Lock In Top Talent and Maximize Enterprise Value

Your executive team is one of your greatest assets—and one of the biggest drivers of your company’s value. At Exit IQ, we help you design executive compensation strategies and golden handcuff plans that align key leaders with your growth goals and exit strategy.

Whether you're planning to sell, transition, or scale, your business is only as strong as the team behind it. Let’s make sure they stay invested—for the long run.

What Are Golden Handcuffs?

Golden handcuffs are strategic compensation incentives that make it financially rewarding for key executives to stay with your company. They’re designed to retain top performers, especially during crucial transition periods such as a sale, merger, or leadership succession.

Common tools include:

• Deferred compensation plans

• Stock options or phantom equity

• Performance-based bonuses

• Stay bonuses during transitions

• Restricted stock units (RSUs)

Why Executive Compensation Strategy Matters

Without the right incentives in place:

• Top performers may leave at the worst time

• Buyers may hesitate to acquire without a committed team

• Your business valuation can suffer due to key-person risk

• Exit timelines may be delayed or devalued

With a smart plan:
You retain leadership continuity
You align executive performance with enterprise value
You strengthen your negotiating position with buyers
You create a win-win outcome for owners and employees