Whether you are just starting out in your business or starting your exit planning, today’s M&A market is soaring with opportunities for both buyers and sellers.
Many companies are unexpectedly being approached by buyers with offers they could never have imagined.
Whatever your situation, it’s important to not be blinded by dollar signs, but understand what a sale transaction could mean to you, your family, and your employees.
My first bit of advice is:
MAKE SURE YOU ARE PREPARED!
You may be asking, what does “be prepared” mean? Well, there are steps business owners should take to ensure the decision they make is the right one for their business.
First, you must decide if selling your company means you retire to afternoons of golf, traveling the world (when the world is ready again), or finding another company to purchase that you dedicate your newfound time to growing and making successful. This is a tough decision, as many business owners may have never considered what life after their company looks like.
Second, have a good solid understanding of your financial plan, after you have decided what direction your future holds. It is extremely important to have a plan in place so you know if walking off into the sunset is even an option.
Many people do not consider the costs the company may have been bearing, which could fall on you as an individual when the company is no longer there. Some of these expenses may include:
These can be costly additions to your monthly expenses. So having an understanding of how much you need monthly for the estimated remainder of your life is a crucial planning step. This will also help you in determining how aggressive you can be in your investing strategy post-sale.
You should also have an idea of what your company is currently worth. Without this knowledge, you could be selling something that has far more value than you realize, or your business value could fall short of your expectations.
Keeping your financials “clean” and up-to-date will better help someone determine a value and provide confidence to a buyer that you are not hiding something. You may also want to consider having a financial review or an audit prepared to provide an even higher level of assurance. Contact an accounting professional experienced with M&A to guide you through this process.
In determining your company’s value, you can oftentimes discover weaknesses and risks within your organization that can be addressed well in advance of a buyer approaching you.
These could include customer or vendor concentrations, working capital concerns, or lack of a management team in place, which often ensures a smooth transition. Companies with solid management teams that are less reliant on the owner are often valued much higher than their competitors. Often times these managers are locked in with strong bonus plans that help the company achieve their goals. Some companies even offer “stay-on” bonuses if ownership changes.
Next, you should be aware of what type of buyer may be best suited for the company and whether that fits your overall goals.
There are strategic buyers, that are similar-type businesses or competitors, who oftentimes offer a higher price, but may downsize your staff by merging many positions and roles into their organization. If you are a small closely-held business, this may not fit your plans.
There are also private equity firms that may own several businesses and have large amounts of capital available to invest in your company, which could scale it up to a much higher level by investing in additional or better equipment, technology, and people.
You may also consider an “inside” buyer. This is generally one or more management team members. They often have a good understanding of the business and the people, but do not have funds available to allow for traditional lending and require a higher level of “seller-financing”.
Although a higher level of understanding of the business makes this less risky, there is still concern by sellers that they may not receive their full payments due to unforeseen future economic conditions. However, these buyers could continue with your legacy of keeping your company and your employees intact.
As you can see, there are many things to consider when making a decision on when the right time is to sell, many of which have not even been addressed in this article such as tax implications, deal structure, and legal considerations. It becomes important to bring in the right professional to help you navigate the many decisions.
So whether you are currently looking for a buyer, one just happens to fall in your lap, or you’re not even considering a sale at this point, it’s important to understand and know your options, your goals, and your vision so you can be prepared at any time in the event an opportunity arises.