The result of the GROW or GO survey designates that the owner and company are in Quadrant 1, indicating that neither to owner or the business is ready to exit. This likely indicates one of the following:
- The company is in a growth mode and intends to continue growing until the company and owner are ready and prepared for an ownership transition, or
- The intent of the owner is to exit the business over the next 1 or 2 years and a plan needs to be developed to prepare both the business and the owner for the owner’s exit.
- The company is in decline and a turnaround plan needs to be developed.
Questions and Answers on Quadrant 1
What If The Goal Is Company Growth?
The company may have the internal capabilities to accomplish this or may need the help of outside management consultants.
How Can The Owner Get Prepared To Exit?
The owner should develop their on End Game Plan, either on their own or with the help of an advisors. One website has been developed to help owners develop their End Game Plan.
Owner’s Time Allocation
Since neither the owner nor the business is ready for an ownership transition, this provides time to prepare both the owner and business. But this has to be properly planned and executed. More of the owner’s time need to be allocated to managing this preparation process.
What If The Goal Is to Prepare the Company For Sale?
This is likely a complex process involving addressing risk management, owner dependency, quality of earnings, and scalability factors. Help from outside advisors is highly recommended.
How Can The Company Improve On How It is Run?
There are several choices if the company desires to implement a formal management operating system. Outside vendors include Scaling UP, EOS, and the Pinnacle Operating System.
There are several provides on online tools that have been developed that host dashboards and help implement these systems.
What If The Company Needs a Turnaround Plan?
This would likely require help from experienced turnaround management consultants.