Next Plateau Consulting LLC is a Chicago-based consulting firm dedicated to providing closely-held business owners with the resources they need to effectively manage, grow and transition through the stages of their business and personal lives. At Next Plateau we work with you to develop a comprehensive exit plan that will fit your specific needs. Exiting a business means different things to different people and exit strategies can vary significantly. An owner's goal may be to simply free up time, energy and resources to explore other interests, or they may want to walk away from the business completely. Most likely, an owner's goals are somewhere in between. Choosing the best exit strategy involves a careful assessment of your personal, family and business goals and circumstances. While financial needs are certainly an important factor, there are many other considerations that need to be factored into a well-planned exit strategy. If you know these strategies and decide in advance which one is best for you, then you have a better chance of leaving your business under terms and conditions you choose. Without planning, you are more likely to settle for terms and conditions beyond your control. A comprehensive exit plan will consist of some or all of the following areas: Personal Financial, Retirement & Estate Planning Business Valuation Services Value Enhancement Strategies Business Structure & Tax Planning Services Executive Compensation & Bonus Plans Business Plans & Financial Projections Benchmarking & Industry Comparisons Due Diligence Services & Secure Electronic Data Records Merger & Acquisition Representation