Not Quite Ready To Sell?

Some of our most successful deals came to be as a result of the owner having a vision and unbending commitment to ready their business and bring it to market at the right time for the best value.

Selling a business is different from selling a real estate asset. Real estate and equipment can generally be sold at a good price and fairly quickly. Selling a business takes extensive preparation and thought and, most of the time, years to obtain maximum value.

Ask yourself: What does the BUYER want? What does the BUYER see value in?

Creative Business Services (Creative Business Services / CBS-Global) understands that selling a business most times is a long-term scenario. Throughout Creative’s 40+ year history, we have come to learn to take the long view. This happens by developing relationships and establishing credibility with various business leaders so that when they are ready to sell, we can:

Help and suggest ways to build the value of the business.
Come to fully understand the business.
Be prepared to identify the business’s best strategic buyers .

The theme here is to build business value and examine some of the best steps the business owner can take to prepare the business for the market and get the best value with the right terms and conditions for that business owner.

Realize the Nature of Values. When considering selling your business, it’s of the utmost importance to look at its value – or, more succinctly, its two values: academic value, determined by a professional business valuation, and true or fair market value.

Academic value is determined with a formula based on the company’s tangible assets, cash flow, industry averages, and multiples of EBITDA. (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization).

A fair market valuation takes the above items into consideration too, but then weighs in on what buyers are really looking for and willing to pay. If it’s a strategic buyer, synergies between the two entities may fetch an attractive premium in value.

For many small and mid-sized businesses, tangible assets – e.g., equipment, vehicles, real estate, and inventory are important, but the value is also based on earnings and intangible assets. Some of which are reputation, market share, employees, proprietary processes, intellectual property, customer lists, location, and business relationships.

To get the most out of a fair market value of your business, focus on those intangible assets. Start taking a forensic look – through a buyer’s eyes – at issues that could render your company vulnerable to realizing its ultimate value.

Taking a look at the value of your business through that sophisticated, strategic buyer’s perspective is an excellent example of how an industry-savvy M&A advisor can help you attain the best value. In a recent deal, our experience of market conditions in the dairy sector uncovered a high-quality opportunity for a strategic buyer, culminating in a scenario where the seller received substantially more for his company than they realized.

Identify and Develop Your Niche. Being a “jack of all trades” is just that and not specializing in anything. Create that niche or niches that are high quality and unique. Buyers will pay a premium for niches that have barriers for competitors to enter.

Straighten Up Your Financials. A good M&A advisor can help you position your financials in the most positive light, but it’s ultimately your responsibility to clean them up to do that.

Be absolutely sure your inventory and asset records are in sync with what is physically there.
Fortify your ratios: working capital, debt-to-equity, “quick,” price-to-earnings, return on equity, etc. (This takes time and will not be accomplished quickly; This would be a good time to test the medal of your Financial Advisor to break them in.)
Non-business items need to be removed. Less than kosher manipulation of your finances to lower your tax bill raises eyebrows and creates doubt with prospective buyers.

Amend Cash Flows. An experienced buyer wants to see the “real” cash flow. In the real business world, cash is king. Drive as much income as possible to the bottom line.

Reappraise Your Assets. If you have unproductive assets or inventory that is unsalable, get rid of it. Eliminate or buy off any assets that are typically used for your personal use.

Enhance and Develop Key Employees. Buyers generally have an issue paying top dollar for a business that is heavily reliant on the owner for the business’s success. If you haven’t done so, start delegating responsibility to key employees, incentivize them to be successful, and involve your senior staff members in the decision-making process. Giving your company depth through the combined effort of your employees and demonstrating that your company’s success rests on your team and not just you is key. This is what an experienced buyer is looking for.

Verify & Document Everything. Employees and their job descriptions, operational functions, and a 5-year business plan should be well documented. If your records and plans are documented, a buyer is going to have much more assurance that he or she will be able to sustain your business’s successful growth, which will enable the buyer to get financing when needed. Make sure to keep your business records legible and well organized. They would be sales, expense reports, P&L statements/balance sheets, and tax returns.

Buyer confidence equates to higher perceived value. Eliminate the unknown.

Create and Build Diversified Relationships. Your business value, in part, is connected to your reputation, brand name, customer recognition, and market awareness. These are all part of your business value. Your most valuable commodities are your relationships, product quality, and customer service. Diversify your customer and supplier concentration. Try not to have any one client be more than 10% or 15% of your total revenues.

Minimize Risk. What a buyer is willing to pay is a function of risk. Buyers are affected by their sense of business risks. Areas that influence business risk for long term viability include:

risks of customer concentration
supplier dependency
absence of contracts with key employees
Competition
environmental issues and regulatory compliance
legal challenges.

If you are looking to sell your business, it’s important to keep these intangible assets in mind. They tell a story that your financials and tax returns cannot. Plan ahead if you’re looking to sell. It is highly recommended to address the risks and intangibles well in advance of putting your company on the market. Often times business owners burn out and psychologically, and they discover they have retired already. The other scenario that comes into play, heaven forbid, is health issues, and then it’s of the utmost importance to have your business ready for the marketplace.

When you finally decide to market your business, remember it’s very important to develop a team of specialists to help you prepare your business and put it in its best light for potential buyers. They will help make the most of your transaction. They are – an experienced Mergers & Acquisitions Attorney, a CPA firm that is familiar and effective with business transactions, and finally, a strong, reputable Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor that can successfully guide you through the sale process with a minimum of issues, to name a few. Always keep in mind, you may only have one chance to sell your business for top value, so follow the aforementioned steps and do it right.

It’s never too early to prepare your business for sale. In fact, you should always operate your business like it’s ready to sell. You can start the process today if you’re willing to take the long view toward maximizing your selling price.

Bob Wolter, Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor

Call us to 920-432-1166 ext 31. All your inquiries are strictly confidential.