15 - Gandalf or Gollum? The Role of Your Business Attorney in Transition Planning

Today's Poised for Exit Show featured Chris Cuneo, an attorney with Ballard Spahr, whose long-standing reputation and expertise in Minneapolis is rivaled only by his own sense of humor! Chris compared a relationship with your attorney to be like Gandalf or Gollum from Lord of the Rings; both being different species of 'Guide'. Listen to the show to get the gist of the analogy and learn why "Gandalf" is preferable....According to Chris Cuneo, an Attorney's most important attributes when guiding an owner through a Transition are:1. Technical Expertise2. Service Orientation3. Collaborative4. Business Acumen5. Sense of HumorLower middle market businesses have challenges unique to their company size that larger companies don't have, which requires a unique set of skills from their attorneys. Many owners are focused on controlling things to the point that they've not created a company that's easily marketable. Chris said his 3 word mantra for business owners is "Build Transferable Value".  For more golden nuggets of advice, listen to the show and contact Chris at [email protected] Chris here: https://www.ballardspahr.com/people/attorneys/cuneo-christopherFind Julie here: https://www.poisedforexit.com/podcast Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLCFounder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor