CEO Advisor Newsletter August 2021
7 Key points for Successfully Selling Your Business
Selling your business is a major consideration, especially after many years of long hours and hard work. Your business is most likely your highest valued asset in terms of dollars and retirement. Valuations are currently extremely high, but not likely to last for long given a downturn in the financial markets is inevitable, and valuations have recently leveled off.
It is critical that CEOs and business owners receive the needed advice and help on the sale process in order to maximize the sale price, complete due diligence and get a transaction done. This process is extremely intricate and is comprised of hundreds of small yet very important steps.
Here are some important tips if you are considering selling your business in the near future:
Business ValuationUnderstand what the realistic value of your business is today by researching recent comparable Revenue and EBITDA multiples. It helps to have information that is organized, easy to understand, simple to interpret and supports the objectives of the sale process. A mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisor will be able to help you gain this information.
Structure the Sale to Protect Your BusinessYou need to be infinitely prepared prior to going to market. Carefully qualify who you engage with to manage your sale process, and only pursue acquirers that you determine are serious and have the funds to close. You, as the seller, need to understand what any offer is comprised of (cash, assets, stock, notes, deferred compensation, earn out, etc.). An M&A advisor is critical to negotiating the Letter of Intent (LOI) to maximize your value, price and terms.
Get to the Offer Stage QuicklyWhether buying or selling a business, a well drafted offer letter in the form of a non-binding Letter of Intent is critical. It’s in no one’s interest to put a huge amount of effort and resources into a business sale before both parties can agree on an offer that is understandable and that represents a good probability of closing. This is a critical aspect of the deal and your team of advisors can benefit you in the millions of dollars (price, terms, escrows, taxes, etc.) by gaining clarity on the offer up front.
Be Prepared For Due DiligenceUnderstand the other party’s position. This is key in gathering the requested information for the buyer and successfully getting through the rigorous due diligence process. In all cases, be ready for the due diligence process by preparing and organizing several months prior to selling in order to maximize your company’s value and enhance the probability of the deal closing. An M&A advisor is extremely valuable in preparing for a sale, not just during the sale process.
Determine Your Role in the FutureNegotiate your role and compensation early on in the process before you are too deeply vested in time, resources and legal fees. Far too often acquiring companies will push this off until it is too late for you to strike a favorable compensation plan. You can make a substantial amount of money after the sale, and your involvement in the business for a period of time is critical to make the sale happen. This is an especially critical step where an M&A advisor can negotiate on your behalf where it will be extremely awkward for you to push this aspect of the deal on your own.
Hit Your Forecast Along the WayIt is extremely important to continue to achieve your monthly financial forecast during the sale process. Not achieving your sales and profit targets at a key point in the sale process is a common reason for business sales floundering or buyers pulling out altogether. Your business isn’t sold until the closing occurs and you never want to create concern or cause your buyer to renegotiate the price or to walk. Bottom line - never spook the buyer.
Keep the Sale Process on TrackThe process of selling a business can absorb more time and resources than you realize, resulting in high costs and you being distracted from running your business. Be very clear early on how the sale process should unfold and make sure you are delivering on your side. Keep on timelines and don’t abandon them at any point. Instill deadlines, as needed, to lock in a target closing date as soon as the due diligence process is complete, and make sure the legal documents clearly reflect the Letter of Intent you signed up front.
Secure a team of advisors as a first step, including an M&A advisor to manage the entire sale process, a corporate/transaction attorney and a CPA/tax advisor. This team will both optimize your sale price, focus on the net dollars to you after taxes, and greatly increase your odds of closing a deal.
CEO Advisor, Inc. has the expertise and experience to help you through this challenging and stressful sale process. Contact Mark Hartsell, MBA, President of CEO Advisor, Inc. at (949) 629-2520, by email at MHartsell@CEOAdvisor.com or visit us at www.CEOAdvisor.com for more information.
It is critical that CEOs and business owners receive the needed advice and help on the sale process in order to maximize the sale price, complete due diligence and get a transaction done. This process is extremely intricate and is comprised of hundreds of small yet very important steps.
Here are some important tips if you are considering selling your business in the near future:
Business ValuationUnderstand what the realistic value of your business is today by researching recent comparable Revenue and EBITDA multiples. It helps to have information that is organized, easy to understand, simple to interpret and supports the objectives of the sale process. A mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisor will be able to help you gain this information.
Structure the Sale to Protect Your BusinessYou need to be infinitely prepared prior to going to market. Carefully qualify who you engage with to manage your sale process, and only pursue acquirers that you determine are serious and have the funds to close. You, as the seller, need to understand what any offer is comprised of (cash, assets, stock, notes, deferred compensation, earn out, etc.). An M&A advisor is critical to negotiating the Letter of Intent (LOI) to maximize your value, price and terms.
Get to the Offer Stage QuicklyWhether buying or selling a business, a well drafted offer letter in the form of a non-binding Letter of Intent is critical. It’s in no one’s interest to put a huge amount of effort and resources into a business sale before both parties can agree on an offer that is understandable and that represents a good probability of closing. This is a critical aspect of the deal and your team of advisors can benefit you in the millions of dollars (price, terms, escrows, taxes, etc.) by gaining clarity on the offer up front.
Be Prepared For Due DiligenceUnderstand the other party’s position. This is key in gathering the requested information for the buyer and successfully getting through the rigorous due diligence process. In all cases, be ready for the due diligence process by preparing and organizing several months prior to selling in order to maximize your company’s value and enhance the probability of the deal closing. An M&A advisor is extremely valuable in preparing for a sale, not just during the sale process.
Determine Your Role in the FutureNegotiate your role and compensation early on in the process before you are too deeply vested in time, resources and legal fees. Far too often acquiring companies will push this off until it is too late for you to strike a favorable compensation plan. You can make a substantial amount of money after the sale, and your involvement in the business for a period of time is critical to make the sale happen. This is an especially critical step where an M&A advisor can negotiate on your behalf where it will be extremely awkward for you to push this aspect of the deal on your own.
Hit Your Forecast Along the WayIt is extremely important to continue to achieve your monthly financial forecast during the sale process. Not achieving your sales and profit targets at a key point in the sale process is a common reason for business sales floundering or buyers pulling out altogether. Your business isn’t sold until the closing occurs and you never want to create concern or cause your buyer to renegotiate the price or to walk. Bottom line - never spook the buyer.
Keep the Sale Process on TrackThe process of selling a business can absorb more time and resources than you realize, resulting in high costs and you being distracted from running your business. Be very clear early on how the sale process should unfold and make sure you are delivering on your side. Keep on timelines and don’t abandon them at any point. Instill deadlines, as needed, to lock in a target closing date as soon as the due diligence process is complete, and make sure the legal documents clearly reflect the Letter of Intent you signed up front.
Secure a team of advisors as a first step, including an M&A advisor to manage the entire sale process, a corporate/transaction attorney and a CPA/tax advisor. This team will both optimize your sale price, focus on the net dollars to you after taxes, and greatly increase your odds of closing a deal.
CEO Advisor, Inc. has the expertise and experience to help you through this challenging and stressful sale process. Contact Mark Hartsell, MBA, President of CEO Advisor, Inc. at (949) 629-2520, by email at MHartsell@CEOAdvisor.com or visit us at www.CEOAdvisor.com for more information.
CEO Advisor, Inc. Advises Azarc.io, Inc. on Growth, Strategy and Funding
Mark Hartsell elected Chairman of the Board of Directors to provide
added Governance and Strategic Direction
CEO Advisor, Inc. (www.CEOAdvisor.com), a business consulting, growth capital and M&A advisory firm, is advising Azarc.io, Inc. (www.azarc.io), a leader in software integration solutions for the logistics industry serving mid-market and enterprise global companies. Azarc’s patented software product, Verathread, uses a completely new and automated approach to the extremely complex process of routing, tracking and tracing merchandise with existing disparate systems from source to shipper to courier to final destination with a low code software platform that is both unique and innovative. Dave Robbins, CEO of Azarc states, “Azarc is tackling one of the most complex issues with a disruptive and highly scalable software product that will save manufacturers, traders and supply chains in general billions of dollars per year. We are extremely excited to have great customers such as DHL, British Telecom, Tech Mahindra, the Port of Rotterdam and others that put their trust in our capabilities.” Mark Hartsell, President of CEO Advisor, Inc., states, “Azarc has a strong, mature management team, and has designed and developed software that is truly ground breaking. Their hard work and focus has been validated by some of the largest logistics companies worldwide.” CEO Advisor, Inc. is providing the company growth, strategy and growth capital advisory services. Our financial, sales, marketing and operational expertise will drive the business forward and assist in raising the needed capital to fully realize this tremendous opportunity. Additionally, Mark Hartsell has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors and will use his experience and expertise to assist in guiding the management team, providing additional corporate governance and strategic direction during this critical phase of growth. About CEO Advisor, Inc.CEO Advisor, Inc. provides growth consulting, growth capital and mergers and acquisition advisory services to effectively meet the specific needs of small to mid-size companies in the software, technology, media, healthcare, and other industries. CEO Advisor's mission is to advise CEOs, presidents and business owners with the needed expertise and focus, coupled with hands-on advice to grow businesses to the next level and realize the CEO’s or business owner’s life dream through a successful exit. Contact Mark Hartsell, MBA, President of CEO Advisor, Inc. for a no cost initial consultation at (949) 629-2520, by mobile phone at (714) 697-3370, by email at MHartsell@CEOAdvisor.com or visit us at www.CEOAdvisor.com for more information.