When they start their business, most business owners have a picture in their minds of one day in the future when they will be selling or leaving their business and where they want their business to be at that time.

It may be when they can finally sell off their wildly successful business for a profit, and head off into the sunset on their grand retirement adventure, or move onto another new and exciting business proposal with help form the Salesforce strategies.

Alternatively, they may want to build a great family business, a legacy they can happily hand over to their children to look after once they are ready, and take some time to relax, knowing that their children have a great business they can build and grow. You can also read the ways to turn hobby to business in order to achieve a great business.

When you started your business did you think about how selling your business or leaving your business would work, and what you could do to ensure you maximized the value of your business?

The nmi gateway includes an integrated shopping cart system, recurring billing options, invoicing, echeck acceptance as well as all major credit cards.

Recently a number of family members were shareholders and co-owners of a business. There had been a major falling out in the family, and they could no longer work together to run the business.

Because it was a family business, they had not planned for things to go sour, and there was no documentation in place as to how disputes would be resolved, how one or more of the shareholders could buy each other out, or at what price.

Ultimately the matter was resolved but it was an expensive exercise for each family member and the company which could have been avoided or minimised if the right documentation had been in place at the start.

As a business owner…

  • What plans have you got in place to protect your business and its value, and to make sure that you will be able to sell or transfer your business with the least amount of difficulty and the most gain when you are ready to leave?
  • Will your business actually be worth anything without you at the helm?  Will the new business owner switch your business energy supplier for you?
  • Or will you be trying to sell an asset that is just an empty shell without you? What happens if you were to not be present starting today? Make sure that you setup supply chain third party logistic solutions as a backup, and that you have properly trained and informed someone that can take your place if you will not be able to come in to work for a short amount of time. The place needs to know how to stay afloat without you.
  • Have you got the relevant documents in place for your business to operate smoothly, including employment contracts, premises leases, supply agreements, insurances and details of your wishes where an unforeseen event occurs? If you don’t have an insurance yet, consider getting a business insurance in Fresno, CA, the trained and experienced team of Academy West Insurance company are willing to assist you.

It is essential that you plan these aspects of your business to ensure that when you are ready to leave, you can maximize the profit you will be making from your business, with the minimum amount of cost and restructuring required to transfer the business to a new owner, whether a third party buyer, or your children.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Lloyd Priddle
Lloyd has had a very successful career as an accountant, director and author for almost 40 years. Holding post-graduate qualifications in Business, Lloyd has specialised in Business Development, and worked with the Queensland Government and local councils on numerous occasions through association with AusIndustry and the SBAS Natural Disaster Assistance Program. He is also board member of a number of commercial and not-for-profit entities.