In The Media

Dr. Craig West is the founder of Capitaliz and has been working with business owners on succession and exit strategies for over 20 years.

​Most mid-market owners do an incredible job building a profitable business, then accidentally “wing it” at the most valuable moment: the handover. Succession and exit planning is how you stay in control of that outcome, rather than letting timing, health, markets or family pressure decide for you. 

 My academic research from January 2022, "Examination of the key factors driving business exit options in Australian Small and Medium Enterprises," confirmed a blunt truth: Many owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are unprepared, unaware and under‑advised when it comes to exit. (My study examined existing research as well as conducted case study interviews with eight business owners who had already exited their businesses, or were in the process of doing so, to help inform a larger quantitative survey representative of owners across Australia.) 

Few advisors have a formalized succession plan in place. But when advisors finally do commit to planning their exit, experts say the difference between a stalled exercise and a successful transition often comes down to one factor: a clear timeline.

Research from Financial Planning's Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook (FACO) survey show that while many firms recognize the core necessities of a succession plan — including valuation methodology, contingency planning and identifying a successor — far fewer translate those elements into a structured plan for ownership transition.

Lightyear Group and Succession Plus today announced a new joint venture to deliver comprehensive Business Succession, Exit Planning and Corporate Finance (including, M&A and Capital Raising) services to Lightyear Group members and their clients nationwide.

The partnership also includes a strategic investment by member firms of the LYG network in Capitaliz. Capitaliz has been operating in the USA exit planning market for three years and the USA represents more than 75% of its income.  The JV with the leading end to end digital platform for succession and exit advisory, will also launch Australian sales of Capitaliz via the Lightyear Group ecosystem.

Future planning specialist firm Succession Plus and business solutions provider LightYear Group have entered into a joint venture arrangement that will provide services such as organisational succession, exit strategising and corporate finance support, including merger and acquisition assistance and capital-raising activities.

CEO Craig West joins Pat Ennis and Corby McGordon on the Exit Readiness Podcast to share practical steps for lifting business value, reducing owner dependence, and preparing for a confident exit. Essential listening for business owners planning their future.

A well‑designed incentive scheme is one of the most practical levers you have to accelerate enterprise value on the way to a successful exit.

The key is to connect what people do every week (measured by key performance indicators), what they earn (market salary plus incentives) and what they own (long-term incentive/equity and—where appropriate—an employee ownership plan).

Financial advice businesses have an estimated $1.1 million valuation gap, a new survey from Colonial First State (CFS) shows, as most advisers are not prepared for the planned and unplanned sale of their practices.

The Hidden Value Report, produced in conjunction with Succession Plus, surveyed 116 practices which on average generate $2.71 million in revenue, while annual profit reported come to $848,781.

The survey found that the value gap was lower for businesses with fewer employees and lower business revenue.

Succession planning is one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of building a sustainable, valuable business. Whether you're preparing to exit, sell, or transition your business to employees or the next generation, having a well-structured plan can mean the difference between a smooth handover and a missed opportunity.

Join Craig West, renowned business succession and exit planning expert, for a high-impact, 60-minute session that dives deep into the key elements of a successful transition. This event will explore practical strategies for business owners looking to maximise value, minimise risk, and plan effectively for the future.

So many acronyms, so little small business time. But the PPSR is one you and your advisors should know about. Why? Because it’s free, it helps to protect your assets and your business. PPSR stands for the Personal Property Securities Register which is an official government register; a public noticeboard of security interests in personal property that is managed by the Registrar of Personal Property Securities. According to the Attorney General’s department it must be reliable, managed responsibly and is accessible.

Exiting a business successfully in 2025 requires careful planning and strategic execution. After working with countless mid-market business owners on their exits over the last 10 years, here are 12 things I recommend you focus on based on my experience:

1. Plan early.

Early planning gives you the time to address any potential issues and make necessary adjustments to maximize the value of your business. So starting your exit strategy well in advance is crucial. For example, one mid-market business owner in the tech industry we worked with began planning their exit five years before the actual sale. This allowed them to identify potential buyers, optimize their operations and ensure a smooth transition.

Ever wondered how top business owners maximise their company’s value?

I sit down with Craig West, a seasoned business owner from Australia and fellow Certified Exit Planning Advisor. We dive into the challenges of running a business, especially the tough transition from being an expert in your field to managing a growing company, which can lead to frustration and burnout.

Craig and I discuss the importance of surrounding yourself with knowledgeable advisors and recognizing when to seek external help to avoid these pitfalls. We also touch on treating your business as a financial asset and how having a coach or mentor can be a game-changer in accelerating growth.