The Quiet Exit

Mission: Sell a Business for Absolute Maximum Sale Price

Selling a business is a sales process. The business sale price ultimately received for a business is greatly impacted by HOW the business is sold. Maximum business sale price is garnered through appropriate preparation of the offering documents (packaging); savvy execution of the proven “quiet auction” process; and deft negotiation and orchestration of the process by an experienced and talented dealmaker.

Business Sale Process: How a Business Is Sold Greatly Impacts Price

When your mission is to sell a business for absolute maximum sale price, selling a business is a sales process. The business sale price ultimately received is greatly impacted by HOW the business is sold. That is, when the mission is to sell a business, the maximum business sale price is garnered through appropriate preparation of the offering documents (packaging); savvy execution of the proven “quiet auction” process; and deft negotiation and orchestration of the process by an experienced and talented dealmaker.

The Ideal Situation for a Management Buyout

Thousands of sources of equity capital in the U.S. and around the world are willing and able to pay top dollar for great companies, leave the tenured management in place, provide meaningful ownership to the manager or management team that remains, and mentor and support the new owner-managers in continuing to grow the business. This is the type of transaction Acquisition Advisors specializes in and is proud to bring about.

The Community Wins When the Deal’s Done Right

Acquisition Advisors talks about win-win transactions. That is, business purchase/sale transactions that result in a “win” for the owner-seller, buyer, employees and community. By “community,” we mean where the company operates.

When the right buyer is found, the business has its greatest opportunity to thrive. This, of course, is good for the community as it continues to employ, provide livelihoods and contribute to the community’s tax base.

The Ultimate Exit

Most successful business owners are good people. Caring people. I’ve worked with thousands of them.

Jerks tend to implode, eventually. Traits of care, honesty and integrity aid the business owner in surviving and succeeding over the long haul, so most who “make it” are “good folks,” as we say in the South.

Yes, most successful business owners are also driven to achieve material and financial success, but such is not the extent of who they are. They care about the people around them, such as their employees. They contribute to charitable causes.

Focus on Value Drivers to Maximize Business Value

The day will come when you want out. Given all your hard work and sacrifice, you deserve a big pay day. So, why not set yourself up today for that to happen?

As it turns out, buyers have a lot in common. Below is a list of characteristics that, when present in a business, entice buyers to pay more. Conversely, a lack of these characteristics detracts from the price received. These “value drivers” are listed in rough order of importance.

What We Mean When We Say Maximum “Value”

Business owners hold something of value — ownership in a business. And, in the life of an owner, there typically comes a time when he/she becomes willing to part with his ownership in exchange for some things he/she values. Typically, the thing of value is money. But in every deal there are many deal points. Many more than just money.

Quiet Is PART of the Plan, Not THE Plan

When a battle must be waged, a battle plan is developed. Experts are brought in and together settle on the plan that has the best chance of securing victory at the lowest possible risk and cost. The plan is always confidential, and almost always includes an element of surprise.

Business Sale Value Maximized by Skilled Prep, Packaging, Process Execution

It’s a shame. Business owners just don’t understand that how a business is sold has as much to do with the eventual value obtained (“sale value”) as the characteristics of the business itself. They naively think their business has a certain value and all they need to do is start talking to buyers. They think it’s like selling a home. It has a certain value and as soon as the right buyer comes along, a deal will get done.