Selling your company can be an exciting yet tricky experience. As you begin identifying buyers, negotiating with them and closing the deal, you will realise that selling a business is easier said than done.
Many things can go wrong – you may not get the right price for your company, or you may find yourself in a situation where multiple buyers are interested in your business. In such cases, it is important to keep certain things in mind and ensure that you end up with a buyer who is worth your time and effort.
To help you with this, we have compiled a list of helpful tips you should keep in mind when selling your business. Take a look.
Do Your Research
This means understanding your company’s value, researching potential buyers and knowing what you want from the sale. Without adequate research, you will be unable to make informed decisions about selling your business.
Follow these tips for in-depth research:
- Understand your company’s value. This will help you determine the right price for your business and avoid situations where you are undervalued.
- Research potential buyers. You should know who you are selling to and what their intentions are. Are they looking to grow the company or simply liquidate it?
- Know what you want from the sale. What are your goals? Do you want to cash out completely or retain a minority stake in the company?
Get Your Financials in Order
Your financial statements will be one of the first things potential buyers will look at. It is important to get your financials in order and have all your ducks in a row before starting the sale process. This will give buyers confidence in your business and make them more likely to make a higher offer.
Your financial statements should include:
- Profit and loss statements for the last three years
- Balance sheets for the last three years
- A list of all major customers and suppliers
- Any information about outstanding loans or debts.
Hire a Good Lawyer and Accountant
Selling a business is a complex legal process. You will need to hire a good lawyer specialising in M&A to help you with the paperwork and negotiations. It is also important to have a good accountant on your team to help with the financial aspects of the sale.
Keep these tips in mind when finalising a lawyer:
- Check their experience in M&A transactions.
- Get referrals from other business owners who have recently sold their businesses.
- Make sure you are comfortable with their communication style and that they understand your goals.
And when looking for an accountant:
- Look for someone with experience in deals of a similar size and complexity.
- Get referrals from other business owners.
- Check that they are familiar with the tax implications of selling a business.
You may also need help changing your bank account information, transferring employee contracts and dealing with other legal aspects of the sale. A good lawyer will be able to help you with all of this.
Prepare an Information Memorandum
An information memorandum (IM) is a document that provides potential buyers with all the relevant information about your business. It should include everything from your financial statements to your growth plans. The IM is an important tool in the sale process as it allows buyers to understand your business comprehensively.
When preparing an IM, keep the following tips in mind:
- Keep it short and to the point. No one wants to read a 100-page document.
- Include all the relevant information, but don’t go into too much detail.
- Make sure the document is well-written and free of any errors.
Final Word
Selling a business is a big decision and should not be taken lightly. We hope that these tips will help you in the process. If you still have questions, please get in touch with us; we would be happy to help.
