When you have put a lot of energy, resources and time into building your small business from the ground up, you might like to imagine that you’ll continue running it for the rest of time. Deep down, however, you understand that this is unrealistic. This is why you need to consider business succession planning now.

Whether you intend to pass the business on to a family member or to sell your company, you need a succession plan. This helps to contribute to the long-term business viability. It also increases the chances that you will have sufficient funds in retirement to support you as well as to continue the business that you have fought so hard to build. The longer that you wait to conduct your succession planning the harder it will be to take action. Here are the four most important steps for getting started.

1. Involve your family. No matter what vision of the future you hold, you need to think about your relatives in terms of succession planning discussions. Are there any individuals already in place who may want to take over when you leave? You should also consider who is qualified to step in.
2. Create an exit strategy in your business plan. More than likely you already have a business plan for the next couple of years. Your succession strategy and exit strategy should also be included in this plan.
3. Put together your team of advisors. There will be several different people you need in the process of doing your business succession plan such as an estate planning attorney, a business partner, succession planner, and an accountant. They can help guide you through the complex process of succession planning.
4. Identify and prepare to train your successor. Once you are seriously contemplating what lies ahead for the future of your company, you will feel more inclined to help choose the right individual to take over after you leave. You need to carefully consider individuals who already have the qualities and begin to put in place a training program to prepare them for the future.