Real Talk to Real Timelines Agenda

Real Talk to Real Timelines >> Real Talk to Real Timelines Agenda

DAY 1 - AUGUST 12, 2026

8:30 AM: Welcome, Workshop Framing & Ground Rules

This session clarifies what succession is—and isn’t across operations, ownership, governance, and legacy, highlighting common pitfalls and proven success patterns. Including an interactive discussion on family norms to set the tone for a productive day.

9:15 AM: Vision & Values: Where are we headed?

This session focuses on aligning personal, family, and business goals by using shared values as decision filters, followed by guided work time to draft a clear, one-page Vision & Values Statement.

10:15 AM: Break

10:30 AM: Roles Today vs. Roles Tomorrow

This session builds clarity around roles, decision authority, and responsibilities while focusing on developing future leaders. Participants will map the current organization, sketch a 3–5 year future structure, and identify capability gaps—resulting in a draft org chart and successor development plan.

12:15 AM: Lunch

1:00 PM: Mapping Land, Entities & Ownership

This session explores key ownership concepts—including titles versus beneficial ownership, voting rights, leases and custom hire implications, and transfer strategies (gift vs. sale)—then guides families in mapping current assets and ownership and drafting an aspirational future structure, resulting in a clear current and future Ownership Map.

2:15 PM: Compensation, Perks & Fairness vs. Equality

This session examines fair and transparent compensation, balancing market pay with family considerations such as housing, utilities, vehicle use, and distributions vs. wages. Participants will draft a clear Compensation & Benefits Framework for on-farm vs. off-farm/family and non-family roles, resulting in defined pay bands, review practices, and benefits guidelines.

3:15 PM: Break

3:30 PM: Buy-Sell Basics & Trigger Events

This session covers key buy–sell agreement concepts, including trigger events, valuation methods, funding options, and transfer rights. Participants will draft a practical Buy–Sell Framework, resulting in a working term sheet that aligns ownership transfers with governance goals.

4:30 PM: Reflection & Homework Setup

This session prepares participants for the upcoming legal and tax discussions by outlining key inputs and timelines. Attendees will be assigned overnight homework to confirm asset lists, identify non negotiables, and compile prioritized questions for advisors.

DAY 2 - AUGUST 13, 2026

8:00 AM: Breakfast

8:30 AM: Risk & Readiness – Protecting the Plan

This session helps participants assess business and family risk readiness by reviewing key coverage areas and structural safeguards. Through guided work time, attendees will complete a Risk & Readiness Checklist, identify gaps and assign clear action steps to strengthen risk mitigation and preparedness with owners assigned.

9:15 AM: Estate & Tax Coordination

This session reviews core estate and tax planning concepts and how they support long-term business continuity. Participants will complete an Estate & Tax Planning Checklist and map how assets transfer over time, resulting in a clear “to do” list for legal and tax advisors.

10:15 AM: Break

10:30 AM: Transition Timeline & Milestones

This session focuses on planning a thoughtful, staged transition of leadership, ownership, and compensation. Participants will build a clear 12–60 month Transition Timeline outlining role handoffs, ownership steps, compensation/benefit adjustments, and governance timelines, resulting in a practical, printable roadmap for succession.

11:30 AM: Finalizing Governance & Meeting Cadence

This session establishes clear and effective governance practices by distinguishing family council and management meeting roles. Participants complete a Communication Charter that will define decision rights, communication norms, and meeting cadences, resulting in a ready-to-implement governance pack with agendas, accountability tools, and defined rhythms.

12:15 AM: Commitments & 90-Day Plan

This closing session converts ideas into action by having each participant commit to three clear priorities, with owners and due dates assigned. The outcome is a signed 90 Day Action Plan and a scheduled first check in meeting to ensure accountability and momentum.

1:30 PM – 4:30 PM: (Optional) After-Workshop One-on-One Attorney/CPA Sessions

These private 45-minute family meetings are designed to refine and operationalize workshop outputs. By reviewing each family’s Ownership Map, Buy–Sell Framework, and Estate/Tax Checklist, the one-on-one session will translate drafts into concrete next steps—such as defining advisor engagement, assembling required documents, and setting clear timelines—while addressing each family’s top priority questions in a confidential setting.