For most business owners, their company is a fragile and illiquid investment that represents the lion’s share of their net worth. And its often their life’s work, a legacy worth protecting! Exiting a business is often complex and getting it right takes planning.

Pre-sale preparation ensures seamless sale process execution and exceptional transaction outcomes. Whether you intend to transfer your company to family, partners, managers, a third party, private equity or a strategic buyer, exit planning is well worth it.

Eight Exit Planning Benefits

1. Identify value gaps and transferability obstacles – a key starting point
2. Establish clear priorities, strategies and time frames – there are many possible outcomes, but one right result for your vision and goals.
3. Make the company more attractive to buyers
4. Increase value for all shareholders
5. Produce a smoother management transition
6. Minimize transaction risks
7. Minimize income and estate taxes
8. Prevent costly mistakes

On a personal level, exit planning settles your mind, re-energizes you and gives your work greater purpose.

See Strategic Exit Planning Process

However, coordinating all of the business, management, financial, legal, tax, estate, family, legacy, market and personal considerations is complicated and emotional for owners. Few owners have the training and time to tackle this on their own, while running their business. Therefore many owners procrastinate when it comes to exit planning.

Failing to prepare for an exit can result in a business owner …

1. being forced by unplanned circumstances to exit involuntarily in a bargain sale, sale to a competitor or liquidation
2. wasting time and money on one or more sale transactions that fail to close
3. undervaluing their business
4. giving up more of the proceeds in taxes than necessary
5. prolonging retirement and failing to achieve their life goals
6. failing to leave a lasting legacy
7. burdening their family with matters that they were unprepared for

Fortunately, you don’t have to be an exit planning expert — this is where Exit Strategies comes in. Contact Al Statz for a confidential initial consultation.