Step-by-Step Guide for Approaching Prospective Business Sales

Prospective buyers with business sales have to be careful about how they approach these propositions. There will be a number of advantages to acquiring an existing entity, but purchasing the wrong business at the wrong time can be crippling to future financial prospects. We will take the time to offer a step-by-step guide for people that want to protect their position and secure the right investment.

Arriving With Knowledge About the Business & the Industry

Those interested parties who are circling around business sales should have information and data at their disposal about the type of entity they could be purchasing and what is involved with the larger industry. Is this a well known commercial operation? Does it have history in the community? What does the competition look like? Have there been impositions by government authorities or regulators that have made life easier or more challenging? What are the motivations to sell and at this particular juncture? Seeking out background information is imperative in this context.

Long-Term Planning Parameters

The main driving force behind those parties wanting to approach business sales is to know that they have a long-term plan in place. This might be to incorporate an enterprise into a wider franchise model. It might be to use it as a tax write-off. Perhaps it will evolve into providing different products or services, or simply to have something that siblings might be able to inherit. A moment of reflection to know why the client is pursuing this opportunity is needed prior to signing onto any agreement.

Gauging Buyer Interest Levels

Those participants that are looking to sell an existing business entity will be hoping that a hyper-bidding war breaks out. The more individuals and groups that want to make an acquisition, the more leverage they have to raise the asking price. Yet this concept works two ways as a lack of interest might be reflective of a soft market and a business that perhaps struggles to achieve any recognition from outside buyers. Assess who else may be involved and if there is an increase in the bidding process.

Assistance to Read Over Contract Terms

A contract for sale is a document that cannot be signed in quick time. There will be a number of stipulations and provisions that are involved in this setting when it comes to finalising business sales. It is one of the key reasons why constituents will often reach out to an agent or a lawyer to help them look over those terms, identifying if they are in the interests of the client for the short and long-term. If that guidance is available, it is strongly advised that they are used for peace of mind and clarity.

Reviewing Business Financials

The financial state of a company must be front and centre for clients proceeding with business sales. The cash flow statement, balance sheet, profit and loss statement and any other key documentation that tracks revenue, costs, debts, assets and liabilities has to be examined in close detail. It will be the most revealing part of the approach and will often shape if parties want to proceed to the next phase or walk away entirely.

Establishing Timelines & Deadlines

A commodity that is often overlooked with business sales will be time. How much is available, how much patience is involved with both sides and what are the expectations moving forward? By having an open line of communication and dialogue with the seller, it will be possible to outline a timeline of events and to set firm deadlines for a deal to be struck. This will remove any hesitation or doubt with business sales that neither side wants to confront along the journey.