Maximize Exit · Exit Planning
Exit planning that starts years before the sale
Selling a business is one of the largest financial decisions an owner makes. Exit planning makes sure you approach it with a clear goal, an honest picture of the company, and enough time to improve it.
Signs
This is usually the right place to start if
- You expect to sell, transfer or step back from the business within the next several years.
- You have a price in mind, but no clear basis for it.
- You are not sure whether family, partners, managers or an outside buyer should take over.
- You want to leave on your schedule, not because of burnout, health or an unexpected offer.
The work
What exit planning involves
The order and depth depend on your timeline. A typical engagement covers the following areas.
Your goals
What you need from a sale financially, what role you want afterward, and what matters to you about the company’s future and its people.
A buyer’s-eye readiness review
How the business looks to a buyer today: quality of earnings, owner dependence, customer concentration, depth of management, and the state of records and contracts.
Value drivers
The factors that most affect what your company could be worth, and which of them can realistically be improved before you sell.
Exit options
The paths available, from a sale to an outside or strategic buyer to a transfer to family or managers, and the trade-offs of each.
A timeline
A sequenced plan that ties each improvement to your target window, so the most valuable changes have time to show up in results.
What you come away with
A plan you can act on, and a clear picture of the gap
- A written readiness assessment in plain language
- A prioritized plan tied to your timeline
- A clear view of which outside advisors you will need, and when
- Regular check-ins so the plan keeps pace with the business
Questions
Common questions about exit planning
How far ahead should I start?
As early as you can. Improvements that buyers value, such as a stronger management team or cleaner financial records, take time to show up in results they will trust. Starting early gives you room; starting later still gives you a plan.
Will you tell me what my business is worth?
We will help you understand what drives value in your company and where it stands on those drivers. If you need a formal valuation, for example for tax or legal purposes, that should come from a qualified valuation professional, and we can help you prepare for it.
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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.