One attractive benefit of an ESOP is how employee ownership empowers employees to actively participate in furthering the success of the company. ESOP committees provide opportunities for you to make meaningful contributions and help your colleagues truly take ownership of their futures ..read more

There are just a few months between now and October — the official start of the month-long celebration of all things ESOP. There are generally two reactions to this news: Consider these months as plenty of time to prepare and put a note on your to-do list for later, or grab the opportunity to make this year’s Employee Ownership Month engaging, interactive, and fun for your employee-owners. As advisors to ESOP-businesses third-party administrators and an employee-owned company ourselves, the ESOP Partners team is aware of the opportunities that Employee Ownership Month offers. There are 31 day ..read more

Synthetic equity is a versatile solution for companies wishing to engage and reward employees in ways that tie the incentives to business performance, individual contribution, or other criteria. Stock options, stock appreciation rights (SARs), and deferred compensation plans are forms of synthetic equity. They offer the financial advantages of owning company stock without granting actual equity. For S Corporations already structured as Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), the benefits of providing synthetic equity to employees who already hold vested interest may not be readily apparent. H ..read more

Most private business owners get one shot in life to make a smart ownership transition, whether they choose to sell to a private equity investor, a competitor or partner organization, management employees or family members, or to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). So it’s crucial to know you’ve investigated every possibility and explored the pros and cons of all your options. That’s what Greg Linnemanstons, president of Weidert Group, a 100% employee-owned agency specializing in business-to-business marketing and sales services for complex industrial companies, learned when he started t ..read more

Businesses invest considerable time and resources into crafting compelling brand stories about products and services. The goal is to influence sales, build trust, and grow relationships with customers who have become true brand evangelists. Branding is the heartbeat of corporate America — but do you have the pulse on your employer branding strategy? Your employer brand, which is built on your reputation among current and former employees, is a key lens through which job seekers often view your company.  Employee perspectives often offer potential applicants and candidates insights into l ..read more

In the age of generative artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and other powerful technologies, digital transformation in the business world continues to change how work gets done. Along with greater productivity and improved results also comes a new way of thinking about work — and, like the tools of digital transformation, the roots trace to the Silicon Valley. The so-called “4 Geek Norms” of speed, ownership, science, and openness emphasize building company culture on company norms instead of organizational structure. Doing so allows space for doing the work digital tools enable ..read more

According to the National Center for Employee Ownership, there are nearly 6,300 ESOP companies, and an average of 250 more join the ranks each year. Maybe your organization has made the decision to become an ESOP, or maybe you’re already an ESOP and hiring new employees. Either way, you’re met with the job of onboarding new ESOP participants — a task that can be both challenging and rewarding. How do you convey ESOP plan basics in a way that’s thorough yet easy to understand? How do you paint a picture of an ESOP company culture that engages participants in the excitement and responsibility o ..read more

Employee owners often come to understand the value of their ESOP over time as they experience the effects on workplace culture and their personal retirement wealth.  They may get a sense from the beginning that ESOPs are different, but they might find it challenging at first to articulate the benefits of an ESOP on their financial security and employee experience. A deeper appreciation of employee ownership is often nurtured over time, fostering a sense of belonging and commitment, and driving productivity and loyalty that benefit both the individual and the organization. But it’s typica ..read more

Business leaders understand the importance of balance in growing a sustainable company, and make daily decisions that demand attention to finding the right level of equilibrium. New opportunities bring potential for both risk and reward. You have to meet today’s business needs while anticipating tomorrow’s. Balance is especially important for employee stock ownership plans and the companies they own — and it grows increasingly important as an ESOP matures. In a nutshell, here’s why:  As an ESOP matures and pays off its initial debts to business lenders and note holders, its tax advantage ..read more

Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) can be a flexible tool in a company’s compensation package, offering a valuable retirement benefit that can help support business growth, too. Are you an employee-owner looking for information about in-service distributions?  Every ESOP is unique. As you’ll see in this article, not all plans share the same features, policies, and rules. If you have questions about your ESOP rules and policies, your company’s plan administrator should be your first call. That versatility can make an ESOP an attractive component of a comprehensive employee benefits pa ..read more