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Exit Planning Insights
Expect M&A to Recover in 2024
December 19, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Al Statz
Global M&A deal value nearly reached a 10-year low in Q3 2023 (Q2 2020 excepted). Deal count and total deal values both declined, as shown in this graph produced by Pitchbook. And these declines were evident across almost all most industry sectors and among all types of acquirers and sellers. However, several factors are pointing to a recovery in M&A activity in 2024. The global total of $1.4 trillion in unspent PE dry powder is …
North American M&A Activity
December 15, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Ignacio Ochoa
As business owners continue to toggle with the idea of selling their business, they often ask us, when is the perfect time to sell? Are current market conditions going to give me the return I am looking for? The graphic above shows M&A activity over the past decade. As you can see, the amount of deals performed each year have remained flat for most of this time period. Instead of attempting to time the market …
M&A Glossary: Multiple
December 15, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Exit Strategies
A multiple is a way to measure how much a company is worth. If a company has $2 million in EBITDA and it sells for $10 million, we say it sold at a “5 multiple.” Multiples are used as a valuation tool by analyzing the multiple similar companies obtained in a sale. For example, if a similar business sold in your industry for 6x EBITDA, valuation analysts will use that as an indicator in predicting …
How to avoid being surprised by your business valuation
December 11, 2023 / in Business Valuation, Exit Planning / by Exit Strategies
A significant number of business owners do not know how much their business is worth. That can be a source of conflict in the face of unfortunate events such as a divorce or a partnership separation. But it can be even more painful when the business owner plans to retire, only to find out the business isn’t worth as much as they expected. These owners may have harbored lofty expectations based on personal attachment, …
Address Culture Conflict Before a Sale
October 26, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Exit Strategies
As an owner, one way to maximize value in your business is to demonstrate that you’re not the smartest person in the room. In an ideal state, you work yourself out of a job, moving on to an advisory role while your management team runs day-to-day operations. With that said, it’s equally important that your goals and values are in sync with your managers’. When selling a business, you want to show buyers a positive …
Selling Your Business to an Existing ESOP is a Win-Win
October 5, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Adam Wiskind
While selling your business to a newly formed Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is an intriguing and rewarding exit path, forming an ESOP can be complex and expensive, and is not appropriate for all businesses. But, what if you could sell your business to an existing ESOP company, allowing you to secure your financial future, secure the future success and legacy of your company, and benefit your employees? This is a real possibility for many …
Top 8 Reasons why Buyers Walk Away from an Acquisition
September 19, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Exit Strategies
Deciding to pursue a merger or acquisition can be a complicated process fraught with risk. Even when the financials look good and the potential rewards seem great, there are several reasons why a buyer might decide to walk away from a deal. Understanding these reasons can help sellers prepare for negotiations and improve the likelihood of a successful outcome. Here are eight common reasons why M&A buyers might decide not to proceed with a deal: …
20 Exit Planning Questions that Every Business Owner Should Ask Themselves
July 17, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Al Statz
Eventually every business owner will retire and hand over the keys, and in my experience, the farther ahead owners plan for their exit the happier they’ll be with their exit. While there are many things to consider when planning an exit, particularly for owner-operators of businesses, here is a list of twenty questions that business owners should be able to answer with clarity and confidence. Twenty Questions that Every Business Owner Should Ask When do …
M&A Glossary: Virtual Deal Room
June 29, 2023 / in Exit Planning / by Exit Strategies
A deal room is a secure, virtual space where buyers and sellers can share and exchange confidential information related to a potential transaction. Information is typically stored and accessed through a secure online platform that allows users to view, download, and upload documents and other information as needed. The use of a deal room is essential in M&A transactions because it allows buyers to perform their due diligence in a secure and confidential manner. …
Questions to ask when hiring an M&A advisor
June 29, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Exit Strategies
When it comes time to sell your company, the right M&A firm or investment bank can make all the difference. From preparing a stellar offering memorandum, to running a well-organized process, to generating multiple offers, to negotiating the best possible deal for you, your advisor needs to bring the right mix of transactional skill, processes, resources, and chemistry to the table. This article presents several questions that you should be asking as you search for …