You’re invited · align.me Referrer’s Lunch
Avoid the Succession Cliff
What makes a business sellable
DATE
Wednesday
21st October 2026
TIME
12:30 to 2:30 PM
AEDT
WHERE
Online
Event
The invitation
Join us for align.me’s upcoming Referrer’s Lunch and take part in the tradition of great food, great people and great conversation.
The align.me team is excited to invite you to another enriching roundtable discussion and lunch – our way of saying thank you for your continued support, referrals and ongoing collaboration.
align.me hosts the Referrer’s Lunch series as a way to thank the people who support our work, refer us to others and collaborate with us. We’d rather show our gratitude over a proper meal and insightful discussion than in an email.
As always, bring your own perspective to the table. The roundtable discussion comes with a carefully curated meal and a paired beverage, delivered straight to your home or office.
DATE
Wednesday 21st October 2026
TIME
12:30 to 2:30 PM
AEDT
WHERE
Online Event
The Zoom link will be provided in the meeting invite
LUNCH
Delivered to you
To your home or office, on the morning of the event
ON THE TABLE
What we’ll
get into
Why most owners sell at a discount
Nearly half of Australia’s business owners plan to exit within the decade. Only 24% have a formal plan. We’ll unpack what a buyer discounts, what they pay a premium for, and why that gap is where the value goes.
The three-year runway most owners never leave themselves
The work that lifts a valuation takes years, not months. By the time an owner is ready to sell, it is too late to start.
What it looks like done right.
An owner who has exited, an M&A advisor, and a broker, on what they would tell a client sitting three years out.
Your hosts
Two practitioners. One question every business needs to answer.
Brett Bonser
Co-Founder & Director · align.me
Over more than 20 years, Brett has trained
thousands of business leaders and personally
led hundreds of growth projects across
Australia, Europe, North America, and Africa.
He has worked with companies at every stage
from early growth through to acquisition and
exit, across tourism, professional services,
infrastructure, and technology businesses.
Brett is a sought-after speaker, educator, and
growth advisor. He brings a direct, practical
style and a proven methodology that
connects marketing discipline to measurable
business value, not just more activity.
Simon Bedard
Managing Director · Exit Advisory Group
Simon is CEO of Exit Advisory Group and National Chair of the Australian Institute of Business Brokers, leading a team of advisors and brokers who help entrepreneurs maximise their business value and exit with confidence.
A former investment advisor at one of Australia’s major banks, he brings more than 20 years across finance, investments, energy, and technology. He holds an MBA with distinction from RMIT, is a licensed Business Broker, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
RSVP to let us know
you’ll be there
Please RSVP by Monday 12th October
Late RSVPs are welcome, but catering won’t be available for those who responds after the cut-off date.