Imagine that you built a successful company with 40 employees and decided to sell to a major corporation. You will leave, and the acquiring company has indicated that most employees will be laid off. A few employees in specialized technology roles will stay on—at least until the new company fully integrates your app into its existing platform.

The truth is that you sold because they offered a great buyout, and you want to move on to a new business idea. You see yourself as a serial entrepreneur and would rather start a new business than run a mature company. About 10 employees have equity in the business, and they will also get a windfall, but most employees don’t have any equity. In small groups, discuss how you will deliver the news to your employees. What will you give as your reasons for selling, and how will you describe the potential impact on them? Write a few sentences to explain the news.