Even if it's not in "The Plan" today, you should be prepared for that unsolicited call from a competitor or from a financial buyer, such as a private equity firm or other investor group. Or, perhaps your business has undergone regulatory changes, a turnover in management, financing needs or other business issues that are affecting your growth potential.
Whatever the cause, you should think ahead about the potential disruptions associated with a transaction so you are ready to act. Taking a five-step approach to selling your business can help you define your objectives, identify your risks and value drivers and obtain a purchase offer that benefits both you and the company.
Surround yourself with key team members who will stay laser-focused on the long-term objectives of sale. This can be accomplished by:
- Identifying key employees in the process and including them in the planning process
- Identifying potential outcomes and timelines for a deal
- Determining clear objectives and communicating them with your team
- Procuring the right advisors
Buyers will want an in-depth look at your past, present and future financial performance. Be prepared to discuss:
- Present and future cash flow and projections
- Add-backs and other unique factors that have an impact on the financial performance of your company
- Key customers and concentrations within your industry, including your current market position
- Organizational structure, including finance, human resources and key department structure
The type of buyer you seek for your business will dictate which value points you highlight during the negotiations. Think about what the buyer would want from the acquisition. Put a value on the following:
- Key clients and customers
- Key financial metrics unique to your business, including manufacturing processes, key equipment, intellectual property and strategic partnerships
- Key trademark, copyright or other items such as the value of your brand
Structure, Structure, Structure. Consider which transaction makes the most sense and what is included in a transaction. Be sure to evaluate all potential avenues for a transaction in order to ensure that the option selected makes the most sense for your business. Take into account:
- Tax implications for the business and all owners
- Asset-sale versus stock-sale
- Which transaction is right — Debt, equity, debt with warrants, alternative investments
- Orphaned business operations — who is responsible
The key to any transaction is being nimble. The plan you start with is rarely the plan that gets executed. Communicate with your assembled team as frequently as possible to ensure you have the most efficient and effective transaction at each step of the deal. Be prepared to change the plan, retool the objectives and execute a new plan in a fluid deal environment.
Stay tuned for additional articles as we dive deeper into each of the five steps.
For More Information
CBIZ Transaction Advisory specialists are available to assist with your planning needs. Please don't hesitate to contact us at TAS@cbiz.com
Published on September 28, 2015 © Copyright CBIZ, Inc. and MHM. All rights reserved. Use of the material contained herein without the express written consent of the firms is prohibited by law. This publication is distributed with the understanding that CBIZ is not rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice. The reader is advised to contact a tax professional prior to taking any action based upon this information. CBIZ assumes no liability whatsoever in connection with the use of this information and assumes no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in tax laws or other factors that could affect the information contained herein.
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