(NewsUSA) - Muscle health is just as important as bone health over the lifespan. When a decrease in muscle mass leads to a reduced quality of life and an inability to perform everyday tasks, it could be sarcopenia—the loss of muscle and strength that can happen when someone gets older and does less physical activity. Sarcopenia is particularly concerning among women because the peak muscle mass and strength they achieve in their mid-thirties tend to be lower than for men. This means that when women start losing muscle, they feel the effects sooner than men.

Sarcopenia generally becomes noticeable beginning at age 40. Common symptoms of sarcopenia include weaker muscles, reduced walking speeds, increased difficulty with day-to-day tasks, and falls. Sarcopenia risk is affected by age-related factors, like hormone changes that affect muscle mass and the body’s reduced ability to absorb protein, and behavioral factors, like physical activity levels or lack thereof.

Muscle-strengthening activity can help older adults decrease their risk of developing sarcopenia and maintain a high quality of life. When individuals strengthen their muscles and rebuild muscle mass, they may improve their balance and reduce their chances of falls and fractures. In addition, they are better able to perform daily activities like carrying groceries, standing up from a chair, or playing with their grandchildren.

“Staying active not only helps decrease your risk of getting sarcopenia, but it also can improve your quality of life, mental health, and independence,” advises Dr. Dorothy Fink, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women’s Health.

Adults and older adults should engage in muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week. These exercises should include all the major muscle groups: upper body (abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms) and lower body (legs, hips, and back). The goal is to move and contract the muscles, rebuilding muscle and strength over time with adequate nutrition and physical activity.

Starting and maintaining a physical activity routine does not require special equipment or a gym membership. Individuals can start at home with simple activities like arm curls, holding soup cans that serve as weights, crunches, bent knee raises, and lunges.

When starting a new physical activity routine, it is recommended that individuals take it slow and build up their number of sets or gradually increase the number of days they get active. Enlisting a partner or friend may be beneficial to stay motivated to exercise. Partnering with someone provides accountability and encouragement for both people, which may inspire them to continue being physically active week after week.

The beneficial effects of exercise in addressing sarcopenia are best when coupled with a healthy diet that includes enough protein, which helps build and maintain muscle mass.

If you have questions about sarcopenia or want to change your exercise routine or diet, consider consulting a health care provider to discuss your goals, ask questions, and seek personalized advice.

For more information on exercising and other ways to help reduce the risk of sarcopenia, visit the Stronger than Sarcopenia campaign webpage, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health: www.womenshealth.gov/sarcopenia.

(NewsUSA) - The United States has fallen behind in applying artificial intelligence to the industrial sector, and changes are needed to maintain America’s national competitiveness, according to a report from the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI).

The report identifies several technologies that are key to advanced manufacturing competitiveness:

Industrial AI.  Although American startups and Fortune 500 companies are building or already using industrial AI, the U.S. lacks the large-scale national programs to promote data sharing and training of industrial AI models in public and private sectors.

Robotics. Startups and academic institutions in the U.S. lead the world in robotics innovation, with goals of deploying humanoid robots at scale within the next decade, but China currently leads the world in the deployment of industrial robotics.

Industrial Internet of Things. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms may ultimately allow manufacturers to create whole-factory “operating systems.” While U.S. firms offer scalable IIoT platforms that China has struggled to match, Chinese firms have found their niche in the underlying hardware for these platforms.

Advanced Networks. The spread of public 5G networks continues worldwide. The U.S. and allies continue to take steps to mitigate safety concerns posed by Chinese networking components. However, China is prioritizing 5G networks as a way to increase leadership in the geopolitical tech competition.

In the report, the SCSP offers seven steps for leaders to increase and improve the U.S. leadership in advanced manufacturing:

Launch: National moonshots can strengthen the industrial system-of-systems and pilot programs can help strengthen the U.S. industrial base as a whole.

Organize. Policy coordination is needed to support core manufacturing technology innovation programs. SCSP calls for the creation of a White House-level office to enhance policy coordination, and strengthening federal manufacturing programs to bring urgency to the advanced manufacturing agenda.

Innovate. A revitalized approach to research and development funding would promote necessary innovation, according to SCSP. For example, a public-private “focused research organization,” modeled on Bell Labs could accelerate manufacturing technology innovation.

Promote. Innovative programs and financing are needed to promote adoption of advanced manufacturing paradigms, with strategies such as consolidating and leveraging tax policies and credit for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

Pushback. The U.S. should build trade alliances with trusted allies and partners to create new markets for U.S. manufacturers, while strengthening economic ties and resisting against the PRC’s anticompetitive practices.

Defend. Defending the U.S. industrial base against AI-enabled cyberattacks requires a new approach to industrial cyberdefense as digitalization expands the attack surface.

Cultivate. More training is needed to address talent shortages and skills gaps. The creation of a one-stop resource would help organizations match talent to job opportunities in advanced manufacturing.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more and to read the full National Action Plan for U.S. Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing. 

(NewsUSA) - BookTrib.com, a leading source of book news, reviews and information for more than 20 years, is launching the second edition of BOOKTRIB’S LIT PICKS, an ebook showcasing excerpts from the first chapters of some of the hottest books -- past, present and future -- that readers can discover this Spring and Summer. 

Studies indicate that when people read an excerpt from a book, the probability of them buying and reading that book increases dramatically. In creating BOOKTRIB’S LIT PICKS, BookTrib, a unit of longtime leading literary marketing and promotion firm Meryl Moss Media Group, has compiled a collection of first-chapter excerpts from genres including contemporary and historical fiction, thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, self-help, memoirs and much more. The ebook includes offerings from major publishers like Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins to midlist titles and self-published works from celebrated emerging authors.  

The books represent: #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, #1 Sunday Times Bestseller, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Booklist Starred Review, Kirkus Starred Review, Library Journal Starred Review, USA Today Bestselling Author, Silver Falchion Award Winner, Bram Stoker Award Winner, Edgar Award Nominated Author, and Goodreads Choice Award Nominated Author.  

The latest version of the ebook includes offerings from well-known authors such as Rhys Bowen, Dean Koontz, Tessa Bailey, Mark Greaney, James Comey, Mike Bond, Laura Hankin, Gill Paul, Terry Hayes and more. 

The first edition of LIT PICKS, launched last holiday season, generated thousands of downloads and heaps of praise. 

One NetGalley reviewer, Amanda Waggoner, said, “I am always thrilled to see these samplers posted. It's a fantastic way to be introduced to new authors or the latest works from familiar authors. There are so many books on offer that it's great to get a sample to narrow down my list. I particularly appreciate that this sampler covers so many genres.” 

“Wow! All I can say is wow," said Naomi Jones on NetGalley. “If you have been looking for a new read, you'll find it here. I love this concept and was astonished at how lengthy this is.” 

“This is a great idea,” said NetGalley reviewer Carol Holland. “I picked this up and didn’t know what to expect but quickly saw that there were four or five books from each genre listed in the contents, and it gave a description of what the book was about a quick preview, a little bit about the author and the first chapter. I think this type of item should happen pretty regularly, like every month with new and old books. Now I know book catalogs from publishers, etc. have this info but it’s interesting to just have a handful in each genre from all publishers in one quick easy reference guide.” 

In a nutshell, BOOKTRIB’S LIT PICKS provides readers of all tastes and preferences and hungry to discover their next read with excerpts from a wide range of books sure to enhance their Spring/Summer reading list. 

BOOKTRIB’S LIT PICKS is available on Amazon and other popular retail outlets where ebooks are sold. To learn more, visit https://booktrib.com/litpicks. 

ABOUT BOOKTRIB 

BookTrib.com was created as a news source for people who love books, want to find out what’s happening in the book world and love learning about great authors of whom they may not have heard. BookTrib.com has more than 90,000 unique monthly website visitors and more than 212,000 social media followers.

(NewsUSA) - When faced with a life-threatening heart condition, the right medical device and treatment plan can mean the difference between life and death. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Despite this, only 44% of American women recognize that heart disease is their number one killer, and research shows they continue to be undertreated compared to men.

Choosing Aurora EV-ICD: A Life-Saving Treatment

At just 27 years old, Annie Gates, a mother of three from Miller, South Dakota, found herself struggling with shortness of breath, exhaustion, and the inability to keep up – all symptoms she associated with trying to keep up with her young family. Her journey to receiving care for an underlying heart condition began with subtle but concerning symptoms that quickly escalated into severe episodes of rapid heartbeats, sometimes reaching 250-260 beats per minute – more than triple that of a normal heartbeat.

A particularly severe episode, lasting five minutes, was a critical turning point for Annie. With the nearest medical care more than two hours away, she struggled to remain conscious. As she watched the heart rate numbers on her smartwatch climb, she began to lose her vision and had a sinking feeling this was different. Her husband quickly realized the severity of her condition. In those terrifying moments, Annie recalls feeling like she might die.

Previous medical evaluations were inconclusive, but a pharmacist’s advice led her to seek a second opinion, a decision that likely saved her life. Annie was subsequently diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a rare genetic condition that causes irregular heartbeats. This diagnosis not only explained her symptoms but also shed light on a family history of unexplained cardiac incidents.

Now that she had a diagnosis, she could look ahead to what her options were to ensure these near-death episodes wouldn’t happen again.

Living with Confidence and Hope

Luckily, Annie’s diagnosis was met with a new cutting-edge solution – the Aurora EV-ICD™ (Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator). ICDs are highly effective in providing life-saving therapy for patients at risk of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). An ICD continuously checks the heartbeat and delivers painless pacing pulses or high-energy shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm. This device offered not just a safeguard against VT, or rapid heartbeat, but a return to her previous quality of life. After her doctor explained the advantages of the EV-ICD compared to traditional ICDs, Annie knew it was the device she wanted given her age and that she would need the protection of ICDs for the rest of her life. The Aurora EV-ICD is implanted in a discreet location below her left armpit that Annie barely notices, fitting comfortably under her sports bra without irritation, and without any wires touching her heart – important factors for Annie. Today, the Aurora EV-ICD gives her – and her family – a sense of normalcy and peace of mind.

With the Aurora EV-ICD “standing watch,” Annie lives with renewed confidence and fewer fears. She continues to engage in daily activities like horse riding and rodeo, running her family’s ranch, and enjoying a revitalized lease on life with enough energy to play with her kids. The Aurora EV-ICD continuously monitors her condition and transmits data to her doctors, ensuring she remains under vigilant care. Her story is a powerful testament to survival, self-advocacy, and the impact of cutting-edge medical technology.

A Message of Persistence and Innovation

Annie’s experience underscores the critical importance of persistence in seeking answers to health questions and challenges, and the transformative impact of medical technology. In sharing her story, she hopes it helps others get the medical answers for whatever they’re experiencing. Her journey with the Aurora EV-ICD offers hope and inspiration, highlighting the courage required to advocate for oneself in the healthcare journey and the life-saving potential of innovative medical solutions.

Learn more at www.medtronic.com/EVICD.

Image caption: Trey and Annie Gates

(NewsUSA) - Meet Me at the Starlight by Rachel Hauck

A heartfelt tale of romance, perseverance, and the enduring power of community by the New York Times bestselling author.

Eighties supermodel Harlow Hayes seeks solace in a quaint Florida beach town to heal from a heartbreak that shattered her world. To her surprise, she encounters Matt Knight--a Hollywood A-lister with a bad-boy reputation--who has returned to help his plucky grandmother, Tuesday, save her century-old skating rink, the Starlight.

The Starlight once acted as a refuge for Depression-era families and brought the town together with celebrations. Tuesday always protected her beloved rink from her husband's shady business dealings. Yet when it is threatened with demolition, Tuesday may not be able to stop it.

As Matt and Harlow plot with Tuesday to save the Starlight, they find themselves on a journey of surprises, self-discovery, and the kind of healing that leads to love. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3P21qt5.

The War You’ve Always Wanted by Mike McLaughlin

Pat Dolan’s father has a box. In it are treasures from Jimmy Dolan’s service in World War II—his photos, his medals, his memories. But ten-year-old Pat can’t understand why his father refuses to look in the box. After all, the war was a grand adventure, wasn’t it?

Determined to serve in the Army like his father, Pat enlists nine years later—but it’s 1972, and the American military is withdrawing from Vietnam after seven years of futile combat. As an Army combat correspondent surrounded by people growing more desperate by the day, young Dolan quickly learns how bleak the South’s prospects are. He is forced to witness the slow, steady death of a nation.

When Pat is wounded in action, he wonders if he will live long enough to fill a box of his own. Are there any treasures to be found in a country as fragile as this? Purchase at https://bit.ly/4beMJMp.

BEING: A Brief History of the Universe by Masoud Mostafavi

This manuscript is a beginner/intermediate-level science book discussing a brief history of the universe and how we came to exist. The most recent scientific theories in cosmology and related physics and life sciences concepts are aimed to inform and educate the science-leaning public, especially college students. Subject matters include various origin and creation stories, the nature of reality, and ancient ideas in astronomy and modern cosmological theories, including the Big Bang.

The book contains chapters discussing historical milestones and topics of physics to help readers better comprehend modern complex cosmological concepts. The birth and death of stars, the Solar System, and the formation and development of the Earth during eons are covered in modest detail. Theories related to the emergence of life on Earth and the evolution of living organisms are described. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3wxWFSg.

The Last Harmonic: A Tale of Bella & Oscar by Dustin Cook

In the heart of an ancient castle, a curious cat named Bella stumbles upon a hidden world of mystical mice. Granted the gift of speech and bipedal movement, Bella joins forces with the brave mouse Oscar and a wise mouse wizard. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to confront a dark sorcerer threatening their kingdom. Along the way, they navigate treacherous traps, decipher ancient prophecies, and forge unbreakable bonds of friendship.

With courage and determination, they face their ultimate challenge in the sorcerer's lair, fighting to restore magic and harmony to their land. The Last Harmonic: A Tale of Bella & Oscar is a story of bravery, teamwork, and the power of light over darkness, captivating young readers with its enchanting adventure and timeless lessons and also appealing to adult readers. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3KN13jS.

(NewsUSA) - Sharing a meal -- with family members that include relatives but also those you choose to call family -- not only promotes healthy eating, but healthier minds as well, new data show.

More than half of Americans believe that family meals make them feel more connected, according to the FMI Foundation, a nonprofit organization and creator and steward of the Family Meals Movement.

In a recent survey from the FMI Foundation, one-third of Americans said family meals make them feel calm, and approximately four in 10 said family meals are relaxing and fun, and improved their quality of life.

“These new data underscore the hundreds of studies the FMI Foundation has curated to substantiate further the expansive physical and mental health benefits of family meals,” said David Fikes, executive director of the FMI Foundation. “Sharing meals is clearly one of our best proactive practices to build a healthier nation,” he said.

Anxiety and other mental health issues have surged among youth in recent years, and FMI Foundation data support the value of family meals for giving children, teens, and young adults a way to connect and boost their feelings of well-being. Multiple published studies demonstrate that family meals are associated with reduced symptoms of depression, fewer incidents of violent behavior, and reduced thoughts of suicide in youth, as well as a reduction in patterns of disordered eating. Additional studies support the link between increased family meals and more prosocial behavior and feelings of life satisfaction among adolescents.

Family meals are good for adults, too. Data from the FMI Foundation show higher levels of self-esteem and family function, as well as lower levels of stress and depression among adults who share more meals with family members.

“Family meals are a proven way to strengthen the emotional well-being of children and adults and bolster the bonds they share.” Fikes emphasized. “With youth depression and anxiety at an all-time high, there has never been a better time to take simple steps, like family meals, to build healthier hearts, minds, and bodies.”

Joining the Family Meals Movement is one way to take advantage of the many benefits family meals offer. If you’re looking for ways to have just one more family meal each week, visit your local supermarket for meal ideas, recipes, cooking and preparation suggestions and products that help make family meals easily achievable. Many grocery stores offer in-store retail dietitians who can offer customized nutrition and meal-planning tools to fit your budget and needs. And don’t forget to take part in National Family Meals Month™, celebrated in September as part of the Family Meals Movement.

Learn more about the Family Meals Movement at www.FamilyMealsMovement.org and Family Meals Month at https://www.fmi.org/family-meals

(NewsUSA) - Solid wood has always been the gold standard when it comes to high-quality home furniture. “Whether it’s something major like a dining table and chairs or a smaller item like a nightstand, making it with Real American Hardwood^® will ensure that it’s not only strong and durable but also unique and characterful,” says Ian Faight of the American Hardwood Information Center. “No matter what style of furniture you favor, from the warmly traditional to the sleekly modern, there’s a wood—classics like oak, maple, walnut, and cherry or less familiar ones such as cypress and hickory—that will enhance its looks and increase its longevity.” Here are six stylish pieces for today that could well become tomorrow’s treasured heirlooms.

Natural cherry lends a gorgeous, honeyed tone to this dining room set by Copeland Furniture (copelandfurniture.com) in Vermont. The Catalina trestle table softens the crisp, clean lines of Mid-Century Modern design with the more flowing, organic forms of earlier styles like Art Nouveau, while the handsome Ingrid chairs are a contemporary take on the simplicity and elegance of 19th-century Biedermeier furniture. Photograph courtesy of Copeland Furniture

Handmade with sustainably harvested Appalachian hardwood by Gat Creek (gatcreek.com), a manufacturer in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, the Sunbury bed has a gently canted headboard with vestigial side wings that create a sense of cozy embrace. Shown here in dark-stained ash, the timeless design tempers modern Danish aesthetics with American Shaker plainness. Photograph courtesy of Gat Creek

With roots dating back to 1900, the renowned Stickley (stickley.com) furniture company in Manlius, New York, continues to produce iconic pieces like the Prairie settle, a comfortably upholstered sofa that’s part of its historic Mission collection. Crafted here in natural-finish white oak—it’s also available in cherry—the Arts & Crafts-inspired seating fits seamlessly into a bright and airy modern setting. Photograph courtesy of Stickley

Custom built in North Carolina by Mantle Furniture (mantlefurniture.com), the Tavern round coffee table features solid red oak construction and a hand-rubbed matte finish that emphasizes the wood’s distinctive grain. As practical as it is attractive, the piece incorporates a useful storage shelf and has no sharp corners to bump your shins on. Photograph courtesy of Mantle Furniture

Minneapolis-based furniture retailer Room & Board (roomandboard.com) turns to Built by Newport, a Vermont artisanal workshop, to make the Ericson lounge chair. The solid-wood frame, which boasts precision dowel joinery and elegantly contoured arms, is available in white oak, shown here, as well as walnut and cherry, meaning there’s a version that will fit your style of home décor. Photograph courtesy of Room & Board

Characterized by elegantly restrained detailing, well-balanced proportions, and an eye-catching golden aura, the Clio credenza is handmade by Doorman Designs (doormandesigns.com), a New Orleans-based furniture brand. The flexible piece, which serves equally well as a dining room sideboard or a media console, showcases rift-sawn white oak planks to stunning effect. Photographer Jacqueline Marque

Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about using American hardwoods in your home.

(NewsUSA) - As new technology continues to reshape the global landscape, the United States must prepare, invest, and organize for the arrival of increasingly powerful artificial intelligence (AI), according to a new report from the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP).

The report, “Vision for Competitiveness: Mid-Decade Opportunities for Strategic Victory,” was written by the experts at SCSP, a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI and other emerging technologies.

The authors argue that six different technologies will determine national power. Those technologies are: artificial general intelligence (AGI), biotechnology, advanced computing and microelectronics, next-generation energy, advanced networks, and advanced manufacturing. The authors emphasize the need for the United States to master the power of innovation and to catch up to other countries in critical areas including advanced networks, batteries, hypersonics, and drones, while also maintaining its leadership in AI. 

The SCSP report outlined three pillars for improving competitiveness in AI and other emerging technology:

Pillar 1: Reimagine the Endless Frontier. New efforts are needed to push boundaries and explore the frontiers of AI and emerging technologies through the creation and support of national programs for public/private partnerships to modernize institutions.

Pillar 2: Restore peace and security through AI and emerging technologies. AI and emerging technologies can play an important role in strengthening the military and updating intelligence capabilities to reflect the modern era. In addition, America must fortify alliances, build new partnerships, and create international forums to address the issues and challenges raised by AI and other technology.

Pillar 3: Catalyze enduring economic advantage in the AI era. Strong economic performance remains the backbone of American power and global influence, and the report emphasizes the opportunities for the use of AI to grow the economy, and improve society. Incorporating the latest advances in strategic technology into the economy has the potential to increase prosperity for all Americans.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more and to download the full report.

(NewsUSA) - Daft Mejora’s Infinite Madness by Karl Dehmelt

America, 2021: an alien known as the Daft One washes ashore in Florida, arriving on a particular planet undergoing strange times. The only knowledge the Daft One has of earth comes from the Internet, where daily life and technology mix in startling, violent ways. However, rather than finding existence “on the ground” to be more serene and logical, the Daft One befriends the son of a Q-Anon supporting State Representative and finds himself in a country torn along political lines amidst conflicting realities.

 When the Daft One saves the State Representative from a shooter, his launch to American stardom through his quick trigger finger and acerbic tongue catapults him and his friends through a world where the Internet and daily life merge, resulting in a terrifyingly real odyssey based in satire, celebrity, and connection, with consequences both shockingly absurd and stunningly human. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and wherever books are sold. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4bT9yVS.

Crash Course by Ricardo Jimenez

Nine times out of ten, the passionate, well-educated, semi-cocky entrepreneur with dreams of taking the market by storm . . . fails. But don’t we have as much or more to learn from entrepreneurs who have failed as we do the lucky few who actually make it?

Entrepreneur Ricardo Jimenez crawls out from under the wreckage of his failed startup and explores how his best-laid plans went so terribly wrong. With surgical precision, Jiménez studies every decision, meeting, step, and misstep that turned his international toy company into an expensive lesson in how not to succeed.

Jiménez puts his whole story on display—the good, the bad, and the terrible—with the hope that the next generation of startup entrepreneurs can learn from his mistakes and take a pain-free shortcut to the important lessons he had to learn the hard way. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3wJEw3y.

The Golden Warrior by Soraya Rose

In The Golden Warrior, Cassius, a slave and gladiator of much renown, receives a visit from his long-departed father.  After his father's visit, Cassius begins to realize that he has gifts given from the gods that are beyond his skills as a gladiator.

The more that Cassius develops his gifts, the more he begins to undertake a journey of not only self-reflection, but also a journey to see the world and people around him in a new light.  With each step he takes, he learns who he can trust to help him, who seeks to do him harm, and learns what it is that he stands for. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3Ko8Eov.

Kaboomer by David Emerson Frost

Does poor physical fitness, flagging sexual health, fatigue, brain fog, or a life-sapping disease make you feel like you’ve lost it? Embrace proven and practical steps for your anti-aging journey from Master Fitness Trainer, Life Coach, and Rowing Champion David Frost in KABOOMER: Thriving and Striving into Your Nineties.

 Filled with lasting lessons for longevity, this science-driven and sweat-proven manual will coach readers toward a happy, healthy lifestyle. With this guide, readers will discover and establish their:

• Personalized healthy habits for good-to-great stamina, strength, stability, and stretching.
• Live-to-100 diet plan to lose weight, improve gut health and body composition, and boost immunity while fighting inflammation and illness.
• “Motion as medicine” with effective exercises and strength training to diminish pain and limit cognitive decline.
• Enhanced libido and sexual performance for better pleasure without a prescription.
• Restorative sleep and de-stress power practices to cheat death, and much more.

Purchase at https://bit.ly/3xYI4zE.

(NewsUSA) - America’s business owners are facing increasingly complex challenges, not only tracking the nuts and bolts of the daily tasks that come with owning a business, but keeping up with things like technology and managing healthcare costs for employees. However, many business owners have not made plans for the future of their business, based on a survey from financial services firm Edward Jones in partnership with Morning Consult and NEXT360 Partners.

Approximately half of American business owners are currently over the age of 55, and many of them may be considering retirement, but more than a third say they have no succession plan in place, according to the survey, which was conducted in April 2024 and included 400 business owners who responded to online questions and unstructured interviews.

Among business owners with no succession plan, 38% reported their business is not at a point at which succession planning is a priority. Both uncertainty about the future of the business and how to start making a succession plan were the top reasons for not having one (32% for both), according to the survey. 

“For many business owners, short-term priorities associated with running a business might feel more urgent than planning for future succession,” said Katherine Roy, Principal, Retirement Products at Edward Jones, in a press release announcing the survey findings. “However, business owners should consider what will happen once they leave the business, whether by selling, retiring or becoming unable to manage the business due to health or age. A well-conceived succession plan allows the owner to identify what their ideal exit looks like and address tax, business, estate and liquidity considerations that reflect both business goals and family dynamics.”

Business owners said that barriers to making a succession plan are emotional as well as logistical; 26% said they were unable to identify a successor, but 88% believed that their businesses will grow over the next decade.

The survey results showed that four main factors drive the need for a business transition. The first is the legacy of the business and the future of employees and stakeholders. The second consideration is the market, in which the sale or exit of an owner is needed to maintain business operations and part of the proceeds will fund the owner’s retirement. The third factor is a health event or other change in priorities or circumstances for owner and the owner’s family. Lastly, the sale of the business also must align with the owner’s vision and the organization’s commitment to the integrity of the business.

Financial advisors can help business owners build a successful plan to help ensure a smooth transition of the business, but only 37% of those surveyed reported using a financial advisor to help with transition issues and decision-making.

“Even if a business owner already knows the succession plan that they want put in place, a financial advisor can guide them through all of the complexities and challenges owners face when determining and implementing the future of their business,” said Zachary Gildehaus, Business Owner Strategist, Client Needs Research at Edward Jones.

For more information about the survey visit: www.edwardjones.com/NextInLine.