Succession Planning Overview Gregg Hadley, PhD Assistant Director

Succession Planning Overview Gregg Hadley, PhD Assistant Director – Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Community Development K-State Research and Extension [email protected] 785-532-5838

Why?

Grandma and Grandpa (The Past Generation) The Brothers’ and Sisters’ Kids (The Future) Mom and Dad (The Current Generation) The Brothers’ and Sisters’ Spouses Farming Brother and Sister (The Next Generation) Non-Farming Brother and Sister

What is Success?

An Ongoing Farm & A Happy Family

Rules & Promises

What is Succession Planning? Commonly used terms Transition planning Estate planning Succession planning

Transition Planning Refers to planning for any change Expansion Contraction New technology

Estate Planning Refers to how assets will be passed on to heirs

So, What is Succession Planning?

Estate Planning & Succession Planning My perspective ESTATE PLANNING is about how assets will be transferred to heirs SUCCESSION PLANNING involves discussing so much more: Estate planning Establishing the business philosophy rights Leadership, management and workload rights Determining how the partners will work and communicate together Succession feasibility

Estate Planning is One Piece of the Succession Planning Succession Pie Planning Other Aspects Estate Planning

Do You Need a Detailed Succession Plan?

Test Questions to Determine if You Need Succession Planning Current owners & managers: Do you always agree with your successor’s business philosophy, management ideas and decisions?

Test Questions to Determine if You Need Succession Planning Future owners & managers: Do you always agree with the current owner/manager’s business philosophy, management ideas and decisions?

If You Said No, You are Honest and Need Succession Planning

If You Said Yes, You are Probably a Liar or Kidding Yourself!

Most successions fail due to the lack of a good estate A Common Belief plan

Not Always Disagreements about business philosophy Inadequate earning capability Transfer of work and management decision making Emotional roadblocks Poor communication Death, disease, disability, disaster, divorce (5 Ds) Poor estate plans

Most Farm and Ranch Situations Require a Detailed Succession Plan

What are the Steps in Succession Planning?

Succession Steps Succession Participants Concern Step Succession Facilitators Concern Step Estate Plan 1 Estate Plan 5 Financial Feasibility 2 Financial 4 Business Plan 3 Business Plan 3 Dealing with Emotional Roadblocks 4 Dealing with Emotional Roadblocks 2 Learning how to Communicate and Teambuilding 5 Learning how to Communicate and Teambuilding 1

Who Should Be Involved in Succession Planning?

Grandma and Grandpa (The Past Generation) The Brothers’ and Sisters’ Kids (The Future) Mom and Dad (The Current Generation) The Brothers’ and Sisters’ Spouses Farming Brother and Sister (The Next Generation) Non-Farming Brother and Sister

So, When Should I Begin Succession Planning?

Today! On-going process The actual succession plan should be developed before the next generation starts working for the farm in a career position The plan should be reassessed frequently Never know when one of the 5 Ds will hit

It Can Be A Lengthy Process Succession Planning Meeting Team building Meetings Required (1/2 Day Meeting) 1 to 2 Meetings Communications 1 Meeting Conflict management 1 Meeting Business philosophy and strategy Issues 1 to 3 Meetings Operational issues 1 to 3 Meetings Financial issues 1 to 2 Meetings Decision making and work responsibility transition map 1 to 2 Meetings Estate planning 1 to 4 Meetings Plan finalization 1 to 2 Meetings

Succession Planning Can Be Stressful!

Start Today! It Is So Worth It!

Thank You! Good Luck With Your Farm or Ranch Succession!