Exit Planning Tips
Selling a Historical Research and Consulting Business
Business-for-sale markets are susceptible to a variety of influences. As you know, the historical research and consulting business industry has seen more than its share of fluctuations in business values. Sellers have adapted their strategies to accommodate changing market realities, incorporating a handful of proven techniques for selling a historical research and consulting business whem market conditions threaten a successful business sale.
You've invested too much in your historical research and consulting business to let it be sold for less than its worth. But unless you adequately prepare for the sale, some lucky buyer may walk away with a huge discount.
In today's market, there is still plenty of room for historical research and consulting businesses that demonstrate solid earning capacity and a robust market position.
Preparing Your Historical Research & Consulting Business for Sale
First-time business sellers sometimes don't realize that the success or failure of their sale is determined before it hits the market. Profitable historical research and consulting business listings are the culmination of a preparation process that began months or even years ahead of time. Everything you do to increase market share and profitability has a payoff in the final sale price of your historical research and consulting business. But your efforts to improve your company's position and profitability will only be effective if you invest similar effort into the preparation of accurate financial statements for buyers.
Selling a Historical Research & Consulting Business to an Employee
There are both benefits and drawbacks to selling a historical research and consulting business to an employee. A faithful employee may have the motivation and ability to continue to operate the business. If you need to sell quickly, the timeframe is condensed in an employee sale because you don't need to track down a buyer. However, some employees feel they are entitled to special treatment and pricing, especially if they have played a key role in the company's success. Seller financing is one way to get around the capital deficit of an employee-based historical research and consulting business sale, as long as you are willing to vet the employee's credit worthiness the same as any other buyer.
Working with Accountants
Professional accountants lend credibility to the financial preparation of a historical research and consulting business sale. From a seller perspective, an accountant can offer personal financial assistance, especially when it comes to handling the disposition of sale proceeds. You may also want your accountant to assist in the preparation of professional financials to present to serious buyers. With seller financing becoming common, professional accountants are playing a more central role in negotiations and buyer qualification.
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