PLAN YOUR EXIT
Edison Business Advisors assists business owners who want to sell but have not achieved a valuation or system that maximizes the business's value. We help you create a plan to protect your most valuable asset, grow it to a value that supports your post-exit needs, and evaluate and select the best exit method to match your exit terms.
EXIT PLANNING
Many people think exit planning is an exercise a business owner goes through when it is time to sell the business. In fact, it is actually a philosophy or mentality about how to operate the business at all times. Exit planning is a process that prepares the business and everyone affected by it to always be ready for the unexpected. It is essentially a protection plan for contingencies such as the owner getting hit by the proverbial bus or other events like an unsolicited offer to purchase the business, divorce, disagreements among shareholders, disgruntled employees, disease, death, disability, litigation, etc..
Exit planning is also the process of reducing risk and improving the attractiveness of the business. Risk factors may be internal or external. An internal risk may be having a concentration of sales in one or a few customers or relying on one or a few suppliers when the supply chain can be vulnerable. An external risk may be something beyond our control, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, by having the right systems, policies, people, and procedures in place, along with a rainy-day fund, the effects of most events can be mitigated.
The exit planning process begins with an assessment of the current situation to identify risk factors and opportunity areas. An appraisal of the business value serves as a starting point and provides a baseline of fair market value. The valuation process uncovers many opportunities by comparing the subject business to others within the same industry. It includes a comparison of financial indicators that suggest whether the business is operating above or below industry standards. It may also uncover market opportunities that may have been overlooked.
Once the risk factors and opportunity areas have been identified, a game plan is developed to address each area. Focus is typically placed on those items that require the least amount of effort and/or resources to affect the greatest amount of change. Some of these items may include improving the use of assets, improving collections or credit terms, and improving purchasing or delivery expenses.
Internal systems, policies, and/or procedures that reduce risk include having a detailed operations manual, cross-training employees, checks and balances on inventory control, and cash disbursements. A comprehensive partnership agreement or cross-purchase agreement should carefully explain what happens within the business if something should happen to one of the owners. If there are one or more key employees, incentives and/or backup plans should be in place just in case the employee(s) are not available.
The chart above illustrates the exit planning process.
The exit planning process should be completed as soon as possible for any business. The process can be relatively short, less than one year, or it may require several years if a management team needs to be put in place or there is a large gap between where the business is today and the ideal business profile. The key is to always be prepared. That way, the owner will know if an offer is worth entertaining and is always protected against the unexpected. The process also allows the owner to work more on the business and less in the business; freeing up time to enjoy non-business activities.
In most cases, exit planning requires a team of professionals that includes an accountant, banker, financial planner, insurance agent, attorney, estate planner, and the exit planner that acts as the quarterback for the team to ensure the owner’s plan is implemented and to keep the plan on track. When it is time to sell, an experienced business broker or M&A expert should be employed to make sure the business is presented properly and to protect the owner’s interests through the transaction.
Here are some facts to help emphasize how important exit planning is:
- 78 million baby boomers – 10,000 turns 65 each day
- 84% of small businesses are owned by baby boomers
- 50% of business owners plan to exit within 10 years
- 10-12 million businesses = $10 Trillion in value transition
- 75% do NOT have an exit plan
- 30% think the family will keep the business running
- Only 30% survive the next generation
- Supply/Demand – early sellers have a better chance of selling
Early planning is the key to making sure the business owner exits on their terms and not someone else’s. Being prepared for any contingency is the only way to protect the value of the business and to make sure that value is converted into personal wealth.
If you would like to learn more about the exit planning process, please contact us for a complimentary, confidential consultation.
