Forbes Publishes Michael Platner’s Article on Why Business Owners Should Cultivate an Investor Mindset

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (February 20, 2025) – Fort Lauderdale Managing Partner Michael G. Platner recently authored an article for Forbes magazine titled, "Why Thinking Like An Investor Is Crucial For Business Owners.” The article describes why adopting an investor mindset is necessary for business owners and discusses strategies for cultivating this mindset.

Mr. Platner opens the article by observing, “It’s essential for business owners to understand the distinct roles of the founder, operator and professional investor mentalities . . . .” He goes on to describe each of these mindsets, explaining that founders tend to focus on “vision and innovation,” while operators focus on “execution and efficiency.” He describes the investor mentality as “the culmination of successful entrepreneurial growth. This mindset is strategic, data-driven and focused on maximizing value.”

Next, Mr. Platner points out the importance of developing an investor mindset, advising, “For business owners aiming for a liquidity event, thinking like an investor is nonnegotiable.” He outlines five components of an investor mindset that promote the success of a business: (1) objectivity in decision making; (2) focus on scalability; (3) preparation for due diligence; (4) exit strategy alignment; and (5) risk mitigation. After elaborating on these points, Mr. Platner discusses how business owners may learn to think like investors. He recommends that owners seek mentorship, build a strong advisory board, focus on financial literacy, embrace strategic planning, and think long-term.

Mr. Platner closes the article by noting that applying an investor mindset “transforms your business into an asset that others see as worth investing in.” He ultimately concludes that “adopting the investor mentality is about ensuring your years of hard work, innovation and dedication culminate in a payoff that reflects the true value of your business.”

Mr. Platner serves as chair of Lewis Brisbois’ national Corporate Practice and co-chair of its Securities & Corporate Finance Practice. He works with clients to develop and execute business savvy legal strategies for businesses from an early stage through maturity, sale, and merger. In addition, he regularly leads “Going Liquid” workshops, which provide actionable advice to business owners who want to position their businesses successfully for growth, value creation, and ultimate liquidity events.

Read the full Forbes article here.