Niche Exit Planning Tactics

Selling a Window Shades Equipment and Supplies Business

No one said selling your business in a depressed economy would be easy. Fortunately, a window shades equipment and supplies business sale isn't as scary as it seems.

Waiting for better economic times to sell your company? That's a common anthem in the small business community.

Success is a factor of preparation, execution and a keen eye for the market. Since your future goals depend on the outcome of your sale, you'll need to have your head in the game from Day One.

Why Confidentiality Matters

Highly publicized window shades equipment and supplies business sales are risky window shades equipment and supplies businesssales. A low-key selling strategy is a low risk activity because you can control who does (and doesn't) know that your business is on the market. But if word leaks out to the wrong people, your competitors can use that information to steal business and damage your credibility. Although it can be difficult, it's important to strike a balance between confidentiality and sale promotion. Brokers and consultants can mitigate the risk by implementing confidential sale techniques.

Working with a Professional Accountant

Accountants lay the financial groundwork for a business sale. From a seller perspective, an accountant can offer personal financial assistance, especially when it comes to handling the disposition of sale proceeds. Brokers often advise their clients to have an accountant perform an audit of the business prior to sale. With seller financing becoming common, professional accountants are playing a more central role in negotiations and buyer qualification.

Sale Preparation Timeframes

There are no effective shortcuts for selling a window shades equipment and supplies business. Since buyers prefer to see evidence of future cash flow, you'll want to to strategically lock in cash flows and increase profits before you list the business. Next, the business will need to be documented in professional financial statements and manuals that facilitate the ownership transition. Since all of this takes time and effort, a window shades equipment and supplies business can rarely be ready for the marketplace in less than six months. A more likely scenario is that it will take more than a year to create the conditions necessary to receive the maximum sale price.

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