By Jessica Martinka
There’s an old song that starts out, “Signs, signs, everywhere a sign.” What about, “Questions, questions, everywhere a question,” when it comes to planning to exit a business?
- Why am I thinking about selling my business and do I really want to sell?
- Will it be enough money?
- What does my spouse think about it?
- Who do I let know? Is it employees, vendors, customers?
Jim told his two (very) key employees he was planning to sell to a company in the same industry. This was all of a sudden, they panicked, and within days both turned in their two-week notice. Yikes!
Owners are scared because a confidentiality breach will scare employees, vendors, customers, and competitors. And potentially drive down the value of the business.
Last month I wrote about what happened when corporate took over the company I was working for. I didn’t give notice, but should have. I can tell you all the worry affected my productivity, especially once I found out I was training my replacement.
At the management level, consider letting your team know about a potential sale as you’ll need them during the process. Have them sign an NDA and consider giving them a retention bonus, post-close as an incentive to stay.
Customers finding out can create problems. Competitors finding out can be a disaster. Even suppliers, as they may put you on C.O.D. But it’s mainly about the employees because buyers are buying the people not just the business.
I was naïve when corporate took over. Most people will look for a way out which is the number one reason why owner’s keep the potential sale of their business quiet. And a business buyer doesn’t want to come into a business with no management team or missing employees. Hiring an advisor familiar with buy-sell deals who understands the importance of confidentiality will be beneficial through the process.
A good place to start planning your exit is with our book: If They Can Sell Pet Rocks Why Can’t You Sell Your Business (For What You Want?).
“The size of a planet doesn’t strike you until you start looking for something.” David Sedaris
