The Business Seller’s Checklist

by ExitAdvisor · 19th September 2016

As with any project, selling a business involves careful planning and preparation. However, it’s not just a case of hiring a broker or investment bank and leaving them to it. Your task as a CEO starts long before assessing intermediaries and continues long past signing an engagement letter.

Axial have put together a helpful checklist on what needs to be done before, during and post hiring your deal advisor whether you’re selling the business or raising capital.

1. Determine an Exit Plan

Articulate your personal goals
Decide on your ideal timeline for exit
Prep for the possibility of personal challenges (tax and wealth planners can help)

2. Engage an Advisor or Investment Banker

For example, questions you need to run by an advisor:

“How will working with you add value?”
What does success look like for you?”
“What work have you done with companies like mine? What issues have you encountered?”
“What’s the biggest challenge for my company?”
“Who are common buyers for businesses like mine?”
“How are companies like mine typically valued?”
“What should I be doing now to prepare my business for a sale or capital raise?”