Now may be the best time to sell a business after years of building a small business leading you to think about cashing out or retiring. Most Canadian entities tend to sell on average nearly 2-3 times their respective cash flow per annum and about 90 percent of their asking price. Many higher-quality business enterprises in Canada are hitting the market because sellers tend to notice the success of the other businesses in the arena.
Entrepreneurs need to prepare their businesses in selling several years before closing a deal. This will help them slowly wean from the daily responsibilities. However, there are truths surfacing again and again since deals are made between sellers and buyers.
Here are some of the considerations posted by some websites on selling a business that every entrepreneur should take into account.
- Clear objectives in selling a business – A lot of sellers tend to commit mistake in undermining their personal reasons why they sell their business. When the market is at its peak, this is the ideal time for the sale. Waiting for the perfect time, which never really comes, may only lose sight of the real goal.
- Enlisting advisors’ help – A broker may spend time vetting for prospective buyers to ensure the confidentiality of the process and to answer question to prioritize money making. Enlisting the help from an accountant in preparing the financial paperwork and an attorney to review contracts, deals and offers are imperative.
- Organization of financials –Diligent buyers prefer to purchase a business that can bring them at least five years profit and loss statements, tax returns, customer data, vendor and supplier contracts, leases, tax returns and bank statements. Just make certain that the paperwork looks organized, clear and clean, making it a representative of well-managed business so as not to mislead the buyer.
- Transfer of assets to be sold – Start asset transfer into your own name once you want to learn when not be sold with the enterprise. This only provides the buyer clearer picture of the potential cash flow.
- Justification of the price –Sellers seems to forget that their firm’s value to other entrepreneurs. Oftentimes, businesses are priced as multiple of their cash flow or revenue. Remember that an expert buyer may not provide care on cash flow only.
- Working out for your own business – A buyer may have than the tendency to believe the possible growth of the company to fade if it seems to rely on a few fundamental staff or you.
- Knowledge of buyers on the employees they would want to keep – It is noted that several Canadian businesses are profitable, employ family members and well operated. It is observed that a buyer quickly evaluate the abilities and inabilities of a team. Employers who are unable to manage a post-closing transition period and grow the business will be regarded a drag on enterprise.
Make these reasons and things that you, as an entrepreneur, should learn before selling your business in Canada.
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/05/how-to-sell-your-small-business.html