In this episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, Andy Farquharson sits down with Matt Hancock, a consultant at Praxis Consulting Group and co-founder of Chicago Tech Academy, to explore how organizations can create thriving ownership cultures. Matt shares his journey from Italy’s cooperative economy to working with U.S. employee-owned companies, offering invaluable insights into how leaders can foster innovation, resilience, and inclusivity in employee ownership.

He discusses the building blocks of ownership culture, from education and leadership development to continuous improvement practices, and highlights the long-term benefits of investing in people. This episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking stories that will inspire any business owner considering employee ownership. Don’t miss out on this engaging conversation—listen now to unlock the full potential of ownership culture!

Key Takeaways:

• The essential link between rights and responsibilities in ownership culture.
• How education and leadership are the foundation of successful employee ownership.
• The transformative impact of continuous improvement practices in employee-owned companies.
• How transparency and financial literacy empower employees to think and act like owners.
• How aligning leadership values with organizational goals creates long-term resilience.

About Matt Hancock:

Matt Hancock helps organizations develop ownership cultures that are inclusive, resilient, and innovative. In addition to employee-owned firms, Matt has extensive experience working with labor-management partnerships and non-profit organizations in the United States and the European Union.

Prior to joining Praxis, Matt co-founded Chicago Tech Academy (ChiTech), Chicago’s first technology-focused high school. Matt began his career in Bologna, Italy, where he earned a Master’s in Cooperative Economics from the University of Bologna. He authored a book, Compete to Cooperate, about the cooperative movement there. He holds a BA in history from Skidmore College, a Green Belt in Lean/Six Sigma and is the past Chair of The ESOP Association’s Ownership Culture Committee.

Connect with Matt Hancock:

• Website - https://www.praxiscg.com/team/matthew-hancock-mba

Connect with Andy Farquharson:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq
• Website - https://abettermonday.me/
• Email - andy@abettermonday.me

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, Andy Farquharson interviews Simon Morton, founder of Eyeful Presentations and author of Employee Ownership: A Guide to Transitioning from Boss to Benefactor. Simon shares his journey of transitioning his company to employee ownership after nearly two decades, highlighting the challenges, successes, and deeply personal motivations behind his decision.

He provides actionable advice on leadership, communication, and creating a legacy through employee ownership, while also offering a candid look at the emotional and practical aspects of letting go. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone considering employee ownership as an exit strategy. Tune in to hear Simon’s inspiring story and expert advice!

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of strong leadership and coaching before transitioning to employee ownership.
• Open communication as the cornerstone of a successful employee ownership transition.
• How aligning personal and business goals creates a sustainable legacy.
• The transformative impact of empowering employees to think and act like owners.
• The balance between financial goals and the emotional satisfaction of leaving a lasting legacy.

About Simon Morton:

Simon Morton is an internationally recognized expert on presentation development, and is the founder of Eyeful Presentations, one of the top three presentation consultancy and design companies in the world. Serving customers from more than 20 countries via five global offices, Simon has worked with top brands and thought-leaders, helping them to develop presentations that get the job done.

He is well known for his concept challenging views on modern business presentations and in this series, he discusses his book, ‘The Presentation Lab: Learn the Formula Behind Powerful Presentations’ with Grant Leboff.

Connect with Simon Morton:

• Website - https://eyefulpresentations.com/
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/morts-uk/

Connect with Andy Farqurhason:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq
• Website - https://abettermonday.me/
• Email - andy@abettermonday.me

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, Andy Farquharson interviews Chris Budd, founder of the Eternal Business Consultancy, to explore how employee ownership trusts (EOTs) can help business owners preserve their legacy and build enduring organizations. Chris shares his journey from business owner to employee ownership advocate, emphasizing the importance of planning, preparation, and engaging employees in the process.

Through Chris’s insights, listeners gain a comprehensive view of EOTs as a viable path for business continuity and employee engagement. Don’t miss this episode for a deep dive into creating a lasting legacy through employee ownership.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of aligning purpose with employee ownership.
• How EOTs offer a path to sustainable legacy-building.
• Preparation to ensure smooth employee ownership transitions.
• How employee voice strengthens business culture.
• Guide founders on how to step back and let employees lead.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Eternal Business - https://theeternalbusiness.com/the-book/

About Chris Budd:

Chris started out as a self-employed independent financial adviser in 1998 (incorporating as Ovation on 1st January 2000) with a strong vision. At the time, financial advice was all about product sales and high up-front commissions. Chris believed that financial advice should be more about planning and a long-term relationship with clients. At the time, he was laughed at (quite literally) for these ideas. All these years later, Ovation delivers planning and advice in a way that makes Chris and our wonderful team very proud.

The Managing Director of Ovation for 20 years, Chris also founded the Initiative for Financial Wellbeing, the Eternal Business Consultancy and the Backwell Flax Bourton Cricket Club youth section. Now, as Chair, Chris supports the amazing employees of Ovation. He loves the fact that everyone here believes in the core purpose he set out to achieve: helping clients to be happier.

Connect with Chris Budd:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-budd-80b75413/
• Website - https://theeternalbusiness.com/

Connect with Andy Farquhason:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq
• Website - https://abettermonday.me/
• Email - andy@abettermonday.me

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, Andy Farquharson interviews Matt Cropp, Executive Director of the Vermont Employee Ownership Center, who sheds light on the far-reaching impact of employee ownership on businesses, communities, and individual wealth.

Matt shares stories from Vermont’s leading employee-owned companies, discussing the nuances of ESOPs versus worker cooperatives, and why these models lead to stronger communities and resilient companies. Dive in to discover how employee ownership is transforming business legacies and creating sustainable economic growth.

Key Takeaways:

• How employee ownership deepens employees' connection to their work and community.
• The differences between ESOPs and worker cooperatives.
• How Vermont businesses succeed with employee ownership.
• The long-term community benefits of employee-owned businesses.
• How employee ownership builds retirement security and resilience in downturns.

Resources Mentioned:

• Carris Reels - https://carris.com/

About Matt Cropp:

Matt has been with the organization since 2014, where he has developed deep expertise in employee ownership while serving in a variety of roles before becoming Executive Director. Matt received his MA in History from UVM in 2011, where he studied economic history and the origins of cooperative finance. He's involved on a volunteer basis with a number of co-op projects, including as a board member of two real estate co-ops, as chair of an investment club, and as a member of a credit union supervisory committee.

Matt lives in the New North End of Burlington with his partner and their son, and in his free time enjoys gardening, tinkering with electronics and sustainable energy tech, and spending nice days rolling around town on his bike at a leisurely pace.

Connect with Matt Cropp:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cropp-9b9b5137/
• Website - https://www.veoc.org/team

Connect with Andy Farquhason:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq
• Website - https://abettermonday.me/
• Email - andy@abettermonday.me

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, Andy sits down with Jon Shell, Chair of Social Capital Partners, to explore the transformative potential of employee ownership. Jon shares insights from his journey in advocacy and policy, recounting how he’s championed for Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) in Canada to address wealth inequality and business succession.

His experiences highlight the advantages of EOTs, from preserving a company’s legacy to fostering economic resilience in the workforce. Tune in to discover the future of ownership and its role in reshaping business culture and social equity.

Key Takeaways:

• How Employee Ownership Trusts empower business owners to leave a lasting legacy.
• The role of employee ownership in combating wealth inequality.
• Canada’s steps toward adopting EOTs for sustainable economic transitions.
• The tangible impact of majority-owned employee businesses in economic recessions.
• How Social Capital Partners leverages ownership funds for wider social outcomes.

Resources Mentioned:

• Capital in the Twenty-First Century - https://www.amazon.com/Capital-Twenty-Century-Thomas-Piketty/dp/067443000X

About Jon Shell:

Jon Shell is Chair of Social Capital Partners (SCP) and has been advocating to bring Employee Ownership Trusts to Canada since the release of SCP’s report Building an Employee Ownership Economy in 2020. He’s a former small business owner and co-founder of the Canadian Employee Ownership Coalition. Jon was Managing Director of SCP from 2017-2023, leading the transition to our Ownership Agenda. He spent most of his career in the private sector before joining SCP, founding and growing successful companies in both Canada and Australia.

Jon co-founded both Save Small Business and the Canadian Employee Ownership Coalition. Jon was first introduced to SCP when Bill supported a volunteer entrepreneurship project he was leading in Kenya in 2008. He received a BA from Queen’s University and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University.

Connect with Jon Shell:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-shell-8952491
• Website - https://www.socialcapitalpartners.ca/

Connect with Andy Farquharson:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq
• Website - https://abettermonday.me/
• Email - andy@abettermonday.me

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, host Andy Farquharson talks with Derek Razo, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Common Trust, about the transformative role of Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) in helping business owners transition ownership to employees while preserving company legacy and culture.

Derek highlights the benefits of EOTs as an effective alternative to traditional exits, especially for small to mid-sized businesses, and shares how this model fosters a culture of collective ownership and profit-sharing. Join the conversation to understand how EOTs are not only changing business succession but also reshaping communities by promoting shared wealth.

Key Takeaways:

• How EOTs empower employees to share in the company’s success.
• How employee ownership helps preserve business legacy and culture.
• Why EOTs are more accessible and scalable than ESOPs.
• How employee ownership transforms communities by creating local wealth.
• The essential role of an ownership culture in driving business resilience.

Resources Mentioned:

• Text-Em-All - https://www.youtube.com/@TextEmAll

About Derek Razo:

Derek Razo, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Common Trust, is a leading expert in steward ownership transitions and has been instrumental in advancing the movement for purpose-driven business structures since 2016. He has co-founded influential organizations like Purpose International and Purpose US, which popularized the use of Perpetual Purpose Trusts for mission protection.

He has served as an investor, advisor, and delivery partner for businesses shifting to stakeholder and purpose ownership models. With a computer science and business background from UC Berkeley, Derek’s diverse experience spans from founding cooperative and open source businesses to collaborating on community-led projects in affordable housing and indigenous-led funds.

Connect with Derek Razo:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-razo-b758a7270/
• Website - https://www.common-trust.com/

Connect with Andy Farquharson:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq
• Website - https://abettermonday.me/
• Email - andy@abettermonday.me

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Alternative Exit, Andy talks to Professor Ajay Bhalla, PhD, a Professor of Family Business at Bayes Business School and an expert in employee ownership. Ajay discusses the profound benefits and challenges of transitioning businesses to employee-owned models, drawing from both research and real-world examples, such as John Lewis and Make Architects.

He emphasizes the importance of aligning employee ownership with company culture, maintaining profitability, and ensuring legacy. Ajay also explores how businesses can overcome financial challenges during this transition, with the right planning and external support. Don't miss this episode if you're curious about how employee ownership can boost engagement, foster innovation, and preserve business legacy.

Key Takeaways:

• How successful employee ownership requires founders to trust in the profitability and sustainability of the business.
• Understanding the critical role that creating a strong employee culture plays in successful ownership transitions.
• Discovering how external patient capital can bridge the gap in financing employee buyouts.
• Learning about the flexibility and creativity employee-owned businesses gain during economic downturns.
• The importance of starting the transition to employee ownership early for a smooth and profitable process.

Resources Mentioned:

• Employee Ownership Association in the UK - https://employeeownership.co.uk/

About Ajay Balla:

Born into a third generation family business in India, Ajay is regarded as one of the leading global experts on family businesses and strategy. Over the past 25 years, Ajay has worked closely with family businesses across the world, advising them on issues ranging from family governance, succession, next generation engagement to digital transformation. He is currently a Chaired Professor of Family Business & Innovation and Director of Family Business Centre at Bayes Business School of City, University of London.

He also sits on the board of Institute for Family Business (IFB) Research Foundation.

His work stream on ownership has helped shape British government’s policy on promoting employee ownership. He has won multiple awards for his research including the most prestigious award for producing impactful research from Academy of Management and Charted Management Institute (CMI).

Winner of multiple teaching awards, he is most passionate about helping next generation leaders build resilient family businesses. He is the co-author of Amazon Best-seller: The Resilient Decision Maker: Navigating Challenges in Business and Life.

Connect with Ajay Balla:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajaybhalla/
• Website - https://www.ajaybhalla.org/

Connect with Andy Farquharson:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq
• Website - https://abettermonday.me/
• Email - andy@abettermonday.me

In this episode of The Alternative Exit, Andy sits down with James De le Vingne, CEO of the Employee Ownership Association in the UK, to discuss the rise of employee ownership as a viable business model for succession. James shares how the introduction of the Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) has transformed the landscape for SMEs, allowing businesses to become financially free while benefiting employees and local communities.

With examples of thriving employee-owned companies and discussions on the challenges and flexibility of the model, this conversation is a deep dive into the future of work and ownership. Tune in to learn why employee ownership might just be the future of business success.

Key Takeaways:

• The flexibility of employee ownership models which allows businesses to customize them to fit their unique needs.
• How employee ownership shifts employee mindsets and improves workplace culture.
• Exploring how the Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) can help businesses achieve financial freedom while benefiting employees.
• The role of supportive legislation and professional services in facilitating the adoption of employee ownership models.
• Real-life examples of businesses thriving after transitioning to employee ownership and clearing their founder’s debt.

About James De le Vingne:

James is Chief Executive of the Employee Ownership Association, the UK’s leading voice on employee ownership, representing a sector that contributes between £30 to 40 bn a year to UK GDP as well as a membership organisation for UK businesses of private or public sector origin, that are wholly or partially owned by their employees.

Previously James was Head of Development at Co-operatives UK and has a background in international development and local economic development. James is a Board member of Scotland for EO, an Executive Fellow of the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing at Rutgers University and an RSA Fellow.

Connect with James De le Vingne:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-delevingne/
• Website - https://employeeownership.co.uk/

Connect with Andy Farquharson:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq
• Website - https://abettermonday.me/
• Email - andy@abettermonday.me