How to sell your business
We’re often asked about the best way to sell a business. While every sale is different, there are two key components; structuring the transaction and positioning it in the market. Both elements are important and can significantly impact your result.
Structuring the Transaction
Structuring the transaction covers things such as pricing the business, the terms and conditions attached to the sale, key terms in the contract, and ensuring the transaction structure is as tax-effective as possible. Much of the structuring is about ensuring the vendors secure the most efficient and effective outcome from the sale. It is about maximising vendor position.
Positioning the Business
Positioning is about doing everything needed to maximise the probability of a sale occurring whereas structuring is about getting the best outcome from a transaction once it has occurred. A lot of people make the mistake of spending most of their energy on the structuring of the transaction. It is important but it only becomes important if the sale is achieved.
Discuss structuring first to help identify any key decisions that need to be made but put most of your effort into positioning the business.
To do this, you need to get an objective assessment of how the business compares in its market, its competitive position, and what, if any, impediments to sale exist – all the things a buyer will look at and look for when they assess your business.
Most buyers believe that we are currently in a buyer’s market and will try to drive down price expectations. Whether or not you are in a buyer’s market depends on your industry segment but regardless of this, you are in a competitive market. Buyers may be comparing your business with similar businesses but also opportunities in other industry segments. Securing a sale at the best possible price is about having your business positioned for sale. Preparation time is needed to achieve this so talk to us well in advance of putting your business on the market.
If you are considering selling your business chat to our team today to achieve the best possible outcome on (03) 5331 3711.
DISCLAIMER: The material and contents provided in this publication are informative in nature only. It is not intended to be advice and you should not act specifically on the basis of this information alone. If expert assistance is required, professional advice should be obtained.
