Our Process
Five stages, each with a clear purpose and a clear output
You should always know what is happening, why, and what you will have at the end of it. Every engagement follows the same path, scaled to the size of the company and the time you have before you want to exit.
01
Confidential conversation
An unhurried conversation about the company, what you want from it, and when. There is nothing to prepare. We will ask about how the business makes money, how much of it depends on you, and what has prompted you to look at this now.
You leave with an honest first view of where the business stands and whether working together makes sense. If it does not, we will say so.
02
Assessment
A structured review of the business across three areas: profit (margins, pricing, costs and cash), systems (processes, roles, reporting and owner involvement) and exit readiness (what a buyer would examine and how the company measures up). We review your financial statements and talk with you and, where appropriate, your key people.
You leave with a written summary of strengths, risks and the largest opportunities, in plain language.
03
Roadmap
The assessment becomes a plan. Each recommended change is ranked by its expected effect on earnings and on how well the business would transfer to a new owner, then sequenced against your timeline and capacity.
You leave with a prioritized roadmap and a written proposal for any work you want our help with. You can also take the roadmap and carry it out yourself.
04
Implementation
We work with you and your team to put the roadmap in place: pricing changes, process documentation, reporting, management structure. Progress is reviewed on a regular schedule against the scorecard agreed at the start, and the plan adjusts as results come in.
You leave with changes that are in place and owned by your team, not a binder on a shelf.
05
Exit preparation
When you decide the time is right, the focus shifts to the transaction: organizing records for due diligence, reviewing exit options and offers, and coordinating with your attorney, CPA and financial advisor. Some owners reach this stage within a year; others are years away and simply want to be ready.
You leave with a company prepared for a buyer’s scrutiny, and a clearer head for the decisions that come with selling it.
Ground rules
How we work at every stage
- Confidential by default. Whether you are considering a sale is not shared with anyone without your permission.
- Scope and fees in writing first. No work begins until you have agreed to a written proposal.
- Plain language. Findings and recommendations are written so you can act on them and explain them to your team.
- Your advisors stay involved. Your CPA, attorney and financial advisor keep their roles; we coordinate with them.
- No promised outcomes. No one can guarantee a sale price. We will be specific about what we expect each change to do, and honest when it does not.
Next step
Find out where your business stands today.
Start with a confidential conversation about your company, what you want from it, and your timeline. There is no obligation, and you will leave with a clearer view of your options.