• Authority

  • 1. If you were hospitalized tomorrow, is there someone who could sign a contract that absolutely could not wait?*
  • 2. Is there someone besides you who can legally access the business bank accounts?*
  • 3. Is there someone authorized to approve payroll and pay critical expenses?*
  • 4. Is there someone authorized to approve payroll and pay critical expenses?*
  • 5. Could your team continue operating for 30 days without waiting for your approval on routine matters?*

  • Information

  • 6. Could your team continue operating for 30 days without waiting for your approval on routine matters?*
  • 7. If your biggest customer called tomorrow, would someone besides you know who they are and what they need?*
  • 8. Could someone easily find important contracts and agreements?*
  • 9. Would your spouse or business partner know who to call if the business suffered a major loss tomorrow?*
  • 10. Are tax, accounting, and financial records organized and accessible?*

  • Operations

  • 11. If you took a three-week vacation with no phone service, would the business function normally?*
  • 12. Could someone else explain how your business actually runs to a new hire?*
  • 13. Could customer commitments continue to be fulfilled without your direct involvement?*
  • 14. Would employees know who is in charge if you were unavailable?*
  • 15. Could the business realistically operate for 90 days without you?*

  • The Empty Chair

  • 16. If you were unavailable for 90 days, would revenue continue to come in?*
  • 17. If your spouse got a call that you were in the ICU, would they know what to do first?*
  • 18. If you were gone for 90 days, would your key people know exactly what to do next?*
  • 19. Would your employees feel confident about the future of the business if you disappeared tomorrow?*
  • 20. If you were unavailable tomorrow, is there someone who could ACTUALLY sit in your chair?*

  • One Last Question

  • Have you ever actually told them that?*
  • Should be Empty: