Exit Strategies guides you through the complex, time-consuming business sale process, from our initial consultation to the closing table. Our systematic process solves many of the problems of conventional business brokerage. It increases selling prices and closing rates, and minimizes financial risk. We customize the process for your unique needs and circumstances.
Phase 1. Preliminary Planning & Education
In our initial meeting you receive answers regarding:
- Market conditions
- What buyers are looking for
- Exit Strategies’ systematic sale process
- Attracting buyers while maintaining confidentiality
- Analyzing and valuing your business
- Other professionals you may need
- The feasibility of achieving your goals
A critical step in successful business sales is valuation—what a company is worth. A value analysis gives you the confidence, objectivity and peace of mind to make good decisions, attract serious buyers and receive full value. An accurate valuation requires market research; analysis of financials, intangible assets, value drivers and risks; applying accepted methods of valuation, due diligence, and last but not least, experience. We recommend the appropriate level of analysis for your circumstances. We act in concert with your legal, tax and financial advisors to ensure essential answers that help you make the right decisions for you, your business, and your family. This phase produces answers regarding:
- Market value
- Value drivers – strengths and weaknesses
- Marketability, variables and potential obstacles
- Target buyers
- Likely deal structures
- Maximizing after-tax yield
- Preserving wealth
- Key constituents
- Preparation
- Timing
Next we enter into a sale engagement. Or, when market value doesn't support an owner’s needs, we can advise on building value for a future, more profitable exit. See Exit Planning.
Phase 3. Confidential, Strategic Marketing
To receive full value, a business has to be presented convincingly, with supportable facts. Exit Strategies produces a professional Confidential Business Review (CBR) package (or “deal book”) to present your business to prospective buyers. Since a confused mind always says “no”, we attempt to communicate everything serious buyers need to grasp your business and make solid offers. A CBR presents facts in a way that is meaningful to sophisticated buyers. This may include industry and competitive analyses. From the CBR, we extract a “blind” Executive Summary as the basis for ads and initial contact with target buyers. When appropriate, we pre-qualify businesses for third-party financing. We may have suggestions to make the business more marketable before going to market.
Too many brokers shortcut this phase and rush to market, only to disappoint their clients with low interest or low offers, and unnecessarily risk losing confidentiality.
Exit Strategies’ targets strategic and financial buyers, and local, national or international buyers, as appropriate for your business. Extensive research capabilities allow us to build a database of target companies and prioritize those with the greatest synergies. A custom campaign is aimed at target buyers, using multiple communication methods. You also receive immediate access to our database of buyer prospects, and our intermediary network is notified. We cast a net deep and wide to produce buyers for your business.
Confidentiality: Businesses are fragile ─ a confidentiality breach can damage the business and forestall your exit. Don't let employees, customers, suppliers or competitors know of your plans to sell. Exit Strategies has systems to screen buyers, guard sensitive information and maintain confidentiality throughout the process.
Phase 4. Negotiations, Due Diligence & Closing
With buyer candidates identified, screened, educated and informed, we obtain offers and discuss the pros and cons of those offers with you. We guide you through negotiations and deal structuring, in concert with your tax and legal advisors. A unique mix of attentiveness and skill is required to satisfy the needs of all parties. Every transaction is unique, and there's no substitute for experience in this phase.
Once the deal points are settled, we quarterback buyer and seller due diligence, financing, third-party approvals, definitive documents, escrow and closing. We problem-solve and keep the process moving. We coordinate with CPA's, bankers, attorneys, insurance providers, landlords, appraisers, environmental consultants, government agencies and others along the way. We bring focus and cohesiveness to your deal, and keep your team focused on your goal.
Selling a business successfully is a systematic process, not an isolated event. Your likelihood of success increases when our entire process is followed.
Engage Exit Strategies to work the process while you focus on running your company at peak performance. Stable, well-managed companies command higher prices. Now is not the time for shortcuts.
We invite you to contact us to for a confidential initial consultation.
