So why do so many business owners
fail to achieve a successful exit?
So why do so many business owners
fail to achieve a successful exit?
Over 50% of all business sales are involuntary, triggered by one of the 5 Ds:
The unexpected death of a business owner can have immediate and profound effects on the business.
When the owner becomes disabled and is unable to work, it is usually the case that the business suffers badly.
A divorce can lead to complex legal and financial issues that often threatens the stability and structure of the business.
Disagreements among business partners or shareholders can disrupt business operations and affect its value.
Financial distress or significant downturns in business performance can spell the end for an unprepared business.
Management and talent gaps
Owner(s) not decentralised
Glaring succession problem
Stunted customer acquisition channels
Poor or non-existent CRM and/or ERP
Few customers providing most of the sales
Operations and systems not documented
Deficient / no contracts (staff, suppliers, customers)
No IP register
Sub-standard KPI tracking
Financial reporting issues
No focus on the right value drivers
Earnings margins are less than industry average
Malaise in the company culture
We get involved very early in the process – sometimes several years before the actual exit.
As soon as a business is out of the start-up phase, it should aim towards achieving peak value.
The owner and the business ought to be ready for a potential buyer approach at any time.
Whilst strategic buyers often pay the highest prices, they only surface sporadically. .
As a certified CEPA organisation, we ensure alignment of the owners’
business, financial and personal goals.
It is important to have a clear, well-defined vision for life after the
business and what the owner wants to achieve personally and professionally.
We identify critical areas that require de-risking and identify the key value
drivers.
A comprehensive plan is created to deal with these issues and apply Value
Acceleration Methodology ™.
Our programme of ‘relentless execution’ is implemented through accountable 90-day sprints.
Our internal exit planning and corporate finance team is supported by a panel of best-in-class advisers in specialist disciplines, all with extensive experience in private company M&A transactions. These include solicitors, tax advisers, IFAs, chartered accountants, insurance experts, interim and part-time CFOs, lending specialists, HR consultants, family mediators and CRM/ERP system designers. If your business has a turnover of at least £2 million and you would like to arrange a time to talk, please leave a message in the chat at the bottom right.
