Why Is Succession Planning Important? 

Why Is Succession Planning Important? 

As a business owner, stopping to consider what may happen to your company if you’re no longer around can be difficult, especially if things are currently moving along well. Yet creating a plan for the future that ensures that the right leaders are in place—even if you’re not one of them—can be important for the company’s long-term success. As you think about the future, consider these top reasons why succession planning is important, and reach out to Prosper Financial for counsel from a financial professional you can trust—

The Benefits of Succession Planning

While there are many benefits of succession planning that extend beyond this list and can be more personal, some of the top reasons why it’s worth thinking about a succession plan for your business include—

• Leadership identification. One of the reasons to start creating a succession plan while you are actively engaged in the business’s affairs is that you have the opportunity to start identifying potential leaders of the business. In addition to identifying specific people, you can think about positions that your company may need in the future. You can also start talking to current leaders about their future plans and interests. 
• Risk reduction. Just like you purchase insurance to protect your business from the unknown, so too should you develop a succession plan that identifies what will become of the business in the event that you are suddenly unavailable due to a serious illness, accident, or death. Without a succession plan in place, your business is highly vulnerable and wide open to a plethora of risks. 
• Structure and training program development. Once you have identified the right future leader or leaders for your business, then your company can start thinking about formal and informal training structures, including coaching, mentoring, job shadowing, or increases in responsibilities. By identifying leaders early, you’re giving both the company and the individuals the time that’s needed to adjust and acquire additional skills and education. 
• Brand preservation. If brand integrity is something that’s important to you, then note that it can be disrupted by a new C-suite level leader, especially if this is a person who’s brought in from the outside and doesn’t understand your company’s values and mission.

Get Help with Your Succession Plan Today

At Prosper Financial, our experienced financial professionals can help you create a succession plan for your business that addresses the most important details and is part of your future plan. To learn more about our services and how we can help, reach out to our team online or by phone today to get started.