Who Is Laurie Barkman?
Laurie Barkman (the Business Transition Sherpa) is the founder and CEO of SmallDotBig LLC. She has extensive experience in business transition and M&A. Having served as the CEO of a notable $100 million revenue company, later successfully sold to a Fortune 50 firm, Laurie became a trusted advisor for business owners going through a transition.
In Laurie’s role as a Business Transition and M&A Intermediary, she empowers owners to improve the value of their businesses. She also guides them on identifying the perfect buyer when the time comes to part ways. Her expertise covers diverse areas, including business transition, succession, entrepreneurship, marketing, and M&A.
Laurie’s insights and accomplishments have not gone unnoticed by the media, with features in publications such as Newsweek, Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, WTAE/abc, and more. Her commitment to education extends to her role as an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University. She shares her knowledge with the next generation of business leaders.
In her book, The Business Transition Handbook, Laurie incorporates her knowledge into a comprehensive guide for business owners wanting a seamless transition. Laurie also amplifies her impact through the award-winning podcast Succession Stories, which is recognized among the top 2.5% of podcasts globally.
What Makes “The Business Transition Handbook” Worth Your Time?
In entrepreneurship, every decision can shape the destiny of your business, and the concept of transition often takes a backseat. Laurie Barkman’s The Business Transition Handbook guides business owners, providing priceless insights into succession planning.
Whether you like it or not, “the exit” is inevitable. Through a friendly and conversational tone, Laurie underscores the importance of preparation, emphasizing that being too busy is no excuse for leaving money and happiness on the table. It’s not just about selling. It’s about being sell-ready when the time comes.
As the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company that successfully sold to a Fortune 50, Laurie positions herself as the ultimate business transition sherpa. Her real-world experience lends credibility to the advice she shares throughout the book. Readers can have confidence that they are under the guidance of someone who has successfully navigated these challenges.
Using real-life stories, tools, and exercises, Laurie takes readers on a journey to personally prepare for a business transition, determine the worth of their business, focus on value building, and mitigate transferability risks. The inclusion of family or management successors adds a personal touch, acknowledging the emotional nuances of passing the entrepreneurial torch.
The Business Transition Handbook’s strength is its ability to simplify the overwhelming exit process. Laurie skillfully manages the emotional and practical aspects of transitioning, ensuring that readers understand the importance of the process and know how to execute it successfully. The book covers the entire spectrum – from personal readiness to strategic planning and selling processes.
Final Thoughts
In a business literature landscape predominantly centered on the journey to success, Laurie Barkman’s book stands out as an essential guide for those considering—the exit. The Business Transition Handbook is a roadmap for business owners wanting to exit on their terms and make sure that the legacy they’ve built continues to thrive even after they step away. This handbook will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on their entrepreneurial journey.
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