Party Conference season is here and so far we’ve seen democracy
at work with leadership battles, one ex-leader deciding to take his ball back
by leaving parliament altogether and one vote result in a job-share option.
The BattleAxe has been watching with raised eyebrows: the Tories
didn’t actually consult their membership; UKIP kept wondering if their former
leader would step in to “help” the process (and if they couldn’t just keep him
anyway, like last time) and the various flavours of Labour are still slogging
away in and out of Court at their battle of wills (our Probate department keep
expecting to be helping them shortly).
It’s no better across the pond: will the candidates have to
produce their school reports or their dog’s inside leg measurement next to
prove that they are capable of being President?
Just imagine if companies were run and business leaders
chosen this way!
So, much sighing and gnashing of teeth has come to the Elves’
ears at BattleAxe Towers from the rolling pin display room. They’ve even tried
to lock the door to stop her waving her new studded one too vigorously, in case
she bursts the infamous Westminster Bubble.
Of course, she’s seen it all before in business. Managers deciding it’s all “too ‘ard” and
spending more time with their families, before getting bored. Founders announcing retirement but assuming
that means that they can just keep running the business from their barstool in
the local pub.
Succession plans falling
apart because Number One Son upsets Aunt Flo at her 80th birthday
party and so it’s decided that Batty (no relation) Old Uncle Eggburt should
become MD because he had some “really good ideas” in 1964 (unfortunately, about
as useful as Seymour’s inventions!).
“If only they had worked out how they want to exit and
developed a proper set of succession plans!” the BattleAxe has been heard shouting
at breakfast TV. “Don’t they realise
knowing how to get out is as important as going into business in the first
place?”
After all, for most of us Owner Managers the largest part of
our pension (and potentially estate) is tied up in our businesses. It is all very well for the Government to be
worried about the disparity between bosses’ and workers’ pay, but if they look
at a lot of SMEs they’re going to get a shock, as it is the bosses that get
paid least! That means that
understanding how you’re going to get value out when you do eventually need it
is vital.
Of course, over time circumstances can frustrate Plan A. So,
having a plan B, C, D, E and maybe even F is key to ensure the business is not
derailed by the torrential rain of events. Plans are hard to set down, emotionally as
well as in words, but business leadership, like the political variety, will
come to an end and unless you want to “let the membership decide” or worse, the
Courts, it is definitely worth the time.
This article originally appeared in Huddersfield Examiner Kirklees Business News on 3rd October, Page 14 Titled It's About Knowing How to Get Out
This article originally appeared in Huddersfield Examiner Kirklees Business News on 3rd October, Page 14 Titled It's About Knowing How to Get Out
