As we prepare the business for an exit using the Step by Step Exit model, we are struggling to manage our outside exit advisory team of investment bankers, accountants, and lawyers. How do we use the Level 10 Meeting™ structure to run an Advisor Meeting Pulse that keeps these external professionals aligned and moving at our pace?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

When preparing for an exit using the Step by Step Exit model, your internal leadership team is only half of the equation. You also have to manage an external team of advisors, including investment bankers, lawyers, and accountants. If left to their own devices, these professionals will work on their own timelines, resulting in missed deadlines and ballooning fees.

To maintain control, you must establish an Advisor Meeting Pulse using the Level 10 Meeting™ structure. This is a separate, weekly or bi-weekly meeting where you bring your key advisors into a single room or call.

Start with a scorecard that tracks critical exit-readiness metrics, such as document collection rates, draft agreement revisions, and due diligence preparation progress. Review their priorities, which function just like quarterly Rocks, to ensure everyone is clear on their weekly and monthly commitments.

Then, move to the Issues List to IDS® the bottlenecks that are holding up the transaction. This format prevents advisors from working in silos and pointing fingers at one another. It forces your legal team to speak directly to your financial team in front of you, resolving conflicts in real time.

By running this structured cadence, you keep your advisors accountable, reduce billable hours, and ensure your business is fully prepared for a clean, high-value transfer.