FOUR KEY STEPS WHEN SELLING YOUR BUSINESS

1. DETERMINE WHAT YOU WANT FROM THE SALE
It is important to think carefully about why you are selling, what you want from the sale; when you would like it to occur, and your target sale price.
It is critical that you have a written plan in place to fully understand your exit process.
Sanderson Business Service’s Value Builder methodology works through these questions and helps guide you through the important initial steps in selling your life’s work.
2. COMPLETE A PROBABLE SELLING PRICE VALUATION OF YOUR BUSINESS
Many entrepreneurs have an unrealistic idea of how much their business is worth. Essentially, it is probable that you have a different value in mind than potential buyers.
Even if you are selling to family members you require an objective valuation to ease family disputes, plan your estate, and optimize your tax treatment.
Sanderson Business Service’s Value Acceleration and Value Builder methodologies give you an accurate value for your business and a process for increasing that value in a timely manner.
3. FIND A BUYERDecide whom you want to sell the business to company, management, an external buyer, or family members. Also, consider how much, if at all, you want to remain involved in the business after the transaction closes. Do you still want to remain a shareholder, employee, or consultant?
At Sanderson Business Services, the focus is on your preferred choice of exit. Using the Value Acceleration methodology, you determine the best course of action. Sanderson Business Services is there to support your decision and to formulate an actionable plan for a successful exit. This includes marketing the business on a confidential basis.
4. STRUCTURE THE TRANSACTION
Sanderson Business Services helps you negotiate the details of the sale. You will have to consider your valuation, the sales offer, the due diligence process, financing (likely a fact in this economy), tax issues, sale agreement terms, and communication with your employees, customers, and suppliers.
Sanderson Business Services works with your trusted advisors to build a multi-disciplinary team to ensure that the sales transaction goes in accordance with your wishes.