RFN Academy Communities

There are several benefits for communities who participate in an RFN Cities program, including: - Job base stabilization - Community wealth preservation - Community legacy building - Community-based problem solving - Rapid improvement plan for participating businesses - A researched ‘starting point’ for your community’s current business disruption risk - Help boomer-owned businesses in your community prepare for the transition - Stimulate business retention and expansion strategies to support your community’s growth - Create buzz and recognition for your community as a progressive leader in supporting baby boomer business owners

There are many organizations who have a vested interest in the ongoing economic success of a community. Depending on the community, there may be chambers, business communities, industry associations or for-profit organizations like community and national banks.

Once an engagement begins, RFN Cities will conduct a Business Disruption Rating (BDR) for the community. The BDR is a custom measure created to rate business disruption and economic liability for communities as a result of the impending tsunami of baby boomer owned businesses who are not prepared to transition. This provides data-driven insights to inform community and business leaders about the problem and raise public awareness. Community business owners are offered access to an automated business benchmark assessment tool. Businesses who will be participating in the workshop will be required to complete this assessment and will have a Certified Exit Planner (CEPA) review their results personally. Chambers and program partners will be able to promote as a free service. For an additional fee, community partners could receive a compilation with high-level results from the businesses in your community. Finally, there will be a custom Business Transition and Preparedness Report for your community with a summary of the findings and an overview of the various resources available to those considering, transferring, acquiring, exiting or expanding a business in your community.

Community business owners are offered access to an automated business benchmark assessment tool. Businesses who will be participating in the workshop will be required to complete this assessment and will have a Certified Exit Planner Advisor (CEPA) review their results personally. Chambers and program partners will be able to promote as a free service. The RFN Cities program offers your business owners access to leading-edge online education tools, cohort-based learning and integrated value acceleration workshops with up to 200 businesses per workshop. The workshop features sessions from a dynamic group of professionals including a combination of: value acceleration professionals, certified exit planning advisors, economic development leaders plus experts in the area of tax, estate, wealth, insurance, mergers and acquisitions, employee ownership and more.

There are up to four, half-day workshops each with up to 50 participants. The venue will need to accommodate all 50 people in one space with appropriate audio-visual equipment plus there will be up to four breakout rooms required for each half-day workshop. In general terms, the venue should be: - Centrally located - Easily accessible - Ample (free preferred) parking Light beverage service is recommended and the community may choose to offer more substantial food and beverage offerings.