Business acquisition is one of the most common news you could find in every newspaper or magazine. From large organizations to emerging companies, engaging in the process of buying or selling a business venture is nothing unusual these days. However, such actions always tend to leave an impact in the industry they cater. So, before entering into a deal and selling off a company, an owner needs to think clearly. It is necessary to keep in mind every aspect and possible after-effects that follow. This is a decision, which cannot be taken suddenly and hence required proper understanding of all the factors. Here are some of those things you need to consider before selling a company that you have once build with hard work.
- The first question you need to ask is why are you selling your company? The reasons could be anything- inability to perform in the market or planning to change the business nature. There are often cases where owners think that the existing business has restricted their potential for growth. Hence, understanding your own company dynamics is vital to decide whether selling off is an option for you or not.
- Is it right time to sell? This could be your next question because when you decide to sell a venture that has been running properly in the market; the numbers of buyers would be large. They would approach with flattering propositions. It is important for the owner to understand the perspective of the buyers and their interest in your business. This even helps you to get a clear idea about the existing position of your venture, which gives you the opportunity to negotiate.
Some business owners think that the right time to sell business is during its declining stage, whereas in reality, it is just the opposite. A business always earns more profit when it is sold at its top position. There are certified business brokers who offer better guidance regarding the selling time of a business.
- What should be your position? On many cases, the buyer accepts the presence of the original owner of the business even after the acquisition but as a consultant or board member for a short period of time. But you need to determine, whether you want to be a part of it because the fact is your presence hardly matters. The current owner is more interested with the business. Undoubtedly, a business for sale would have higher valuation but its ex-owner is not that important.
- Are you all set with the paperwork? Business sale is a big venture and you need to have all the papers and documents to make the process successful one. For instance, you must be able to produce 2-3 years of tax returns with accurate details, showing maximum profitability to get the best price for your business. Start your preparations early, so that you do not have to face any discrepancies at the time of selling. As the owner of business, you know the major hitches that could raise questions. Review all those key areas and make necessary corrections to add more value to your business. For instance, all the necessary documents stating the ownership of the business must be produced at the time of acquisition. Any error or ambiguity in the ownership of intellectual property would result in temporary suspension of process.
- Who should be in the team at the time of selling? First of all, you need to select the right buyer for your business and on the acquisition day you need to have the right team to coordinate the entire process. So, your team must include people who understand your business thoroughly, like the legal advisor, the business broker, the accountant and other important department heads. However, make sure that you have a strong and experienced set of people in the team to plan things and draw a profitable deal with your buyers.
Other than these, it is essential to understand every terms and conditions in the agreement and sign a deal without any confusion. Evaluate every point before the final handshakes and signatures. The business that you are about to sell is your passion; it is a result on intense hard work. So while selling it off, recognize the realities and possibilities to carry out a safe business deal.