Traditional M&A valuation methods—primarily EBITDA multiples and backward-looking financial statements—are no longer sufficient for evaluating a company’s true future performance. Instead, Strategic Capacity is a more accurate and actionable driver of business value, defined as a company’s ability to consistently produce predictable profits, scalable growth, and transferable equity value across ownership transitions.

Key Learnings:

1. Strategic Capacity predicts future values better than EBITDA.

Buyers increasingly seek confidence that a business can produce predictable cash flow after a transition. Strategic Capacity provides this by assessing operational quality, scalability, and transferability—factors financial statements alone cannot capture. Strategic Capacity is an “investable asset,” and when it is underdeveloped, it is a hidden liability.

2. The Three Dimensions of Business Growth provide a universal roadmap for value creation.

Business value grows through 24 cross-industry objectives within:

Improving these areas systematically increases both present performance and future valuation multiples.

3. CLARITY transforms value assessment from subjective to data driven.

The CLARITY technology platform operationalizes this framework—quantifying strategic gaps, guiding execution through OKRs, and supporting advisors, lenders, investors, and leadership teams with data-driven insights that enhance enterprise value and deal outcomes. CLARITY uses objective scoring, benchmarking, predictive modeling, and AI-supported planning to identify strategic gaps, forecast value improvements, and streamline diligence. This creates a measurable, repeatable approach to diagnosing and improving enterprise value.

4. The evidence is compelling

Businesses that develop and invest in Strategic Capacity increase their transferable value 2x-3x to potential buyers

Our Speakers:

George Sandmann is the CEO of Growth-Drive and Forbes-featured author of 'The Growth-Driving Advisor: Proven Strategies for Leading Businesses from Stuck to Best-in-Class'. My vision is simple: to help $1 Trillion of private businesses increase Strategic Capacity in the 3 Dimensions of Business Growth. The book helps you access everything I’ve learned in +30 years as an entrepreneur including a decade and a half working with a thousand-plus advisors on thousands and thousands of cases.

Michael DeSiato, CPA, CFP, CEXP, CEPA, CVGA, started his career in public accounting after graduating from Florida International University with a Bachelor's in accounting and a Master's in Taxation.  Mike was elected Managing Director of his firm and led a sale to a national firm. In his 40+ career, he worked with mid-sized businesses advising on tax and financial matters as their most trusted advisor. 

Mike founded Business Transition Specialists, LLC to work with mid-sized business owners and their companies, helping them successfully navigate the most significant financial event of their lives - the successful exit from their business on their terms that are consistent with their personal and financial goals. 

Introductions and Active Business Collaborations:

At the beginning of each meeting, we go around the room and each attendee introduces themselves and what they do.  We ask for examples of collaborations on exit planning and execution with other members.   This is a great way to get to know each other and build collaborative relationships.  

Our Venue:

Exit Advisor Alliance Gold Sponsor Kelley Kronenberg will host this event at their beautiful facility in Fort Lauderdale.  The building is right off the highway with free parking.