Buy-sell agreements are critical documents that help facilitate the successful transfer of ownership in a family business; however, the valuation-related language in buy-sell agreements is often the source of confusion, dispute, and unfair outcomes. Join us as we present several case studies involving the valuation elements of buy-sell agreements, dissecting the problems to avoid and the essential elements to include in the drafting and administration of your buy-sell agreements. Key takeaways will include: - The importance of the valuation language and process contained within buy-sell agreements; - The problems with formula-based buy-sell agreements; - Critical valuation elements that should be addressed in agreements; - Potential areas for concern with certain valuation language common in agreements; - Best practices and recommendations for a successful buy-sell agreement. ... read more

EOS and Family Business Alex Freytag, Expert EOS Implementer and longtime friend of the Conway, joins us for an experience-share and a deep dive into EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System™). Alex will be accompanied by Conway Center member Chelsea King of King Business Interiors, who runs on EOS with Alex as their coach. Chelsea will share her experience with implementing EOS from the family business perspective. EOS (also known as Traction) is a holistic business system with a simple set of practical tools that help entrepreneurial leadership teams gain traction and move the business forward. Join Alex and Chelsea to learn more about EOS and if it is right for your family business. ... read more

At a certain point, families with substantial wealth outgrow traditional financial advisory services to help manage their personal financial complexities. As a result of wealth creation since 2008/2009, family office formation has been on the rise. Successful families have decisions to make regarding to build on their own or outsource – each comes with pros and cons. Join Jon Eesley and Clayton Hall from Windsor Advisory Group for a discussion on why successful families consider building their own family offices or outsource. We will discuss scenarios for both so you can determine what is right for your family business. ... read more

Let’s address total compensation and discuss ways to weave in creative leave strategies as a benefit to attract and retain employees. The term ''leave'' covers any paid or unpaid time off you may want to offer your employees. We’ll discuss various leave options available to Ohio employees and have candid conversations on their impact to your business. We’ll also discuss what you should put in writing regarding leaves to reserve your rights as an employer and set up employee expectations. This discussion will also include the good, bad, and ugly about “unlimited” leaves! ... read more

As we all know by now, Intel plans for an initial investment of more than $20 billion for two new chip factories in Licking County. There has never been a project of this size, or magnitude, in the entire state of Ohio?s history. How will this project impact your family business? Join Betsy Goldstein, director of business development with MA Design, as she walks us through the Intel project and the overall impact to the Central Ohio region. ... read more

According to research done by Forbes, “a family-owned business engenders a strong sense of trust in consumers...family-owned businesses seem more stable, more customer-friendly, more approachable, and more trustworthy.” Our panelists put their family business pride front-and-center and use it not only as a marketing tool, but as a way to attract and retain employees. Indeed, we often hear them say, “we treat our employees like family” – they mean it and it shows. Generously sponsored by GREENCREST ... read more

How to Engage Non-Family Member Employees An employee of a family-owned business who is a member of the family is tied to the owners in every possible way. Yet, non-family members can provide both skills and perspective that family members may not bring, and thus help grow the business. How does the family business owner align a non-family member employee’s interests to that of the owner? This panel of professionals will discuss how they attract, develop, and retain key non-family member employees. Topics will include the importance of culture, communication, and compensation to align the goals and expectations of the business owners and employees. When successful, the business retains an employee who is as committed to the growth and success of the business as the owners, and the employee feels recognized and compensated for the contributions made to the business. Panelists: Steve Barton - General Manager, Two Men and a Truck Sharon DeLay - President & Owner, GO-HR Holli Houseworth - Office Manager, Cloud Cover Amy Wilcox - COO, Crimson Design Facilitated by Debbie Long of Clark Schaefer Hackett and Greg Daugherty of Porter Wright. Sponsored by GREENCREST ... read more

Join us for a discussion on tips to ensure the right people are in the right seats in your family business. We'll discuss assessment tools, the EOS people analyzer, and other strategies our panelists utilize. The discussion will include their successes and challenges with hiring - and keeping - the right people in the right seats. Panelists: Sharon DeLay, GOHR Bryan Driscoll, Driscoll Learning Brandon Dupler, Dupler Office Kyle Reitter, Reitter, Inc. Generously sponsored by Huntington Bank ... read more

Stepping into a Giant's Shoes - Growing up in the family business - or even entering at a later date - presents challenges and opportunities for next gens. Join us for an honest discussion of what it's like to step into a leadership role when following a founder/ leading gen with a big personality and a cadre of loyal employees and followers who may still see you as the boss's kid. Panel: Thor Hess from Southeastern Equipment Company, and Katie Hornik Windholtz from Security Plus Insurance. Sponsored by GREENCREST ... read more

Things I Wish I Would Have Known Everyone has at least one lesson they learned the hard way that they wish they would have known before joining or starting a family business. Good or bad, happy or sad, our panelists will discuss those things that a crystal ball might have helped them with along the way. Join us for this candid discussion with: Steve Harmon - second generation President of Spartan Logistics. We'll find out what advice he gave his own son when he officially joined the family business and what Steve wishes he'd known - and maybe had done differently - when he joined Spartan 20+ years ago. Angela Petro - Founder & CEO of Together & Company and Sweet Carrot. She will let us in on the ups and downs of her family business journey and lessons she learned along the way. Donovan Wahl is a second generation family member of Classic Plumbing who recently decided to leave the family business. Donovan will discuss why she chose to enter - and exit - and the things she wishes she'd have known from the start. Facilitated by Jim Bishop, Morgan Stanley Generously sponsored by Huntington Bank ... read more

Google has already stopped updating its Universal Analytics (UA) platform and will be sunsetting it completely in 2023, replacing it is the new Google Analytics 4 (GA4). This is the first major update to analytics in years, and it is a major change. Is your company ready to make the switch? Join Greg Stockmaster, GREENCREST digital marketing manager, as he walks us through what this change means for businesses and how and when to make the switch at your company. You will learn: Why Google is making the switch Key differences between Universal Analytics and Google Analytics 4 The benefits of migrating to GA4 How to make the switch Why you should be migrating to GA4 now! The importance of analytics in digital marketing ... read more

Succession Planning 101: Where to Begin? If you know you need a plan but don’t know where to start, join us at the next quarterly Succession Planning Roundtable where we will discuss the basics: What kind of owner are you? Operating? Captive? Burdened? Benevolent Dictator? There are several types of owners and identifying which you – and other stock-owning family members - is a great place to start. What are your criteria for next gens to join the business? When, along with compensation and expectations – all important considerations. We’ll cover best practices on this sometimes-controversial topic! Buy-Sell Agreements: Who needs them and the important reasons behind them. Seven Keys to Family Business Succession: It’s more than signing over ownership! We’ll tackle the succession of ownership, management, leadership, authority, relationships, and values & respect. ... read more

Year-End Tax Update Join the team from Meaden & Moore as they discuss key tax law changes and strategies that will help put your family business on the right track as a new year begins. Introduction – Jonathan Ciccotelli, Partner   Greg Gibbons, Senior Manager, Federal Tax 1. Tax Law Changes Bonus depreciation Section 163(j) Interest Expense Limitation Net Operating Loss Carryforwards 2. R&D Credit and Section 174 Expenses 3. Inflation Reduction Act   David Harris, Senior Manager, State and Local Tax 1. Ohio Pass-Through Entity Tax 2. House Bill 515 Questions* (5 - 10 mins) REGISTER now and join us for this live webinar on Wednesday, 12/7. You'll have the opportunity to submit questions during the session* and view a recording post session. * Questions can be submitted through the Q&A and chat during the webinar but to ensure we address your specific questions, please SUBMIT to the team by 12/5. ... read more