Business Exits By Industry

Selling a College and University Placement Services Business

The decision to sell your college and university placement services business isn't something that should be taken lightly, especially these days. If a business exit is on the horizon, you'll want to check out our suggestions for staying ahead of the market.

Like it or not, a college and university placement services business sale is a complicated affair, made even more difficult by the emotions associated with leaving a business you've poured your life into. In our experience, a common owner concern is how the sale will affect customers and employees.

Yet what many sellers don't appreciate is that a down economy can present the perfect opportunity to sell a college and university placement services business.

Understanding Market Timing

Now may be the best time to sell a college and university placement services business. With interest rates at all-time lows, it's easy to see why college and university placement services businesses are an appealing investment opportunity for savvy investors. As the interest rates rise, it will be more difficult for buyers to make the numbers work in their favor. So we see market timing as a concern that can be easily mitigated by applying fundamental sales strategies and adequately preparing your company for buyers.

Selling a College & University Placement Services Business to an Employee

There are both benefits and drawbacks to selling a college and university placement services business to an employee. A faithful employee may have the motivation and ability to continue to operate the business. If you need to sell quickly, the timeframe is condensed in an employee sale because you don't need to track down a buyer. Yet most employees lack the means to buy their employer's business at or near the asking price. A seller-financed deal may be necessary unless the employee has significant assets or investor backing.

Leveraging Industry Connections

Today's college and university placement services business buyers can be found in a variety of locations. Online business-for-sale databases have value, although they appeal to an exceptionally wide base of prospects. For more targeted lead generation, consider tapping into your network of industry contacts. When leveraging industry relationships for sales prospects, you'll need to be cognizant of the potential for competitors to use knowledge of your sale against you in the marketplace. Use good sense in restricting the flow of information within the industry and focusing your efforts toward trusted industry allies.

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