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Business Transition and Exit Planning
Musings and More About “Market” Terms in Transactions
An Overreliance on Market Terms Business professionals commonly negotiate transactions by reference to what is “market.” This makes great sense for the people who are responsible for negotiating price. Valuation and pricing methods are relatively tried and true after all, and math is an exact science. This is not to suggest that buyers and sellers […]
The Advantages of a Buy-Sell Agreement for Business Transitions
How Do I Love Thee Advantages of a Buy-Sell Agreement? Let Me Count the Ways… Businesses with more than one owner face unique challenges in planning for the future. A buy-sell agreement is an arrangement between business partners to govern potential ownership transitions, including the “four Ds”: death, disability, divorce and disagreement. One of the […]
Selling a Business: When Do I Know It’s the Right Time to Sell?
Selling a Business – Planning Is Key There are several factors that determine if an owner is selling a business at the right time. The greatest challenge for many owners is creating a strategic plan based on the owner’s individual priorities. An owner who is happiest post-sale is the owner who stuck to the plan, […]
Succession Planning and Exit-Strategies Are Too Important to Ignore
Business owners say they understand the importance of transition planning, yet few actually plan their exit. What is going to happen when you finally relinquish day-to-day control over your business? Are you going to sell it and live off the proceeds? Do you have a successor lined up to continue your legacy? Only you can know but, whatever you have in mind, it pays to have a formal and well thought-out succession plan and exit strategy.
Pre-Sale: Cleaning Up Your Balance Sheet
Before you sell your business, make sure to minimize your expenses and maximize your presented earnings.
You’re a business owner who is contemplating a sale. Intuitively, you understand that it’s important to make your business look as attractive as possible to potential buyers. If you haven’t sold a business before, you probably don’t know the best way to accomplish this.
Seller Financing: How to Strengthen Your Deal
In the right circumstances, seller financing can be the key to negotiating a better deal or closing more quickly. Seller beware, however, because cash is king and you will have to sue a buyer who defaults on an obligation to pay a Seller Note.
How Do I Evaluate Multiple Offers?
If you are fielding multiple offers for your business, it is important to keep a sober perspective and to work toward strengthening your final agreement. As the seller, you probably have greater leverage in a multi-buyer situation, but that does not necessarily make it an easier sale.
What Is the Due Diligence Process?
Buying a business is not like buying other assets. Much of a business’ value is intangible, and many of its component parts are difficult to price correctly. A wise purchaser relies on the due diligence process for protection.
Business Transition and Exit Planning Glossary
Assignment and Assumption Agreement An Assignment and Assumption Agreement is an agreement between a seller and buyer by which the seller (the assignor) transfers its rights and obligations under one or more executory contracts to a buyer (the assignee). The assignor may not be completely relieved of potential liability under a contract being assigned. Audited […]
Getting Started with Business Transition and Exit Planning
You are a business owner. You have worked hard, possibly for decades, building your business. You are smart. But you have never sold a business before. You have questions. Lots of questions. Where do you start? To whom do you turn? Your lawyer? Your accountant? A business broker? An investment banker? Who will you sell your business to? What is your business worth?
