UHY Haines Norton’s Business Valuations specialist Kerry Tizard provides some advice for getting your business ready for sale.

Before putting your business up for sale, ensure that your business is sale ready. Having your business sale ready will increase your changes of achieving an outcome that meets your objectives and ensures that you achieve a good return on your investment. With more and more businesses coming on market, being sale ready is more important than ever.

What Can You Do To Make Sure Your Business Is Sale Ready?

Businesses that are well-managed and profitable will always be sought after.

To ensure that your business is ‘sale ready’, check that the following is in order:

  • Business documentation is in order
  • Processes clearly documented
  • Systems are capable of providing quality information
  • Technology and software is current and in good working order
  • Staff employment agreements are current
  • WIP and debtor recovery is strong
  • Financial performance is strong and has an improving trend
  • Budget to actual performance is documented and actively managed
  • Arrangements with business partners, service providers (etc) are documented and up-to-date
  • Your business plan is well-documented and being implemented

One of the key considerations when assessing the readiness of your business for sale is the business’ level of principal reliance. If your business is principal reliant it may be difficult to find someone willing to take over your business.

You will need to reduce the dependence of your business on the principal and any other key staff who will be leaving the business at the time of sale.

In order to rectify this situation, it is important to start planning for the sale of your business years in advance. You may decide that an internal transition of ownership is your best exit option. Do you have a future successor in your business? A key staff member is often the best person to consider as a possible successor as you can start transitioning client management and other responsibilities a lot earlier than if you were selling to an external successor.

Another key consideration is ensuring you have strong relationships with your clients, suppliers and business partners. This will lower the risks in your business and make it more attractive to a future purchaser.

Key Value Drivers

There are numerous key value drivers you should focus on to optimise the value of your business and ensure that you get the most money for your business when it comes time to sell. In addition to the value drivers already discussed, some of the other key value drivers are:

  • Loyal customers
  • Innovative and different
  • Benchmarking performance
  • Good systems
  • Loyal and committed staff
  • Growth and succession planning

Steps In Planning For Sale

The following is a guide as to what you need to do before putting your business on the market or approaching potential successors.

  • Prepare a Selling Memorandum – includes unique selling points
  • Prepare a Register for Sale – documentation to be given to potential buyers
  • Obtain a business valuation
  • Discuss your proposed sale with your professional advisers
  • Obtain tax advice prior to sale
  • Determine the purchase price

UHY Haines Norton Director Kerry Tizard develops valuations for all types of businesses and works with clients to help optimise their business profitability. For all enquiries regarding Business Valuations, contact Kerry on (09) 839-0300 or email kerryt@uhyhn.co.nz.