CURRICULUM GUIDE
INDIANAPOLIS,IN
WELCOME TO THE FALL FORUM
About half of the people I speak with at the Fall Forum seem surprised by the warmth and supportiveness of the employee ownership community. The other half already know it. I love these conversations, because our community is truly what makes employee ownership so powerful (and the more people who know this, the better).
At the Forum, you can cherry-pick your sessions based on the topics and issues that are most relevant to you. Our curriculum includes everything you’d expect, from sustainability and the repurchase obligation, to ownership culture and recruitment and retention. If you’re looking for a deeper discussion, you’ve come to the right place—the NCEO worked hard to design this year’s Fall Forum to be even more focused on solutions.
We assembled clusters of sessions that build on one another, so if you’d like, you can grow your skill level from basic to advanced over the course of just this one event. Some top-of-mind issues include making acquisitions, building an owner’s manual, fostering innovations, making the best use of technology, and staying ahead of the curve on regulatory requirements.
I want to thank the people who generously offered to share their time and expertise to create and lead sessions at the Forum this year. The attention to detail and innovative thinking that went into each and every speaker proposal is obvious from the richness of the agenda.
Welcome to the Indianapolis gathering of the employee ownership community.
ACQUISITIONS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
2:15 PM–3:15 PM Concurrent Session 2
Acquisition Strategies for ESOP Companies Basics to Financials Bringing Well-Being into the Workplace How Can Research on ESOPs Be Useful for You?
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
9:10 AM–10:40 AM Concurrent Session 4
Valuation Considerations in Acquistions
1:45 PM–3:00 PM Concurrent Session 6
The Ins and Outs of Successful Acquisitions
3:15 PM–4:15 PM Concurrent Session 7 Acquisition Capital for ESOP Companies
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
9:00 AM–10:30 AM Concurrent Session 9
Culture, the Forgotten Component of Successful Acquisitions
10:45 AM–11:45 AM Concurrent Session 10
Unsolicited Offers and M&A–ESOP Challenges
BUILDING AN OWNER’S
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
9:00 AM–11:30 AM Preforum Workshops
Get in the Game: Creating a High-Involvement Ownership Culture
10:00 AM–11:00 AM Direct Employee Ownership | 1-Day Workshop
Tadem Pathways- Direct Employee Ownership
1:00 PM–2:15 PM Concurrent Session 1
Foundations of a Successful ESOP-Owned Company
3:30 PM–4:30 PM Concurrent Session 3
How to Structure Your Company Now for Consistent Growth in the Future
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
1:45 PM–3:00 PM Concurrent Session 6
Develop and Utilize Guiding Principles to Empower
Employee-Owners to Make Decisions That Support the Company's Goals and Visions
3:15 PM–4:15 PM Concurrent Session 7
Communicating Value Drivers for a Successful ESOP Culture
BUILDING AN OWNER’S MANUAL
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
9:00 AM–10:30 AM Concurrent Session 9
Self-Funding Incentives That Transform Your Ownership Culture
10:45 AM–11:45 AM Concurrent Session 10
Getting to the Checkered Flag: Having the Right Professional Team for a Successful ESOP to Win the Race
A Partner You Can Trust
Hiring TI-TRUST has several advantages. Our fiduciary procedures have been developed over decades of serving the ESOP Community and ESOP companies and our procedures have carefully been crafted and honed to provide protection to ESOP plans.
Our depth of experience cannot be duplicated or created except by long tenured dedication to serving as an institutional trustee to ESOP companies. Visit ti-trust.com for more information.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
1:00 PM–2:15 PM Concurrent Session 1 Leveraging AI for Ethical and Effective Employee Ownership Communications
2:15 PM–3:15 PM Concurrent Session 2 Bringing Well-Being into the Workplace
3:30 PM–4:30 PM Concurrent Session 3
Thriving Together: Cultivating Resilient Teams in Challenging Times
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
9:10 AM–10:40 AM Concurrent Session 4
Creating an Employee Ownership Culture with a Hybrid/Remote Workforce
1:45 PM–3:00 PM Concurrent Session 6 StoryBrand for Employee Ownership: Create Compelling Messages for Your Team, Customers, and Community
3:15 PM–4:15 PM Concurrent Session 7
Fostering Inclusive Workplaces: Leveraging EvidenceBased Research to Overcome Unconscious Bias in Team Leadership
4:30 PM–5:15 PM Concurrent Session 8
The Stay Interview as a Retention Tool
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
9:00 AM–10:30 AM Concurrent Session 9
The Heart of the Company: Leveraging Employee Ownership Throughout the Employee Life Cycle
10:45 AM–11:45 AM Concurrent Session 10
Driving a Culture of Learning
12:50 PM–1:50 PM Concurrent Session 11
Win–Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive
Bottom-Line Success
MANAGING IN AN ESOP
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
1:00 PM–2:15 PM Concurrent Session 1
Start Somewhere: Leadership Development in a EO Company
2:15 PM–3:15 PM Concurrent Session 2 How Can Research on ESOPs Be Useful for You?
3:30 PM–4:30 PM Concurrent Session 3
Enhancing Your ESOP Culture and Driving Performance Through Education
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
9:10 AM–10:40 AM Concurrent Session 4
Your First 5 Years as an ESOP Manager
1:45 PM–3:00 PM Concurrent Session 6
A Case Study of a Successful ESOP: Midwest Mole, Inc.
3:15 PM–4:15 PM Concurrent Session 6
Financial Modeling for New and Mature ESOPS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
9:00 AM–10:30 AM Concurrent Session 9
Succession for Key Roles: A Workshop
MATURE ESOPS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
1:00 PM–2:15 PM Concurrent Session 1
Capital Stack: Optimize Structure and Accelerate Growth
3:30 PM–4:30 PM Concurrent Session 3
Long-Term Benefits: Repurchase Obligation and Rewarding Employees
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
9:10 AM–10:40 AM Concurrent Session 4
1:45 PM–3:00 PM Concurrent Session 6
Fasten Your Seatbelts: Navigating the Bumpy Ride of the Second Transition The Myth of Unaffordable Repurchase Obligations
3:15 PM–4:15 PM Concurrent Session 7
4:30 PM–5:15 PM Concurrent Session 8
Updates from the Ivory Tower: Practical Applications of Academic Research on Employee Ownership Pitfalls When Financing Growth in ESOP-Owned Companies
MATURE ESOPS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
10:45 AM–11:45 AM
12:50 PM–1:50 PM
THINKING & ACTING LIKE OWNERS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
2:15 PM–3:15 PM Concurrent Session 2 Basics to Financials
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
9:10 AM–10:40 AM Concurrent Session 4
Helping Employees Think & Act Like Owners
4:30 PM–5:15 PM Concurrent Session 8
Stewardship Governance and Culture: Unlocking the Value of Employee Ownership
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
10:45 AM–11:45 AM Concurrent Session 10 Practices and Policies for Highly Participatory ESOPs
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
9:00 AM–11:30 AM | Preforum Workshop
Get in the Game: Creating a High-Involvement Ownership Culture
10:00 AM–11:00 AM | 1-Day Workshop
Tandem Pathways- Direct Employee Ownership
1:00 PM–2:15 PM | Concurrent Session 1
Capital Stack: Optimize Structure and Accelerate Growth
Start Somewhere: Leadership Development in a EO Company
Foundations of a Successful ESOP-Owned Company
2:15–3:15 PM | Concurrent Session 2
Acquisition Strategies for ESOP Companies
Bringing Well-Being into the Workplace
How Can Research on ESOPs Be Useful for You?
3:30–4:30 PM | Concurrent Session 3
Enhancing Your ESOP Culture and Driving Performance Through Education
How to Structure Your Company Now for Consistent Growth in the Future
Long-Term Benefits: Repurchase Obligation and Rewarding Employees
Thriving Together: Cultivating Resilient Teams in Challenging Times
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
9:10 AM–10:40 AM | Concurrent Session 4
Valuation Considerations in Acquisitions
Case Study: A Valuation Report Review
The Myth of Unaffordable Repurchase Obligations
Helping Employees Think & Act Like Owners
Case Study: A Valuation Report Review
Valuation Considerations in Acquisitions
Your First 5 Years as an ESOP Manager
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6
Develop and Utilize Guiding Principles to Empower Employee-Owners to Make Decisions That Support the Company's Goals and Visions
The Ins and Outs of Successful Acquisitions
Fasten Your Seatbelts: Navigating the Bumpy Ride of the Second Transition
StoryBrand for Employee Ownership: Create Compelling Messages for Your Team, Customers, and Community
3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7
Acquisition Capital for ESOP Companies
Financial Modeling for New and Mature ESOPS
ESOP Issues in the Board Room: Presented by the Private Directors Association
Pitfalls When Financing Growth in ESOP-Owned Companies
Fostering Inclusive Workplaces: Leveraging Evidence-Based Research to Overcome
Unconscious Bias in Team Leadership
4:30 PM–5:15 PM | Concurrent Session 8
Captive Health Insurance ESOPs: Owning The Benefits of Collaboration
Updates from the Ivory Tower: Practical Applications of Academic Research on Employee Ownership
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
9:00 AM–10:30 AM | Concurrent Session 9
Culture, the Forgotten Component of Successful Acquisitions
Succession for Key Roles: A Workshop
The Heart of the Company: Leveraging Employee Ownership Throughout the Employee Life Cycle
CEO
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
10:45 AM–11:45 AM | Concurrent Session 10
Balancing Act: Meeting Repurchase Obligations When Cash Flow Falls Short Driving a Culture of Learning Getting to the Checkered Flag: Having the Right Professional Team for a Successful ESOP to Win the Race Practices and Policies for Highly Participatory ESOPs
Unsolicited Offers and M&A–ESOP Challenges
12:50 PM–1:50 PM | Concurrent Session 11
Win–Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive Bottom-Line Success
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER
2:15 PM–3:15 PM | Concurrent Session 2 Bringing Well-Being into the Workplace
3:30 PM–4:30 PM | Concurrent Session 3
Long-Term Benefits: Repurchase Obligatio
Rewarding Employees
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6
A Case Study of a Successful ESOP: Midwest Mole, Inc. The Ins and Outs of Successful Acquisitions
3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7
Acquisition Capital for ESOP Companies
Financial Modeling for New and Mature ESOPS
4:30 PM–5:15 PM | Concurrent Session 8
Updates from the Ivory Tower: Practical Applications of Academic Research on Employee Ownership
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
9:00 AM–10:30 AM | Concurrent Session 9
Culture, the Forgotten Component of Successful Acquisitions
Succession for Key Roles: A Workshop
10:45 AM–11:45 AM | Concurrent Session 10
Balancing Act: Meeting Repurchase Obligations When Cash Flow Falls Short
Getting to the Checkered Flag: Having the Right Professional Team for a Successful ESOP to Win the Race
Minimizing Board Liability Through the Life of an ESOP
Unsolicited Offers and M&A–ESOP Challenges
THE
DESTINATION
FOR EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP
GreatBanc Trust Company is a full-service trust company and independent ERISA fiduciary specializing in Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs).
We are the longest-standing and largest ESOP trustee in the United States
BOARD MEMBER
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
3:30 PM–4:30 PM | Concurrent Session 3
How to Structure Your Company Now for Consistent Growth in the Future
Long-Term Benefits: Repurchase Obligation and Rewarding Employees
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
9:10 PM–10:40 AM | Concurrent Session 4
Valuation Considerations in Acquistions
Your First 5 Years as an ESOP Manager
1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6
A Case Study of a Successful ESOP: Midwest Mole, Inc
Fasten Your Seatbelts: Navigating the Bumpy Ride of the Second Transition
The Ins and Outs of Successful Acquisitions
3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7
Acquisition Capital for ESOP Companies
Communicating Value Drivers for a Successful ESOP Culture
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
12:50 PM–1:50 PM | Concurrent Session 11
Preserving Institutional ESOP Knowledge & Strategy for Times of Transition Win–Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive Bottom-Line Success
ESOP Issues in the Board Room: Presented by the Private Directors Association Financial Modeling for New and Mature ESOPS
4:30 PM–5:15 PM | Concurrent Session 8 Updates from the Ivory Tower: Practical Applications of Academic Research on Employee Ownership
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
9:00 AM–10:30 AM | Concurrent Session 9
Succession for Key Roles: A Workshop
10:45 AM–11:45 AM | Concurrent Session 10
Balancing Act: Meeting Repurchase Obligations When Cash Flow Falls Short Driving a Culture of Learning
Getting to the Checkered Flag: Having the Right Professional Team for a Successful ESOP to Win the Race
Minimizing Board Liability Through the Life of an ESOP Practices and Policies for Highly Participatory ESOPs Unsolicited Offers and M&A - ESOP Challenges
HR/BENEFITS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
1:00 PM–2:15 PM | Concurrent Session 1
Leveraging AI for Ethical and Effective Employee Ownership Communications
Start Somewhere: Leadership Development in a EO Company
2:15 PM–3:15 PM | Concurrent Session 2
Bringing Well-Being into the Workplace
3:30–4:30 PM | Concurrent Session 3
Thriving Together: Cultivating Resilient Teams in Challenging Times
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
9:10 AM–10:40 AM | Concurrent Session 4
Creating an Employee Ownership Culture with a Hybrid/Remote Workforce
Your First 5 Years as an ESOP Manager
1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6
A Case Study of a Successful ESOP: Midwest Mole, Inc
3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7
Communicating Value Drivers for a Successful ESOP Culture
4:30 PM–5:15 PM | Concurrent Session 8
Captive Health Insurance ESOPs: Owning The Benefits of Collaboration
The Stay Interview as a Retention Tool
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
9:00 AM–10:30 AM | Concurrent Session 9
Culture, the Forgotten Component of Successful Acquisitions
Self-Funding Incentives That Transform Your Ownership Culture
Succession for Key Roles: A Workshop
The Heart of the Company: Leveraging Employee Ownership Throughout the Employee Lifecycle
10:45 AM–11:45 AM | Concurrent Session 10
Driving a Culture of Learning
12:50 PM–1:50 PM | Concurrent Session 11
Preserving Institutional ESOP Knowledge & Strategy for Times of Transition
Win–Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive Bottom-Line Success
TRUSTEE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
1:00 PM–2:15 PM | Concurrent Session 1 Foundations of a Successful ESOP-Owned Company
3:30 PM–4:30 PM | Concurrent Session 3 How to Structure Your Company Now for Consistent Growth in the Future
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER
9:10 AM–10:40 AM | Concurrent Session 4
Case Study: A Valuation Report Review Your First 5 Years as an ESOP Manager
3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7
Communicating Value Drivers for a Succe Culture
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
10:45 AM–11:45 AM | Concurrent Session Minimizing Board Liability Through the L ESOP
NEW MANAGER
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
2:15 PM–3:15 PM | Concurrent Session 2
Basics to Financials
Bringing Well-Being into the Workplace
3:30 PM–4:30 PM | Concurrent Session 3
How to Structure Your Company Now for Consistent Growth in the Future
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
9:10 AM–10:40 AM | Concurrent Session 4
Helping Employees Think & Act Like Owners
Your First 5 Years as an ESOP Manager
3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7
Communicating Value Drivers for a Successful ESOP Culture
Fostering Inclusive Workplaces: Leveraging Evidence-Based Research to Overcome
Unconscious Bias in Team Leadership
4:30 PM–5:15 PM | Concurrent Session 8
Stewardship Governance and Culture: Unlocking the Value of Employee Ownership
The Stay Interview as a Retention Tool
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
9:00 AM–10:30 AM | Concurrent Session 9
Culture, the Forgotten Component of Successfu Acquisitions
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
9:00 AM–11:30 AM | PreForum Workshops
Get in the Game: Creating a High-Involvement Ownership Culture
10:00 AM–11:00 AM | 1 Day Workshop
Tandem Pathways- Direct Employee Ownership
1:00 PM–2:15 PM | Concurrent Session 1
Leveraging AI for Ethical and Effective Employee Ownership Communications
Start Somewhere: Leadership Development in a EO Company
2:15 PM–3:15 PM | Concurrent Session 2
Leveraging AI for Ethical and Effective Employee Ownership Communications
Start Somewhere: Leadership Development in a EO Company
3:30 PM–4:30 PM | Concurrent Session 3
Enhancing Your ESOP Culture and Driving Performance Through Education
How to Structure Your Company Now for Consistent Growth in the Future
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
9:10 AM–10:40 AM | Concurrent Session 4
Creating an Employee Ownership Culture with a Hybrid/Remote Workforce
Helping Employees Think & Act Like Owners Your First 5 Years as an ESOP Manager
1:15 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6
StoryBrand for Employee Ownership: Create compelling messages for your team, customers and community
3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7
Communicating Value Drivers for a Successful ESOP Culture
Fostering Inclusive Workplaces: Leveraging
Evidence-Based Research to Overcome
Unconscious Bias in Team Leadership
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
4:30 PM–5:15 PM | Concurrent Session 8
Stewardship Governance and Culture: Unlocking the Value of Employee Ownership
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
9:00 AM–10:30 AM | Concurrent Session 9
Culture, the Forgotten Component of Successful Acquisitions
Self-Funding Incentives That Transform Your Ownership Culture
The Heart of the Company: Leveraging Employee Ownership Throughout the Employee Lifecycle
10:45 AM–11:45 AM | Concurrent Session 10
Driving a Culture of Learning
NCEO RESOUCRES
Recruitment & Retention Toolkit
Employee ownership lowers voluntary turnover rates and, anecdotally, many employee-owned companies believe they have more applicants than average per position The goal of this toolkit is to help NCEO member companies improve their ability to both recruit and retain employee-owners, from onboarding to long-tenure employees.
Acquisition Strategies for ESOP Companies
Acquisitions can open new markets, create more efficient operations, or provide a more diversified customer base, but most acquisitions do not live up to expectations. This book provides a general framework to evaluate acquisitions, specific ways to limit their risk, alternative transaction structures of special use for ESOP companies, and some best practices in making acquisitions, especially when one ESOP company acquires another.
The Download is solutions-focused, member-exclusive content provided on a monthly basis These resources have been designed for use by the employee-owners at your company and can be passed on as-is or with minimal adaptation to include the specifics of your plan
Board
Improve the effectiveness of your board of directors by successfully recruiting and onboarding independent directors This toolkit provides insight and resources on how to do this, as well as a directory of board candidates.
