4 Things to Do Before You Sell Your Business Sales of small businesses rose in 2012 and are expected to increase in the new year. Here's what you should do to prepare to sell.
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Sales of small businesses rose in 2012, and business brokers expect more sales next year, according to recent survey data released by online business marketplace BizBuySell. The increased number of sales this year has reportedly been driven by concerns over the looming fiscal cliff and the cost implications of a returning Obama administration.
The bad news? It typically takes six to nine months to sell a business, so if yours isn't already on the market, there is little chance it will sell before the end of the year.
The ideal time to start preparing to sell is two years before the date you hope to sell by, says Curtis Kroeker, general manager of BizBuySell. The more advance preparation, the better. Even if you don't plan that far ahead, there are several steps you should take before putting your business on the market.
Related: 3 Questions to Ask Potential Acquirers
1. Get your house in order. "The most important thing to do is to make sure your business is performing as well as it can," Kroeker says. Now is the time to assess your cash flow, your expenditures, your tax strategy and other elements of your operation to see whether they are optimal.
2. Consider the timing. It's always easier to sell a business when it's on the upswing. For this reason, owners of seasonal businesses should look to sell soon after their busy season begins, Kroeker says. Plan ahead and you won't find yourself desperate to sell during a slump.
3. Consult with experts. There's no shame in seeking expert assistance. If structuring the sale in a tax-friendly manner, setting a price or other parts of the process are too much for you, consult your accountant and consider getting a business broker to handle the sale. That way you can focus on doing what you do best: running your business.
4. Show buyers a bright future. "When a buyer buys a business, primarily the focus is going to be on the proven track record," Kroeker says, "but there is also the future potential [to consider]." He recommends putting together a growth strategy to show potential buyers. One of your greatest assets as a small-business owner is your intimate knowledge of your own operation; use that to point out opportunities for the new owner to expand the business. The few days' work it requires may pay dividends in a sale.
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