PLAYBOOK

The Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) Playbook

Your guide to a fair exit — backed by real stories, deal terms, and tools to help you plan with confidence.

The Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) Playbook: Your guide to a better succession plan and boosting employee engagement

Get the Playbook

Employee ownership isn’t an alternative exit — it’s a proven one.

Every succession path comes with trade-offs. Some may maximize financial return but risk shifting the company’s mission, jobs, or culture. Others may preserve legacy but limit flexibility.

The Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) offers something different: the ability to transition at fair market value, protect what you’ve built, and share success more broadly with your team.

The 2025 EOT Playbook breaks down how EOTs work — and whether they might be a fit for your business — by bringing together real-world insights from business owners who've made the shift.

Inside, you’ll find:

The EOT guide: Everything business owners need to know

A simple overview of EOTs (what they are, how they work, and who they're right for).

Case studies of EOT businesses

Success stories of real EOT transitions, and lessons learned along the way.

Insights on Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs): Profit-sharing, employee participation, and governance

Field-tested insights on profit-sharing, governance, & more.

EOT FAQs: Frequently asked questions of Employee Ownership Trusts

A concise FAQ with clear, practical answers.

Join the thousands of companies across the U.S. that have already chosen employee ownership.

EOTs in healthcare: CDCNEOTs in auto industry: Clegg AutoEOTs in food manufacturing: Cypress Valley Meats
EOTs in open source software industry: CodeWeaversEOTs in SaaS: Text-Em-AllEOTs in business consultancy & services: The Ready

Whether you're planning ahead, looking to reward your team, or just exploring options, an EOT could be your path to achieve liquidity, boost employee engagement, and solidify your operating structure.

‍‍Book a free advisory call to learn what this could look like for your business. No pressure — just clear answers and practical next steps tailored to you.

Common Trust: Helping Companies Transition to Employee Ownership

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The information on this website is for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice.
Common Trust is not a law firm or a registered investment advisor, and we do not provide legal or tax advice.

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