When the owner of a business makes the decision to sell, he or she is taking a giant step that involves the emotions as well as the marketplace, each with its own set of complexities. Those sellers who are tempted to undertake the transaction on their own should understand both the process and the emotional environment that this process is set against. The steps outlined below are just some of...Read More
In addition to using a business broker, there are specific steps you can take to increase the chance of a successful closing.
Know why you want to sell your business. Before placing your business for sale, it is important that you both know why you want to sell your business and that you are certain about this decision.
Have a plan for what you will do following the closing.
Make sure...Read More
The Letter of Intent (LOI) is a pre-contractual written instrument prepared by the buyer for the seller, which is usually the preliminary understanding of both parties. The Letter of Intent can also be called Agreement in Principle or Memorandum of Understanding. They all have the same general meaning and lay out the following: What is being purchased and what is not, how much will be paid,...Read More
Most individual company owners only sell one business in their lifetime. A corporate buyer, however, may have been involved in quite a few transactions – some that worked and some that did not. What does this mean for the seller? The acquirer may have an experienced team or have been through the business transaction process more than once resulting in a lopsided contest — the amateur...Read More
There are lots of reasons why the sale of a business falls apart. The reasons can be grouped into four major categories: those caused by the buyer; those caused by the seller; those caused by a third party; and those caused by “acts of fate”. (Anything that does not fit the first three categories can be lumped into this fourth category of things that just happen.)
Sellers
Some sellers really...Read More
