Selling a Business Advice
Selling an Investment Advisory Services Business
No one said selling your business in a depressed economy would be easy. Fortunately, a investment advisory services business sale isn't as scary as it seems.
You need to get a good price for your investment advisory services business. To get there, you'll need to set realistic expectations and follow a deliberate selling strategy.
Many business owners don't know that investment advisory services businesses are still a hot commodity, to the extent that sellers have properly prepared them for the marketplace.
Are You the Right Person to Sell Your Business?
An unassisted business sale is a double-edged sword. Without a doubt, you have the most at stake in the outcome of your sale. That makes you the most passionate advocate for your investment advisory services business in the business-for-sale marketplace. However, your close connection to your company can also be a drawback. Nearly all sellers have an inflated sense of their company's value. At a minimum, conduct an independent appraisal of the investment advisory services business to gain an objective sense of fair market value.
Finding Prospects
Whether you know it or not, prospective buyers for your investment advisory services business are all around you. In fact, there is a good chance you already know several individuals or companies that might be interested in buying your business for a decent price. We frequently see qualified buyers emerge from the seller's network of business and personal acquaintances. In other cases, sellers take a proactive approach to finding likely buyers and contacting them directly. If possible, steer clear of selling to a competitor if for no other reason than the fact that competitors pay less for investment advisory services businesses than other buyers.
When to End Negotiations
Negotiations have a way of dragging on forever. But sooner or later, someone needs to bring negotiations to a close. Unfortunately, that responsibility often falls on the seller. In an investment advisory services business sale, a stalled negotiation can be an indication that the deal is dead. At this point in the process, an awareness of negotiation parameters really pays off. If the buyer is unwilling to accept your minimum demands, it's time to end negotiations and move on to the next prospect.
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