Lucido Global Business Brokers

Lucido Global Business Brokers

Adding Value, Creating Wealth

  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Suite of Services
    • Our Team
  • Buying a Business
    • Buying a Business
    • Buying a Business Tutorial
  • Selling a Business
    • Selling a Business
    • Selling a Business Tutorial
  • Visas & Immigration
  • Businesses For Sale
    • Featured Businesses
    • Florida Businesses
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Selling: What Does An Intermediary Expect From You

By Rod Burns Jun 22

If you are seriously considering selling your company, you have no doubt considered using the services of an intermediary. You probably have wondered what you could expect from him or her. It works both ways. To do their job, which is selling your company; maximizing the selling price, terms and net proceeds; plus handling the details effectively; there are some things intermediaries will expect from you. By understanding these expectations, you will greatly improve the chances of a successful sale. Here are just a few:

• Next to continuing to run the business, working with your intermediary in helping to sell the company is a close second. It takes this kind of partnering to get the job done. You have to return all of his or her telephone calls promptly and be available to handle any other requests. You, other key executives, and primary advisors have to be readily available to your intermediary.

• Selling a company is a group effort that will involve you, key executives, and your financial and legal advisors all working in a coordinated manner with the intermediary. Beginning with the gathering of information, through the transaction closing, you need input about all aspects of the sale. Only they can provide the necessary information.

• Keep in mind that the selling process can take anywhere from six months to a year — or even a bit longer. An intermediary needs to know what is happening — and changing — within the company, the competition, customers, etc. The lines of communication must be kept open.

• The intermediary will need key management’s cooperation in preparation for the future visits from prospective acquirers. They will need to know just what is required, and expected, from such visits.

• You will rightfully expect the intermediary to develop a list of possible acquirers. You can help in several ways. First, you could offer the names of possible candidates who might be interested in acquiring your business. Second, supplying the intermediary with industry publications, magazines and directories will help in increasing the number of possible purchasers, and will help in educating the intermediary in the nature of your business.

• Keep your intermediary in the loop. Hopefully, at some point, a letter of intent will be signed and the deal turned over to the lawyers for the drafting of the final documents. Now is not the time to assume that the intermediary’s job is done. It may just be beginning as the details of financing are completed and final deal points are resolved. The intermediary knows the buyer, the seller, and what they really agreed on. You may be keeping the deal from falling apart by keeping the intermediary involved in the negotiations.

• Be open to all suggestions. You may feel that you only want one type of buyer to look at your business. For example, you may think that only a foreign company will pay you what you want for the company. Your intermediary may have some other prospects. Sometimes you have to be willing to change directions.

The time to call a business intermediary professional is when you are considering the sale of your company. He or she is a major member of your team. Selling a company can be a long-term proposition. Make sure you are willing to be involved in the process until the job is done. Maintain open communications with the intermediary. And, most of all – listen. He or she is the expert.

Copyright: Business Brokerage Press, Inc.

monkeybusinessimages/BigStock.com

Categories: Seller Articles

Prev
Next

Featured Businesses

Subscribe to our Newsletter

No worries, your information is safe with us. We hate spam too!

From Our Blog

Ownership Transition Survey Results

January 15, 2021

Mass Mutual Life Insurance produced an ownership transition survey back about a decade ago.  The … Read More »

The Importance of Owner Flexibility

December 18, 2020

You shouldn’t expect to sell your company overnight.  For every company that sells quickly, there … Read More »

Getting the Most Out of Confidentiality Agreements

December 12, 2020

When it comes to buying or selling a business, there is no replacement for a solid confidentiality … Read More »

How to Optimize Your Chances of Selling Your Business

December 5, 2020

The simple fact is that selling your business is likely to be the single most important financial … Read More »

Insights from BizBuySell’s 3rd Quarter Insight Report

November 28, 2020

Most business buyers and sellers are wondering what 2021 and beyond will bring.  BizBuySell and … Read More »

Zeroing in on Goodwill

November 24, 2020

Goodwill is a term that might cause a little confusion for some.  But at its heart, it is a … Read More »

Global Business Brokers

Contact Us

Lucido Global Business Brokers
Keller Williams Coral Gables
550 Biltmore Way PH II A-B
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Office (305) 662-7325
Direct (954) 913-5464
rod@globalbusinessbrokers.net

Adding Value, Creating Wealth

  • Ownership Transition Survey Results
  • The Importance of Owner Flexibility
  • Getting the Most Out of Confidentiality Agreements
  • How to Optimize Your Chances of Selling Your Business
  • Insights from BizBuySell’s 3rd Quarter Insight Report

Join Our Team

Copyright © 2021 Lucido Global Business Brokers
MENU
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Suite of Services
    • Our Team
  • Buying a Business
    • Buying a Business
    • Buying a Business Tutorial
  • Selling a Business
    • Selling a Business
    • Selling a Business Tutorial
  • Visas & Immigration
  • Businesses For Sale
    • Featured Businesses
    • Florida Businesses
  • Blog
  • Contact Us