For additional information about the advisory process, please see our frequently asked business advisory questions below.
The sooner the better. The ideal time to develop an Exit Strategy for your business is when you start or purchase a business. However, industry statistics indicate that 85% of all business owners do not have a defined exit strategy although, on average 75% of their net worth is tied up in their business.
The company’s financial records and operations must be evaluated and analyzed to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the company. Proper planning will help you address and hopefully minimize any operational or financial weaknesses of the company before launching the marketing phase of the disposition process.
The market price range of your company is estimated after consulting with all of your team members (accountant, valuation expert, M&A specialist) and evaluating all of your goals and objectives. Timing considerations, proposed transaction structure, industry conditions and lending market conditions are all key elements to consider in estimating the market price range for your company.
Confidentiality in dealing with internal personnel and external sources is h3ly encouraged and is critical to achieve a successful transaction. For the Seller’s protection, The Vant Group requires a Buyer’s Confidentiality Agreement to be signed by the potential buyer before the release of the Business Memorandum.
Very possibly. The Vant Group’s extensive buyer database includes over 2000 high net worth individuals, corporations, and private equity groups. The Vant Group will also perform a customized marketing plan to target qualified buyers for your company.
One of The Vant Group’s principals will serve as your primary contact and will “guide” you through the entire business transfer process. Personalized 24/7 service is the trademark of The Vant Group.
The fees and expenses of The Vant Group are specific to the services required for the engagement and the size of the business. We are available, at your convenience, to speak with you by phone or we offer a complimentary in-person consultation to determine the level of service required to accomplish your goals and objectives.
It has been our experience, that to serve our clients effectively, a team approach is best. We recommend that we are your exclusive Merger & Acquisition advisor. We will work in concert with your attorney, CPA, and other key advisors.
The Vant Group typically represents business owners in the South Central United States; however, we market and sell to regional, national, and international buyers.
Business Brokers are the professionals who will facilitate the successful sale of your business. As your Business Broker, we can help you decide how to price your business and how to structure the sale so it makes sense for everyone – you and the buyer. We can find the right buyer for your business, work with you and the buyer in negotiating, and every step of the way until the transaction is successfully closed. We will also help the buyer with all the details of the business buying process.
A Business Intermediary is not, however, a magician who can sell an overpriced business. Most businesses are saleable if priced and structured properly. You should understand that only the marketplace can determine what a business will sell for. The amount of the down payment you are willing to accept along with the terms of the seller financing can greatly influence not only the ultimate selling price, but the success of the sale itself.
It generally takes, on average, between six to nine months to sell most businesses. Keep in mind that an average is just that. Some businesses will take longer to sell, while others will sell in a shorter period of time. The sooner we have all the information needed to begin the marketing process, the shorter the time period should be. It is also important that the business be priced properly right from the start. Some sellers, operating under the premise that they can always come down in price, overprice their business. This theory often “backfires,” because buyers often will refuse to look at an overpriced business.
Surveys have shown that a seller who asks for all cash, receives on average only 70 percent of their asking price, while sellers who accept terms receive on average 86 percent of their asking price. That’s a difference of 16 percent! In many cases, businesses that are listed for all cash just don’t sell. With reasonable terms, however, the chances of selling increase dramatically and the time period from listing to sale greatly decreases. Most sellers are unaware of how much interest they can receive by financing the sale of their business. In some cases it can greatly increase the amount received. And again, it tells the buyer that the seller has enough confidence that the business can, indeed, pay for itself.
When a buyer is sufficiently interested in your business, we will help in the preparation of an offer or proposal. This offer or proposal may have one or more contingencies. Usually, they concern a detailed review of your financial records and may also include a review of your lease arrangements, franchise agreement (if there is one) or other pertinent details of the business. The buyer’s proposal will be presented to you for your consideration. You may accept the terms of the offer or you may make a counter-proposal. You should understand, however, that if you do not accept the buyer’s proposal, the buyer can withdraw it at any time.
We will submit all offers to you for your consideration. At first review, you may not be pleased with a particular offer; however, it is important to look at it carefully. It may be lacking in some areas, but it might also have some pluses to seriously consider. There is an old adage that says, “The first offer is generally the best one the seller will receive.” This does not mean that you should accept the first, or any offer – just that all offers should be looked at carefully.
When you and the buyer are in agreement, we will work with both of you to satisfy and remove the contingencies in the offer. It is important that you cooperate fully in this process. You don’t want the buyer to think that you are hiding anything. The buyer may, at this point, bring in outside advisors to help them review the information. When all the conditions have been met, final papers will be drawn and signed. Once the closing has been completed, money will be distributed and the new owner will take possession of the business. As you Business Intermediary professional, we will work with you throughout the entire sales process.
You can cooperate fully with us and any other professionals that you are using. A buyer will want up-to-date financial information. If you use accountants, you can work with them on making current information available. If you are using an attorney, make sure they are familiar with the business closing process and the laws of your particular state. You might also ask if their schedule will allow them to participate in the closing on very short notice. If you and the buyer want to close the sale quickly, usually within a few weeks, unless there is an alcohol or other license involved that might delay things, you don’t want to wait until the attorney can make the time to prepare the documents or attend the closing. Time is of the essence in any business sale transaction. The failure to close on schedule permits the buyer to reconsider or make changes in the original proposal.
And, finally, your team of advisors must all be working towards the common goal of selling your business for the best price and terms available in the marketplace, and closing the sale as quickly as possible! Remember that, as your professional Business Intermediary we are on your side. Only by being as cooperative as possible with us can we best handle you business interests.