Business Exit Consulting

As a business owner, you’ll want to leave your company in a way that maximises value and minimises your risk. The plan to achieve this is called a business exit strategy.

It is important to get this strategy right as early as possible.

Ask one of our qualified finance and operational professionals to work alongside you as the business owner to prepare and/or grow your business with an exit in mind. For a free session, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.

The specifics of a business exit strategy will vary depending on your individual circumstances and the desired outcome, but the steps generally include:

1. Define your goals
   The first step in creating an exit strategy is to define your personal and business goals. You need to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve from the exit, whether it's to retire, pursue other interests, or simply cash out.


2. Assess the current business state
   Before you can create a successful exit strategy, you need to understand the current state of your business. This includes conducting a thorough analysis of your company's financials, contracts, IP, market position, and competitive landscape. It may well be that in order to achieve an optimum price, certain ‘housekeeping’ jobs need to be carried out first – this may take weeks, months or even years.


3. Decide on a specific exit strategy
   There are many exit strategies available, with more options and permutations available for larger, profitable enterprises. Strategies include selling the business or part of the business in a trade sale; floating on the AIM market, selling it to private equity; passing it on to a family member; facilitating a management buy-out, or putting the company into voluntary liquidation. An investigation and analysis of comparative sales in the industry may influence your decision. The choice of strategy will depend on your goals and the state of the business.


4. Develop a plan
   Once you (with your adviser) have devised an appropriate exit strategy, you need to develop a detailed plan that outlines the steps you'll take to achieve your goals. This may include hiring a business broker or corporate finance house, setting a timeline for the exit, and identifying potential buyers or successors.


5. Implement the plan
   The next step is to put your plan into action. This may involve making changes to the business to increase its value, negotiating with potential buyers or successors, and preparing the business for the transition. For smaller businesses especially, it may be advisable to phase out any operational activities that are carried out directly by the owner before the sale process begins.


6. Monitor the progress
   After the plan is implemented, it's important to monitor the progress and make adjustments as needed. This may include re-evaluating the strategy, addressing any unforeseen challenges, and ensuring that the business is prepared for the transition

To arrange a free introductory call or meeting, just complete the form below and we will be in touch soon.