The majority of rural companies are micro-companies employing less than 10 employees, and their change of ownership is a very local phenomenon. In the majority of ownership changes, the buyer is found in the same or a nearby town or is already known to the seller. Entrepreneurs are widely reached at local occasions and events. Their success is important for the development of companies before and after the change of ownership. SeAMK and Kehittämisyhdistys Liiveri implemented the "Success in business" event in Ilmajoki. Based on that, the recipe for a local change of business owner event would look like the following.
Attention to the theme
The theme of the event should draw attention to one of the central issues of the change of ownership in a way that is interesting to entrepreneurs. When the organizers are a diverse group of experts in the change of ownership, the best effectiveness is achieved. Ownership changes are individual and listeners' expectations of the content vary widely. It may be a generational change or the entrepreneur may be at retirement age. Or a buyer suddenly walks through the company's door, and the entrepreneur hasn't even thought about selling the company yet.
When organizing a local event, the municipality brings to the event an overall view of the situation of local businesses. The municipality's vitality services are often the first point of contact when planning things related to entrepreneurship. Free and paid services are available for the change of ownership process. When a business acquisition becomes relevant, it is best to turn to the free change of ownership advice for entrepreneurs in South Ostrobothnia, which can also introduce paid expert services if necessary.
Finnvera is the public financier of the acquisition and an expert in financing. Local Leader groups can offer support to the buyer in planning the acquisition when the company to be purchased is located in a rural area. Membership of the business association brings to the company a wide network of experts in various fields, which should be utilized in business transactions. And as the cherry on top of the cake, it's worth hearing from an entrepreneur who made a business deal. His personal experiences with both experts and emotions can be the most inspiring speech.
A culture of cooperation
The large group of organizers of the event strengthens the message, when each one communicates about the event in their own channels and to their own customers. This requires a strong culture of cooperation. It would be good to have the space and catering of the event support the goal of the event. However, locally you have to go with the options that are available. In Ilmajoki, a local accounting firm brought people to the event and was responsible for organizing the catering. The room was full of people and the service was exactly as it should be.
Today, Leader groups have accumulated a lot of valuable practical experience in cooperation with local and regional actors. Organizing local meetings and events is an essential part of the leader's work. If your own group doesn't seem to be proactive about organizing a change of ownership event, be yourself and get in touch. According to our experience, at least the attitude towards the idea can probably be characterized as interested.
Active communication
In communication, it is good to be a responsible person who ensures that communication is active and speaks to entrepreneurs. Professional and multi-channel communication about the upcoming event is one of the keys to success. When talking about a local event, showing off to a friend and coming to the event together is quite a desirable phenomenon. The atmosphere could even be curious. What experiences do the initiators and other participants have with changes in company ownership? On the other hand, what thoughts would I like to share with others?
In the regional business changeover ecosystem, local events have their place, which requires key local actors and good cooperation with provincial actors to redeem them. It is a good goal to organize successful events and, with them, give a boost to the local business life.
Sinikka Koivumäki
Executive Director
Kehittämisyhdistys Liiveri ry
Juha Tall
R&D expert
Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences