Intellectual Property (IP) is an integral part of many of today’s companies’ overall value. Indeed, studies show that up to 80% of the value of a typical business is IP, and as of 2020, more than 84%—$19 trillion—of the S&P 500’s market cap is represented by intangible assets like IP. However, even the biggest corporations […]
Read MoreOwning a business is challenging even in the best of times. Add a global pandemic, the likes of which we have never seen in our lifetime, and it becomes much more overwhelming. Often, business owners try to compensate for shortcomings in their business by bringing in more and more revenue. For many people, however, business […]
Read MoreWhile it’s still hard to tell how the Coronavirus will impact us in the long term, it’s become a subject that’s impossible to ignore. While some are advocating we prepare to be quarantined, potentially for months, others are saying the virus is nothing more than a common cold. The World Health Organization takes a more […]
Read MoreThough most entrepreneurs understand the value of effective business planning, fewer are aware of the critical role estate planning plays in their company’s success. Yet considering what would happen to your business upon your death or in the event of your incapacity is one of the single-most important things you can do for your business. […]
Read MoreWhile various types of insurance can protect your business from lawsuits and other liabilities, perhaps the greatest liability of all—especially if you’re the sole owner of your business—is what could happen to your company when you die or if you should become incapacitated by accident or illness. To ensure your business—and the income it provides […]
Read MoreWith more and more Baby Boomers reaching the later stages of seniorhood, the media is abuzz over what’s being called “The Great Wealth Transfer.” This refers to the coming intergenerational transfer of wealth that will occur over the next few decades, as Boomers die and pass on their wealth to younger generations. Because no one […]
Read MoreChoosing a successor to take over your business doesn’t mean selecting someone who’s exactly like you or even someone you like. It’s about choosing someone who’s not only well-qualified for the role, but someone who also has the vision and skills to lead your company into the future. With so much riding on your decision, […]
Read MoreIt seems like every other week there’s another story of a multimillion-dollar family business that falls apart shortly after the current owner steps down or passes away. This sheds light on an ugly truth. Most family businesses are woefully unprepared for the existing owner to depart, especially if it’s unexpected, as is the case with […]
Read MoreLast week, we discussed three potential scenarios in which poor estate planning can cripple your business. However, the damage described in those three hypotheticals pales in comparison to what recently happened in real life to the owner of one of Canada’s hottest new startups. Gerald Cotten launched the cryptocurrency exchange QuardigaCX a little more than […]
Read MoreWhen running a business, it’s easy to give estate planning less priority than other matters. After all, if you’re facing challenges meeting next month’s payroll or your growth path over the immediate term, concerns over your potential incapacity or death can seem far less pressing. But the reality is considering what would happen to your […]
Read MoreWhile Facebook has recently developed user-friendly options for managing your personal profile in the event of your death, the company has yet to develop any streamlined way to handle your business accounts once you’re gone. Indeed, a Google search of “what happens to my Facebook account when I die” turns up tons of hits related […]
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