Is your business prepared for new leadership?  What will happen to your business when upper management retires?  Who will your new leaders be and how can you ensure you are preparing these new leaders for their future roles and responsibilities? If you’re unsure of the answers to these questions, it may be time to implement a succession plan.

Someday, every business owner will exit his or her business. The question is not “whether”, but “when” and “how”. Regardless of whether you plan to transition your company tomorrow or thirty years from now, you need to have a succession plan in place. Succession planning is having a systematic process where managers identify, assess and develop their staff to make sure they are ready to assume key roles within the company.

For practical advice on how to get started, please join us for a “Food for Thought” roundtable discussion on succession planning February 24^th from Noon to1 p.m. at the Charleston Area Alliance. Pre-registration is required.

Bob Simpson of Dixon Hughes and Jack Suttle, formerly of Suttle & Stalnaker, will share the four keys of succession planning and why it’s never too early to get started.

In this fast-paced roundtable you will learn:

• The elements of a quality succession plan (hint: it doesn’t have to be lengthy, just well thought out and well communicated.)
• How to evaluate leadership potential in successors
• How to plan for the future of your employees, customers, suppliers and more.

If you’re a business owner, don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the experts on how to develop a plan to ensure the safety and vitality of the organization you’ve worked so hard to build.

About the speakers:

Bob Simpson holds an MBA from Ohio State University and a bachelors degree from Miami. He founded the certified public accounting firm of Simpson & Osborne, CPAs, A.C., which joined forces with Dixon Hughes in February 2007. He serves tax clients in a variety of industries, focusing on succession planning and compensation and speaks frequently to community and civic organizations on a variety of tax, financial, and management topics and has served as a discussion leader at numerous continuing professional education seminars. Simpson has also been an instructor at West Virginia. State University University

Jack Suttle is one of the founders of the Charleston-based accounting firm Suttle & Stalnaker. He has more than 30 years experience in public accounting, serving numerous clients, in all aspects of accounting, auditing and consulting. He has served as engagement partner or independent partner for the firms audit engagements. In addition, Suttle has been an active leader in professional development programs by conducting seminars and workshops for WV Public Accountants Association, WV Society of CPA’s, U.S. Department of Energy, and WV State Tax Department. Suttle graduated from Morris Harvey College (now University) with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. of Charleston

Cost to attend this Food for Thought Luncheon is $15 for current Alliance members/$25 for future members.  Seating is limited and an RSVP is required to attend.   Lunch will be provided.   

For more information, contact Lesley Hager at LHager@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org or (304) 340.4253.

We are unable to invoice for groups with fewer than 10 or issue refunds for cancellations received less than 48 hours prior to the event. Thank you.