Advice on Niche Market Exit Planning

Selling a Trailer Transport Business

Think trailer transport business sales have dwindled to a standstill? Think again. Although final sales prices vary, the best sales combine strategy and hard work to achieve desired outcomes.

You survived all the ups and downs of owning a business. Next, you'll need to prepare yourself to address the rigors of selling a trailer transport business.

The economy hasn't squashed the market for trailer transport businesses. Not surprisingly, buyers expect to receive value for their dollars - and that means sellers need to demonstrate that their businesses are capable of delivering anticipated returns.

Preparing for What's Next

The decision to sell your trailer transport business can't be made without adequate consideration of what will happen after the sale. many sellers find themselves ill-equipped to handle life after their business and fail to understand that their future plans can influence the sale process. For example, seller financing can be an extremely valuable concession, especially in the current economy. But if you need all of the proceeds of the sale upfront, seller financing is off the table and you'll need to find a different way to make your trailer transport business attractive to buyers.

Team-Based Negotiation Strategies

It's not unusual for trailer transport business sellers to feel overwhelmed when they negotiate the sale of their business. Negotiation is a chess game, best played with the resources and backend support of a negotiation team. By enlisting the assistance of a negotiation team (senior leaders, experienced negotiators, etc.), you can improve the quality of your negotiation strategy and position yourself to receive top dollar for your trailer transport business.

Post-Sale Details

As your trailer transport businesssale nears completion, there is a lot of work remaining to be done. There are several details that still need to be addressed. What will the ownership transition look like? Are you prepared to deal with the tax consequences of receiving a significant sum of money in exchange for your business? How will you prepare your employees for your inevitable exit from the business? If there are pending details that still need to ironed out, address them ASAP to ensure a smooth closing and transition.

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