To the average business owner who may be planning to sell up or limit their involvement in the day-to-day details of its operation, the need to devise an exit strategy might appear to be an unnecessary task that could delay their plans. The term might seem more applicable to some clandestine special forces group’s plan to escape from an alien shore after an illegal incursion. However, in practice, this could be a dangerous misconception. Failure to devise and follow a suitabl

Company owners choose to sell for various reasons. For example, when approaching retirement age, some wish to spend more time with their families and relax after years of stress and twelve-hour days. The company is a fixed asset that, when sold, will, hopefully, provide the money to fund their desired new lifestyle. Whatever the reason for selling, finding the right taker requires market knowledge. In particular, understanding what buyers are looking for in a business will si

There can be little doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic and its many adverse effects on the nation’s businesses have led to a declining interest in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market by companies in South Africa. At the same time, the difficulties resulting from lockdown have left many local businesses on the verge of collapse or struggling to recover and resume their growth. Consequently, many of their owners are anxious to find a willing buyer or investor. Despite this

If you are the owner of a successful company, it is most unlikely that you achieved success overnight. The chances are it has taken you several years to attain your current status and a lot of blood, sweat and tears in the process. More significantly, it has also taken quite a lot of money. Like most entrepreneurs, you probably began with a good idea but lacked sufficient cash to implement it. How else to grow your fledgling business but to present a convincing plan to your b

Although some business owners may settle for sufficient growth to keep pace with inflation, others are driven to see their life’s work achieve its full potential. These individuals attain success by reinvesting profits or raising loans at strategic intervals to upgrade equipment, embrace new technologies, or finance marketing campaigns to increase sales. However, even the most successful businesses will often reach a point where finding a strategic growth partner may be the o

If you have ever sold a home, you might be inclined to believe that selling a company is a similar process. Nothing could be further from the truth. An estate agent will set your selling price by reviewing comparable properties sold in your area when handling your 4-bedroom in suburbia. The same agent will then proceed to convince you to settle for less to secure a quick sale. However, there are no statistics to call upon when performing a business valuation, as no two busine