Creating a Legacy - Grand Rapids

Creating a Legacy

This business planning seminar and panel discussion features internationally renowned family business expert Tom Deans, PhD, author of the #1 best-selling book on protecting family wealth, Every Family’s Business, recommended by The New York Times as one of the 10 books every business owner should read. An award-winning speaker, Tom will share his proven strategies for determining the future of your family business once you’re ready to hand over the reins. Families that are upfront and realistic about their goals can seamlessly transition family assets and preserve family wealth while avoiding jealousy, sibling rivalry and potential legal complications.

Key takeaways will include:

• Common misconceptions about gifting a family business

• 12 Common Sense Questions for getting a succession plan started

• Opportunities for families to find their own succession solutions

• Strategies for protecting wealth that the world’s dynastic families have known for centuries

Following Tom’s presentation, a panel of professional experts from BDO, Charter Capital Partners, and Miller Johnson will share their professional insights and answer your questions regarding mapping out the legacy of your family business. Attendees will receive a copy of the book, Every Family’s Business, which delves deeper into the planning process. Light snacks will be served.

Agenda

• 3:00pm: Networking and Hors d'Oeuvres

• 3:30pm: Introductions and Keynote Speaker

• 4:30pm: Panel Discussion

• 5:30pm: Q&A

• 6:00pm: Conclusion

Sponsored by:

About the Keynote Speaker

Dr. Thomas William Deans is the author of the all-time best-selling family business book, Every Family’s Business and Willing Wisdom. He offers a compelling argument about why families need to be clear about what they intend the legacy of their family business to be. Tom's 12 Common Sense Questions have helped thousands of owners successfully map the legacy of their family businesses. Having delivered more than 500 convention keynotes and seminars in 14 countries, he has built an international reputation as a thought leader on the subject of intergenerational wealth transfer.

Tom's lectures and books argue that family has emerged as the greatest economic driver of all time. But the question remains: How can wealth be transferred successfully without destroying the recipient and the wealth itself? It is a question for the times, as the greatest generation of wealth creators move toward retirement in record numbers. Tom explores the idea that communication is crucial to the success of that transfer, and indeed to the success of individuals, families and communities.

Tom has had a distinguished career in banking, was CEO of a multinational corporation for a decade, was president of a railway and chairman of his local hospital foundation. He has chaired a federal government committee on tax credits and is a regular commentator to national and international media outlets on the subjects of entrepreneurship, philanthropy and estate planning.

He has been featured in numerous magazines and journals including Profit, Money Sense, Investment Executive and The New York Times and is a frequent guest on CBC, MoneyLine and BNN.