Selling a Business

There was a study done, years ago, that showed that the reason businesses were for sale had a direct relationship to its probability of sale. Reason for Sale %Reason for Sale %Probability of Sale Retirement 10-15% 30-35% Health Problems/Death 15-20% 25-30% Partnership & Family Problems/ Divorce 5-10% 15-20% Burnout/Other Business Investments 15-20% 15-20% Under-capitalization 20-25% 10-15% Insufficient Profits 20-25% 5-10% Profit Motivated Only 5-10% 0-5% The above results point out the more...

Prepare for new management. As soon as you make the decision to sell, begin doing what you can to help the business run "on its own." The business should not, especially now, be just you! Accept the financing facts. You'll likely be financing the sale of...

If you're considering selling your business, and you are employing a professional business broker or intermediary, it's imperative to be absolutely open with him or her. This is not the time for secrecy -- or even for subtlety, especially when it comes to problems. If...

1. Not knowing what the business should sell for One of the most costly errors a business owner can make is not knowing the approximate price of his or her business prior to entering the selling process. Although the marketplace ultimately determines the final price, an...