus on the personal side of succession and prepare for what comes next.
Topics covered:
- Personal readiness for life post-sale
- Individual exit roadmap
Date: TBD
Projected Attendance: 25 to 30 attendees
Who Should Attend
The series is ideal for:
- Business owners
- Founders
- CEOs and presidents
- Family business leaders
- Executive teams
- Advisors supporting ownership transition
Succession Planning
Interested in learning more about the Columbus Chamber Succession Planning series? Complete the form below to share your interest, and our team will follow up with next steps.
