Free Business Owner Assessment
Could Your Business Continue Without You?
Discover How Prepared Your Business, Family and Finances Are for a Future Without You at the Centre
Free Business Owner Assessment
Before you begin.
You may intend to sell your business, transfer it to family or gradually step away. But what would happen if illness, disability, death, conflict or burnout forced that transition sooner than expected?
The Business Succession Readiness Assessment examines whether your business, personal finances and family are prepared for both a planned transition and an unexpected owner absence.
In approximately 7 minutes, you will discover:
- How dependent the business remains on you
- Whether the business can operate during an emergency
- How clearly your succession path has been defined
- Whether a successor or buyer could realistically take over
- How much of your retirement depends on the business
- Whether ownership, tax and estate arrangements are coordinated
- Where insurance or liquidity gaps may threaten the plan
- The three actions that deserve your attention first
28 scored questions · Private to this browser
Private and educational. No obligation. This assessment does not require you to have a successor already selected.
Example readiness snapshot
Succession Plan Developing
- Owner Dependence42%
- Succession Direction61%
- Business Value55%
- Successor70%
This Is Not Only for Owners Who Are Ready to Retire
Succession planning is not an announcement that you are leaving. It is preparation that gives you more control over how and when you leave. Succession planning is relevant if you:
- Own an incorporated professional practice
- Operate a family business
- Have one or more business partners
- Expect to sell your company eventually
- Want to transfer ownership to employees
- Hope a child or family member will take over
- Depend on the business to fund retirement
- Have employees, clients or family members relying on you
- Want the business to continue if you become ill or disabled
- Are unsure whether the business could function without you
All questions answered
Review your answers.
Check your choices before calculating your results. Select “Change” to revisit an answer.
Your business profile
What best describes your business?
Approximately how long have you owned the business?
How many people currently work in the business, including owners?
When do you expect to reduce your involvement or exit?
Which transition appears most likely?
Owner Dependence and Emergency Continuity
The business can continue its essential operations for at least 30 days if I become suddenly unavailable.
At least one trusted person has documented authority to make urgent operational and financial decisions during my absence.
Critical passwords, banking information, contracts, insurance documents and operating records are securely organized and accessible to authorized individuals.
Important client, supplier and employee relationships are shared with other people rather than depending entirely on me.
Succession Direction and Timeline
I have identified my preferred succession path, such as a family transfer, employee buyout, partner purchase, third-party sale or closure.
I have established a realistic target period for reducing my involvement or transferring ownership.
I have discussed my succession intentions with the people who would be directly affected.
My succession goals are documented and reviewed when business or family circumstances change.
Business Value and Transferability
The business has received a professional or supportable valuation within the last three years.
Financial records, contracts, tax filings and operating information are accurate, current and organized for external review.
The business can generate revenue and serve clients without relying primarily on my personal relationships, reputation or technical work.
Core processes, responsibilities and performance measures are documented well enough for another leader to follow.
Successor and Leadership Readiness
A potential successor, management team or external-buyer strategy has been identified.
The intended successor has confirmed an interest in taking over and understands what the role requires.
The successor or management team is being prepared through training, decision-making authority and relationship transfer.
There is a written plan for transferring leadership responsibilities, client relationships and institutional knowledge.
Personal Financial and Retirement Readiness
I know approximately how much after-tax income I will need when I reduce my involvement or retire.
I understand how much of my retirement plan depends on the value or sale of the business.
I have personal retirement assets or income sources outside the business.
I have compared how different exit dates, sale values or payment structures could affect my retirement and family finances.
Ownership, Tax and Legal Coordination
Current shareholder, partnership or ownership agreements clearly address death, disability, retirement and voluntary exit.
My lawyer and accountant have reviewed the proposed ownership-transfer or succession structure.
My will, powers of attorney and estate arrangements address my business interests and are consistent with the ownership agreements.
Potential personal and corporate tax consequences of a sale, transfer or death have been professionally reviewed.
Risk, Insurance and Funding
The financial effect of my death, disability or critical illness on the business has been estimated.
Existing life, disability, critical illness and business insurance coverage has been reviewed against those risks.
Where a buy-sell or ownership-transfer obligation exists, there is a realistic and documented funding strategy.
Insurance ownership, beneficiaries and coverage amounts are coordinated with my business agreements, estate plan and family needs.
Educational guidance based on your answers.