There has always been the notion that ESOP companies outperform their industry peers, are more resilient in recessions, lay off fewer people, have more satisfied workers, lower turnover, and on and on. The research is well documented and irrefutable. But why is this the case? Is it the ESOP itself?

It's employee ownership month. But most people have never "met" an ESOP company. There is no better way to appreciate the ESOP phenomenon without encountering one, first hand. Whether you are an advisor, company owner, executive or employee you will enjoy listening to the journey of a company that has been ESOP owned since 1980.

There is more to equity compensation than just giving your employees stock in the company. In this podcast episode, Kevin Long addresses common overbroad assumptions about equity compensation and how an equity readiness survey helps you determine whether an equity compensation plan is right for your business.

In this episode of Speaking of Benefits, Senior Attorney Sheryl Bayani-Alzona talks about three things. The ESOP is a buyer, what happens to the shareholder after the transaction, and how the transaction is funded.

In this podcast, Kevin Long talks about how participatory management in an Employee Stock Ownership Company can strengthen the company for eventual sale to a third party.

Officers, Directors and Business Owners can have personal liability if the company's retirement plans aren't properly managed. Do you know who your plan fiduciaries are? Do you know if you're one of them?

In this podcast, Kevin Long talks about tools you can use to manage your ESOP repurchase obligation and get stock to the so-called ESOP "Have Nots".

One of the most common errors the IRS sees in plan audits is the failure to include certain types of compensation when calculating employee 401(k) deferrals, and when making matching contributions. In this podcast, Marcel Weiland discusses two scenarios of a compensation failure in the area where we see it most often, bonus compensation.

For ESOPs that find themselves in what is known as a "have and have-nots" situation, releveraging is one solution. In this podcast we're going to talk about the advantages and considerations to that solution.

A qualified plan such as a 401(k) may – but isn't required to – allow for loans to plan participants. The loans will be subject to the written plan document requirements and the Internal Revenue Code. In this podcast, Marcel Weiland covers an overview of the Code statute that deals with the loan amount and repayment schedule, and the potential consequences of a compliance failure to the plan sponsor and employee.