A business resilience philosophy
Implement the core principles for an independently successful and highly valuable business.
Your business may be financially successful, but you are probably still too central to many decisions.
You might feel stuck, overwhelmed or lonely. Or you may be in an SME startup and thinking about how to scale resiliently.
Succession Thinking™ is a business-building approach to help you build a resilient business that can be successful beyond you, creating sustained value and delivering long-term success.
The application of Succession Thinking™ can deliver this while also increasing the value of your business. And it is an approach to building your SME where you don’t lose your entrepreneurial roots.
This book supports you as an Owner to be clear about what you want and how to deliver it. It helps you in build a stewardship system that is specifically designed for you as an owner and leader of a small or medium business.
The five core principles of Succession Thinking™
How to build a resilient business and deliver sustained value.
Seek role clarity
The nature of business means you probably perform a variety of roles within the operation, some with a lack of visibility. Naturally this can lead to confusion within the organisation, and yourself. Creating role clarity is a starting point for building your business strategy, including recognising the difference between your roles as an owner and/or a leader.
Define your vision
Your vision for the business is the source for all decision making. It is the combination of the destinational star on the horizon and the guard rails you’ve already established in your business to help guide you there. These guard rails are vital because when you hand over decision making rights and are less hands-on, they will continue to provide safety and support.
Empower leadership beyond you
A critical measure of ‘succession thinking’ is understanding how leadership can work in your business when you are keen to relinquish roles and responsibilities. Distributing leadership to others and empowering them to realise the goals and aspirations for the business is a necessary path to tread.
Embed lasting culture
Differentiation starts with culture. Creating an organisational culture that reflects modern thinking allows you to attract capable people and future leaders who want to exit the old paradigm of corporate culture. Attracting and retaining those who align with your goals and vision organically is the first step to producing sustainable culture.
Build your business way
Documenting what you want to do generates a data set for future leaders. It provides the clarity and support required to build genuine resilience and adaptability into your business. Creating ‘your business way’ - anchored in your vision - is a step towards future-proofing your organisational objectives even after you have passed on responsibilities to others.
Seek role clarity
The nature of business means you probably perform a variety of roles within the operation, some with a lack of visibility. Naturally this can lead to confusion within the organisation, and yourself. Creating role clarity is a starting point for building your business strategy, including recognising the difference between your roles as an owner and/or a leader.
Define your vision
Your vision for the business is the source for all decision making. It is the combination of the destinational star on the horizon and the guard rails you’ve already established in your business to help guide you there. These guard rails are vital because when you hand over decision making rights and are less hands-on, they will continue to provide safety and support.
Empower leadership beyond you
A critical measure of ‘succession thinking’ is understanding how leadership can work in your business when you are keen to relinquish roles and responsibilities. Distributing leadership to others and empowering them to realise the goals and aspirations for the business is a necessary path to tread.
Embed lasting culture
Differentiation starts with culture. Creating an organisational culture that reflects modern thinking allows you to attract capable people and future leaders who want to exit the old paradigm of corporate culture. Attracting and retaining those who align with your goals and vision organically is the first step to producing sustainable culture.
Build your business way
Documenting what you want to do generates a data set for future leaders. It provides the clarity and support required to build genuine resilience and adaptability into your business. Creating ‘your business way’ - anchored in your vision - is a step towards future-proofing your organisational objectives even after you have passed on responsibilities to others.
Bill Withers is a seasoned business owner and leader
Starting out in 1987, he embarked on a transformative 36-year journey that shaped his profound understanding of Succession Thinking™.
Throughout this period, he led three distinct SMEs, each with its unique visions and purposes. Bill’s ventures weren’t just businesses; they were integral in the discovery and funding of their successors, revealing the enduring nature of value creation.
It was within the intricate dynamics of leadership and decision-making that he recognised the essence of long-term success, emphasising the vital role of culture and people in this equation.
Starting his professional life as a technician, Bill found his passion as a computer programmer, a role that allowed him to invent solutions and unravel complicated problems.
Over 15 years, he adeptly transitioned into various roles, including owner, director, organisation leader, and team leader.
The founding of acQuire in 1996 marked a pivotal moment in his career, where he not only honed his skills as a leader and owner-director but also uncovered the power of role clarity and seamless role handovers.
This revelation became the foundation of his succession thinking, weaving together the threads of experience and insight. Driven by an unwavering passion for equality of opportunity and the vision of a stable society, Bill Withers passionately advocated for SMEs as the cornerstone of a resilient economy.
His belief in succession thinking as a means to enhance SME stewardship and redirect capital towards these vital economic contributors shaped his mission. In his perspective, a network of 100,000 strong SMEs stood as a testament to anti-fragility, countering the vulnerabilities of ‘too big to fail’ corporations.
"SMEs represent the essence of humanity in business, fostering innovation even in the face of scarce resources."
A lesson on succession planning
Succession Thinking™ and succession planning FAQs
Explain Succession Thinking™ vs succession planning?
What is succession thinking and why is it important for businesses?
How does role clarity contribute to effective succession planning?
What are the benefits of seamless role handovers in organizations?
How can SMEs leverage succession thinking to enhance their stewardship?
What role do SMEs play in creating a stable and resilient economy?
How does succession thinking help redirect capital towards vital economic contributors?
What is the concept of antifragility in the context of SMEs?
How do SMEs foster innovation despite scarce resources?
What is the significance of equality of opportunity in business succession?
How does succession thinking reflect the human spirit in business?
How do you handle succession planning in a family business?
What role do current employees play in succession planning?
When is the right time to start succession planning?
How does succession planning protect my company's future?
What makes an effective business succession plan?
Explore Succession Thinking™ further
Book Bill as a speaker or request a complementary owners workshop with a Succession Thinking™ mentor.