Selling a Business or Divesting a Business Unit
Looking to sell a business or divest a business unit? We can help.
Finding the right buyer for you and your business.
Our efforts often open the door at companies that had not previously considered themselves in the market. By skillfully identifying the prospects most likely to advance our clients’ strategic goals, we often convince prospective partners to negotiate.
We run a controlled auction where each buyer receives the individualized attention they need to evaluate the opportunity presented. We save our clients considerable time by only introducing them to viable, pre-qualified candidates.
Seven Steps to Selling
Selling a business you have built over a lifetime or divesting a business unit is a momentous decision. We've been advising sellers for over 35 years and have developed a seven-step program to help maximize the value and minimize disruptions to the business and the people who work there.
01
Defining an Exit
Exiting is a process, not an event. We start with a business valuation reference point. Alternative strategies need to be identified and a written plan prepared.
02
Setting Goals
Are you looking to maximize after tax wealth immediately upon the sale? Preserve a legacy? Protect your friends and family? Do you want to remain involved? We can help you establish your goals.
03
Selecting a Team
Your advisory team should include the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience in mergers & acquisitions, corporate law, taxation, and financial planning and wealth management.
04
Writing the Plan
There is no "right time" or "best time" to plan your Exit. Your advisor should collaborate with you to prepare a written Exit Plan incorporating a valuation, statement of goals, and review of options for realizing your objectives.
05
Reconciling Goals and Options
Maximizing value may require you to stay with the business or guarantee contracts for a period of time. You may want to sell to management or friendly competitor to avoid a "close and move" situation.
06
Positioning Strategies
What can you do today to better position the business for sale? Would a business value enhancement strategy implemented over a year result in a higher return?
07
Exit Strategies
Your advisor should prepare a comprehensive analysis of options for the corporation and its partners including sale, recapitalization, merger, transfer or gift.
American Corporate Services draws upon global insight and broad vision to help clients maximize value when they sell a business. The best buyer is not always the most obvious. We can help you plan for and navigate through rough currents that can cause a deal to capsize.