Business Exit Planning
Selling a Motion Picture Film Archives Business
With the economy limping along, many motion picture film archives business owners are hesitant to put their businesses on the market. But in reality, now may be the perfect time to sell a motion picture film archives business.
The motion picture film archives business-for-sale marketplace is a nuanced environment, full of pitfalls for sellers who aren't prepared for its demands.
There is no simple way to sell a business. But the most prepared motion picture film archives business sellers are achieving fair market value and more for their companies through persistence and the application of sound selling techniques.
Negotiation 101
As a business seller, you have to be at the top of your negotiating game. More often than not, the person with the most knowledge will come out on top in a motion picture film archives business negotiation. However, the first step in good negotiating is to develop a sense of what you need to get out of the deal. A thorough understanding of sale price, possible concessions and other bottom line requirements gives you the ability to negotiate with confidence. If you aren't sure what you need, put negotiations on hold until you gain a clearer understanding of your own deal parameters.
Realistic Expectations
For most owners, the hardest part of selling a motion picture film archives business is remaining objective. Sellers typically overvalue their companies compared to the rest of the marketplace. It is difficult for many owners to accept the cold, hard facts about their company's worth, but objectivity is the name of the game in a successful motion picture film archives business sale. Many sellers create a negotiation team to minimize the effect of their personal emotions on negotiations. More importantly, this team can perform a reality check on your expectations for the sale.
Working with Accountants
Accountants come into play at several stages of the sale process. From a seller perspective, an accountant can offer personal financial assistance, especially when it comes to handling the disposition of sale proceeds. Brokers often advise their clients to have an accountant perform an audit of the business prior to sale. In certain instances, it may be appropriate to ask your accountant to vet the financials of prospective buyers, run credit checks or even structure the terms of a seller-financed deal.
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