The process of buying or selling a business requires dedication and the attention
of a professional with the knowledge of the complete flow of a business transaction,
as well as a team in place to accomplish every aspect of the transfer. Marketing
and facilitating a business transfer is a full-time job! You deserve someone
who will work as hard as you do. A qualified broker will save business owners
and prospective buyers money by helping them avoid costly mistakes, effectively
marketing the appeal of the business, and maximizing exposure to serious, qualified
buyers--all with complete confidentiality.
If you are interested in selling your business and don't know the answer to
any of the questions below, you could benefit from the assistance of a professional
business broker.
How do you reach qualified buyers, including
possibly competitors, without disclosing your intentions to sell?
How do you evaluate your business objectively
to ensure you receive top dollar for your investment and avoid costly negotiating
tactics?
How do you prepare and provide the information
a prospective buyer will require to interest him in pursuing your business
in favor of other options?
How do you arrive at the best price and
terms, including the intangible and goodwill values of your business?
How do you maximize your favorable exposure
to potential offers while minimizing your potentially damaging public exposure
to customers, competitors, employees, and suppliers?
How do you market your business in all
of the appropriate markets, databases, and media efficiently, effectively
and confidentially?
How do you screen and pre-qualify buyers,
determine their motivations, managerial capabilities, and financial strength?
How do you effectively sell your business,
diverting significant time, effort and resources to that process, while
continuing to manage your ongoing business productively?
Public knowledge of a potential business sale can affect the attitudes and actions
of customers, employees, competitors, lenders, suppliers, or investors, and
thus the value of the company. It's also important to safeguard the employment
status of a potential Buyer to protect his interest as he considers a very important
change for the future.
Transactions handled by the AT Business Group are held with the strictest confidentiality.
We require all prospective buyers to be interviewed, complete a buyer profile
& qualification form, and sign non-disclosure & confidentiality agreements
before we release any detailed information on the seller's business.
It can take anywhere from 3-9 months to sell a business. The factors that affect
this are as follows: financial performance, business sale price, seller financing,
financial deal structure & terms, type of business, and market conditions.
Priced at an excessively high multiple
above comparable businesses.
Earnings won't support the asking price
- there must be sufficient earnings to support the debt service for the
acquisition as well as a typical buyers income needs.
Revenue or earnings on a downward trend
- distressed business can be sold but generally at a discount.
Poor books & records - earnings or
revenue cannot be proven or do not match bank statements or tax returns.
Cash - sellers insisting on cash for a
business that cannot qualify for an SBA loan for the acquisition are at
a severe disadvantage.
Highly specialized industry - typically
these have a very small pool of qualified buyers.
Unattractive Industry - some industries
are considered unattractive by buyers due to concerns over risks from competition,
sensitivity to the economy, or foreign competition.
Unmotivated seller/owner - selling a business
requires a great deal of commitment on the part of the owner; ambivalent,
uncommitted, or uncooperative owners are rarely successful in selling their
business.
The fees and expenses of the AT Business Group are specific to the services
required for the engagement and the size of the business. We are available to
speak with you by phone or in-person to determine the level of service required
to accomplish your goals and objectives.
A company's value depends on many factors such as cash flow, asset values, financial
history, condition of equipment and premises, favorable lease terms, competition,
location, and the economy. By analyzing your business and comparable sales in
your industry, we can advise you on the proper pricing strategy for your business.
For larger businesses we recommend a third party valuation. Buyers are much
more likely to pay top dollar for a business when documented evidence supports
the asking price. Most financial institutions insist on a business valuation
before they will consider financing.
Request a Business Sale Consultation!
Let us show you how we can market and sell your business with confidentiality
by presenting you with our Business Sale
& Marketing Plan in our first meeting.
