What does your business look like in 2037?

Over the last 20-30 years, we have seen a wealth eroding trend in investments (and as a result amongst business owners). Our news cycle has shortened dramatically, so has our attention span and in my view so has our investment horizon.

We regularly see CEOs of public companies “hammered” after poor quarterly results (in the same way sports coaches are sacked after six bad games in a row). There is a whole school of entrepreneurship that teaches “fail fast”, and the government has invested substantial $$$ in start-ups and focuses very little attention on “boring” mid-market businesses that have been around for 20 years.

I read an interesting article a few weeks ago, courtesy of Isaac Pino CPA, that goes to the very heart of this issue, about the investment time frames of Warren Buffett, the world’s most successful investor.

It drew a straightforward comparison between the “average” investment holding period for American investors (6 months down from 8.3 years in 1960) and the average holding period for Warren Buffett (20 years – with some investments held for more than 40 years).

Which also reminds me of a quote I often refer to in presentations: “The proper man understands equity – the small man, profits.” – Confucius, 551 – 479 BC

Imagine the value business owners could create if they had a time horizon for their business of 20 years or longer.

In “The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America” Buffett says: Just run your business as if:

1. you own 100% of it,
2. it is the only asset in the world that you and your family have or will ever have; and
3. you can’t sell or merge it for at least a century.”

Buffett’s third point is especially relevant, as it indirectly touches on a critical issue plaguing global economies: public companies, beholden to their shareholders, focus far too much on short-term prospects and quarterly earnings.

In his “simple mission,” the Buffett argues that businesses should abandon that type of short-term thinking and instead focus on the long-term outlook.

If your entire focus was on what the business would look like on 2037 how differently would you think, act and plan? What strategies would you put in place with 2037 as the target?

Dr Craig West

Founder & Chairman | Succession Plus

Dr Craig West is a strategic accountant who has over 20 years of experience advising business owners.

With a background as an accountant in practice and two master’s degrees, Craig formed a strong view that the majority of business owners (and often their advisers) were unprepared and unaware of the steps required to prepare for exit. He then designed and documented a unique 21-Step Business Succession and Exit Planning process to assist owners and their advisers in navigating this process.

Craig now acts as a strategic business and financial mentor for mid-market business owners. Craig has written four critically acclaimed books educating business owners on employee incentives, succession planning, asset protection, and exit strategies. Additionally, he has completed doctoral research on Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOPs) for succession.

Craig is a Member of the Forbes Business Council where he leverages his extensive experience to contribute valuable insights on helping business leaders navigate the complexities of growing and exiting their businesses.

In April 2024, the Exit Planning Institute admitted Craig to the International Exit Planning Circle of Excellence.