Timing can be critical to successfully selling a business. Raising questions about time and understanding timing issues early in the sale process is key to developing a successful sale strategy.
- Is it the right time for the business owners to sell?
- Why do they want to sell and what do they hope to achieve? Are their objectives reasonable?
- Are the owners prepared for the sale process and post-transaction life?
- Is it a good time for the company to be sold?
- Are current conditions and performance positive relative to its recent history? Are they sustainable?
- Is the company ready to be presented and transferred to a buyer? Are its books in order and its skeletons explainable?
- Are there any noteworthy timing issues in the company’s industry or market?
- What’s going on now and how will the outlook going forward impact the company and/or its sale?
- Are there opportunities or obstacles involving schedules or deadlines?
- Are there qualified buyers interested in the company when it is ready to be sold?
- Would there be a better time for the buyers to transact? Why?
- Who are the buyers and what could impact their ability to purchase?
- Is the timing right in the economy to support the desired transaction?
- Is funding available for buyers around the time of the purchase?
- What factors will/could impact the deal and for how long will they last or when will they change?
- Considering that the sale process can take 8 to 18 months to complete, is there time to get the deal done?
- Can the owners stay on track, and will business and industry conditions be sustained?
- Are there any expected or suspected changes in the economy that could impact the deal, and will buyers still be in the position to close the deal?