The Succession Matrix®

Through an extensive, national research and study program, the organizers of the International Succession Planning Association™ , with a combined experience of over 200 years in working with more than 2500 family and closely held business owners, have identified the criterion for achieving Succession Success™.

These ten interdependent factors, as a body, are referred to as the Succession Matrix®.

1. Owner Motivation and Perspective
2. Personal Financial Planning
3. Business Structuring
4. Business Performance
5. Strategic Planning
6. Leadership & Management Continuity
7. Successor Preparation
8. Management Synergy and Teamwork
9. Family Dynamics
10. Family Governance

The Succession Matrix® describes the planning factors that the ISPA® has confirmed as the predictable challenges to the continuity of a business through the next generation and each of these critical factors, can have a significant impact upon business succession. Depending upon the gravity of the circumstances, any one factor can significantly handicap the probability that a business can achieve Succession Success℠.

It is also important to recognize the interdependent nature of the Succession Matrix®factors. Due to the compounding impact of this interdependence, extraordinary strength in some factors can support weaknesses in others. Conversely, a short fall in multiple Succession Matrix® factors can support the conclusion that significant enhancement of planning circumstances is needed to have confidence that the continuity of a business legacy is reasonable.

Scoring of Succession Success™ positioning across the Succession Matrix® provides a valid predictor as to how a business is prepared to deal with anticipated challenges of succession, as well as an indication of those planning areas in which remedial attention is needed to provide confidence those succession goals can be achieved.