This includes the necessary pre-sale advice that is translated into the overall Exit Plan and business sale marketing strategy.

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• No two businesses are the same and consequently no two business sales or exit strategies can be the same.

• All of our expert guidance is engineered on a totally bespoke basis for each individual client and based on the desired outcome and objectives of the client.

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For most business owners selling their business is a once in a lifetime event and for many people it is a very emotional and complex experience.

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With this in mind any preparation that will help improve the speed and efficiency of the transaction is a worthwhile investment.

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Exit Planning – being ready to sell your business for all its worth

 

An ‘Exit Plan’ or ‘Exit Strategy’ is a term often used to describe the process of preparing to sell your business at a date say 18 months to even up to 5 years into the future.

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This term or process can often be overhyped as, like most things in business, creating a project or strategy can be straightforward with expert help and guidance from a professional advisor. Making a business ‘game ready’ to sell will link directly into the technical procedure of selling a business and hence the Exit Plan is usually prepared by a business broker / corporate finance advisor.

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What is typically explored in an exit strategy?

 

The process will involve a comprehensive fact find that will not only generate a detailed information document but also will begin to address and answer the following questions:

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Who are we preparing the business to be sold to? E.g.
 

• The incumbent management team?

• A trade buyer?

• A competitor?

• An external investor?

• An incoming management team?

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Preparing the business to fit straight away with the requirements of a prospective buyer is key.

What type of financially structured transaction are we seeking? E.g.

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• Selling 100% of the business

• Selling a majority share of the business

• Cash day 1 only

• Debt free and cash free

• Working Capital Peg

• Cash and structured payments depending on performance

• Leveraged Buy Out (LBO)

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The type of buyer and maturity of the business will impact the deal structure that Hyde House will strive to make tax efficient (see Entrepreneurs relief).

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Should the business buy other companies before its own exit? Organic growth can often slow or even plateau.

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• What are the growth expectations?

• Can the business grow more rapidly through acquisitions?

• Will the acquisitions embed greater value?

• Consolidating some of the market place often makes a business more attractive to larger players in the same sector or synergistic sectors.

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As well as looking externally to the potential market place the Exit Plan will also address internal business issues such as structure, reporting and documentation and for example measurement against KPIs.

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From what territory will the buyer come? Can the business be attractive outside of the UK markets? E.g.

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• Is the business being sold attractive to emerging market companies?

• Is the business a potential steppingstone into a lucrative UK market place?

• Where does the business compete internationally?

 

Accessing international markets can often increase the value of a business sale.

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Hyde House has a track record of selling into international markets and is internationally networked.

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Talk to an exit planning expert today

Discuss your exit plans with an expert advisor call 0333 3440 778 or complete the form above to request a call back.

All consultations are held on a no obligation basis and are completely confidential, your details will never be passed to any third party under any circumstance.

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• Receive expert advice on your exit strategy.

• Gain an understanding of the potential value of your business.

• Advice on improving business value.