Business Exit Planning
Selling a Mailing Services Business
Nervous about selling your mailing services business? You shouldn't be. Our tips will help you get the highest price for your mailing services business, regardless of what's happening with the economy.
Dire economic forecasts have forced many mailing services business sellers into hibernation. Instead of listing their companies now, they're hanging back until they see signs of an economic recovery.
The economy hasn't squashed the market for mailing services businesses. And the ones that are commanding the highest price tags are the ones with sellers who are committed to the sale process.
Economic Considerations
When you sell a mailing services business, there are a number of variables you need to consider. Interest rates, spending, inflation, and other variables directly influence how long your mailing services business will be on the market as well as its sales price. If you base the decision to sell your mailing services business solely on the market, you may be in for a long wait. Rather than watching the economy, we recommend watching buyers and tailoring your business to meet their investment expectations. When it comes to selling a mailing services business, successful sales sales often boil down to the business itself - not the economy.
Why Confidentiality Matters
Confidentiality determines risk in the business-for-sale marketplace. A low-key selling strategy is a low risk activity because you can control who does (and doesn't) know that your business is on the market. But if word leaks out to the wrong people, your competitors can use that information to steal business and damage your credibility. Although it can be difficult, it's important to strike a balance between confidentiality and sale promotion. Brokers and consultants can mitigate the risk by implementing confidential sale techniques.
Working with Appraisers
There is no substitute for a qualified appraisal in the sale of your mailing services business. By hiring an appraiser to conduct a thorough appraisal of tangible and non-tangible assets prior to listing, you get a measure of the true worth of your business. Although the appraised value of your business may not be the same as the sales price, you gain valuable insight that can be used to your advantage during negotiations. Even though you may disagree with the appraiser's value estimates, it's important to give your appraiser the information and independence he needs to present an objective opinion. To ensure accuracy, ask your broker to provide references for appraisers with industry experience.
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