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The Six Step Recipe to a Successful Exit

By Jason Kwiatkowski
Published: July 24, 2013 | Last updated: March 22, 2024
Key Takeaways

Exiting your business is like cooking a meal worthy of a chef. You need the right ingredients, added in the right amount and at the right time. In this article, I summarize these ingredients so you can start early and “cook up” a successful business exit.

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According to Gary Ford and Connie Bird, authors of “Life is Sales,” three common attributes of successful people are initiative, persistence and assertiveness. It is these qualities that drive entrepreneurs to build successful organizations and it is these qualities that empower business owners to prepare for a voluntary or involuntary sale of their business through an exit plan.

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To develop an effective exit plan, the following six-step process must be undertaken just like a master chef would add the best ingredients to a succulent meal:

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Ingredient Description
1. Goals Assessment
Identify business, personal and family goals
Provides a frame of reference for the entire plan
2. Financial Needs Assessment Quantify how much is needed (from the sale of the business) to achieve the goals
Considerations include annual spending, expected rates of return, inflation, life expectancy, etc.
3. Business Valuation Obtain a current business valuation – at least 3 to 5 years prior to exit
Identify and implement measures to increase business value before exit
4. Exit Option Analysis Assess the advantages and disadvantages of each exit option
Identify which exit option(s) will best accomplish the goals
5. Net Proceeds Analysis Calculate net proceeds to be received under each exit option based on various value/sale price assumptions
6. Action Plan Identify and prioritize specific tasks to be undertaken
Assign responsibility to individuals and identify timing of each task
Schedule regular meetings (e.g., quarterly) with those accountable to ensure progress

The exit planning process is a comprehensive process that addresses the business, personal, financial, legal and tax issues that are involved in exiting from a privately owned business. When it comes to exit planning, business owners ultimately have three choices: a) do nothing; b) prepare the plan themselves; or c) seek professional assistance.

To ensure an efficient process, business owners should give serious thought to the above noted steps before seeking professional assistance. A team of professional advisors can provide real value throughout the exit planning process. According to “RBC Business Succession Planning: Your Essential Road Map,” assistance from many of the following professionals may be required at some point in the process:

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  • Family business advisor
  • Professional accountant
  • Lawyer (corporate, tax, estate)
  • Business valuator
  • Insurance / financial advisor
  • Commercial banker
  • Business broker
  • Investment advisor / wealth manager

Knowing when to call upon experienced professionals to ensure that the plan is technically sound and will meet the identified goals is critical. Be sure to read my next six articles that discuss in greater detail each of the above noted six steps to developing an effective exit plan, highlighting how and when specific professional advisors can assist.

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The first ingredient is by far the most important. This ingredient is Defining Goals and I get into it a bit more in my next article “The First Ingredient to a Successful Exit – Defining Goals.”

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Written by Jason Kwiatkowski

Jason Kwiatkowski
Jason is a Partner and President of Valuation Support Partners Ltd., a boutique professional services firm specializing in providing independent expert business valuation, litigation support, exit planning advisory and transaction advisory services.  Jason provides business valuation and litigation support services to law firms, private and public companies as well as non-profit organizations and individuals. Services include rendering of conclusions on the value of businesses, intellectual property and economic damages.


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