10 Things to Think About if You are Thinking About Thinking About Selling Your Business

Contemplating the sale of your business is a transformative decision that requires strategic planning and careful evaluation. There are many complexities involved in the effective and successful sale of a business. In this blog post, we will explore essential considerations to think about in order to optimize your business’s value and its potential for growth. The goal is to help give you the framework for you to achieve the best possible outcome when selling your business to an institutional buyer.

1. Review and Negotiate Major Expenses:

Meticulously review all major expenses in your business. Identify areas where cost efficiencies can be achieved without compromising operations. Skillful negotiation with vendors and suppliers can lead to substantial cost savings, directly impacting the bottom line. Remember deals are priced off of a multiple of EBITDA (see below), so any reduction in expense that can flow through to the bottom line can significantly increase the value you will get from a sale.

2. Increase EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization):

Maximizing EBITDA is crucial for a favorable business valuation. Work with your CFO / CPA to identify opportunities for revenue growth and cost reduction, ultimately increasing profitability and attractiveness to potential buyers.

3. Handle “Owner’s Add Backs” Strategically:

Private equity firms and potential buyers often discount “owner’s add backs” as they might consider them as discretionary expenses. To ensure a fair valuation, discuss with your CFO / CPA how certain distributions or expenses traditionally attributed to the owner can be presented to potential buyers in a way that highlights their contribution to the business’s growth.

4. Review Mix of Customers and Quality of Earnings:

With a priority on a diverse mix of customers, assess your customer base to ensure it is well-balanced and not overly reliant on a small group of clients or a particular industry. A diverse customer base not only mitigates risk but also enhances the attractiveness of your business to potential buyers. Additionally, seek to solidify vendor contracts to provide stability and predictability to the business’s earnings, further increasing its appeal.

5. Prepare for Due Diligence:

Anticipate potential buyers’ due diligence inquiries by organizing all relevant documents and data. You should have the monthly income statement and balance sheet information for the past three years in spreadsheet form. Additionally, you will need a compilation of your customer and end market concentrations and mix, list of your top competition, and a list of personal / one-time expenses to be added back to EBITDA. Being well-prepared will demonstrate professionalism and transparency, instilling confidence in potential buyers.

6. Enhance Operational Efficiency:

Optimize your business’s operations by identifying areas where processes can be streamlined. Efficient operations enhance marketability and demonstrate the potential for sustainable growth.

7. Assemble a Strong Management Team:

A competent and experienced management team inspires confidence in buyers that the business can continue to thrive under new ownership. Empower and support your team to ensure a smooth transition and mitigate potential risks.

8. Plan for Life After the Sale:

Consider your post-sale plans, including financial goals and potential involvement in the new company. Reflect on what role, if any, you wish to have and the type of partners you desire for the investment. Clear goals and expectations will pave the way for a successful transition.

9. Meet with a Wealth Manager:

Meeting with a wealth manager before selling your business is essential for comprehensive financial planning. They offer expertise in cash flow dynamics and design customized investment strategies tailored to your post-sale financial goals. Additionally, wealth managers play a crucial role in efficient estate planning, ensuring the strategic structuring of assets to minimize tax liability and facilitate a smooth wealth transition. Their insights into tax-efficient investment strategies and portfolio construction for income replacement contribute to a well-rounded approach, optimizing the after-tax value of your wealth and securing your financial well-being beyond the sale.

10. Engage a Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Specialist:

Enlisting the services of an experienced M&A expert is not just a prudent choice; it’s a strategic imperative. M&A advisors are experts in business transactions with access to vast networks of potential buyers. They will put together a comprehensive market analysis in addition to identifying dealmakers in your industry and gauging the potential demand for the business. Further, they bring extensive negotiation and deal structure experience which assists in ensuring deal success.

• Expertise in Business Transactions:
  M&A specialists are seasoned professionals who specialize in orchestrating complex business transactions. They possess an in-depth understanding of the intricacies involved in mergers and acquisitions, which can be daunting for those unfamiliar with the process. Leveraging their expertise, they can help you navigate the negotiation, due diligence, and closing stages of the sale with finesse.
• Expertise in Business Valuation:
  M&A professionals possess a unique advantage in business valuation as they are actively engaged in live deals with hands-on experience allowing them to assess the current landscape accurately. Unlike software or CPAs who may rely on historical data and algorithms, an M&A advisor’s active involvement in ongoing deals ensures a more dynamic and up-to-date understanding of the market, leading to a more precise valuation of your business. The ability to draw on experiences from the midst of live and active transactions enables M&A experts to factor in the latest market shifts, making their valuation assessments more responsive and reflective of the current business climate.
• Access to a Vast Network:
  M&A pros have extensive networks of potential buyers, including private equity firms, strategic investors, and family offices of ultra-high-net-worth individuals actively seeking investment opportunities. Their connections can significantly expand your pool of potential buyers, enhancing your chances of securing the best deal possible.
• Deal-Making Prowess:
  In a sale, you’ll often find yourself negotiating with sophisticated professional investors who are beholden to their shareholders. M&A experts excel in these negotiations, ensuring that your interests are well-represented and that you receive a fair valuation. Their ability to strike advantageous deals is honed through years of experience.
• Comprehensive Market Analysis:
  M&A advisors go beyond the surface valuation of your business. They conduct a comprehensive market analysis to gauge the demand for your company and identify potential buyers willing to pay a premium. Understanding the market conditions allows you to tailor your approach and negotiate from a position of strength.
• Deal Structuring Expertise:
  Crafting the right deal structure is critical to maximizing the value of your business and minimizing risks. M&A specialists possess the acumen to structure deals that align with your financial goals and tax optimization strategies, resulting in significant savings and overall financial success.

Conclusion:

When contemplating the sale of your business, prioritize the business’s interests first by optimizing its value and potential for growth. Strategically review and negotiate major expenses while increasing EBITDA to improve the bottom line and enhance its attractiveness to potential buyers. Taking a thoughtful approach to “owner’s add backs” can positively impact the valuation. Additionally, focus on operational efficiency and assemble a strong management team to assure a smooth transition. Plan for your post-sale financial future and consider your role and desired partners in the new company. Work with a wealth manager to discuss tax implications, charitable structures, and investment portfolios to secure your financial well-being beyond the sale. Finally, engage a seasoned M&A team to leverage their expertise and deal-making experience.

AlignBA is here to guide you through every step of this transformative journey, ensuring you get top dollar for the sale of your company. Contact us today to explore how we can help you achieve M&A success.