Selling a Business: Reasons and Attributes

B E N C H M A R K I N T E R N AT I O N A L

SELLING A BUSINESS: REASONS AND ATTRIBUTES

Benchmark International

SELLI NG A B U S INES S : REA S ONS AND AT TRIBU T ES

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Making the decision to sell a small to medium-sized business is often a difficult one. Most small to medium-sized business owners are emotionally invested in their companies as well as financially. There are many reasons why people may choose to sell, and several things that can be done to help make the business more attractive to potential buyers before sale.

REASONS TO SELL Small to medium-sized businesses are often family-owned, but there are not always successors within the family. Retirement can therefore be a common reason for sale, as can being overworked or becoming bored or disillusioned with the work. Some small to medium-sized businesses end up being sold due to irreconcilable partner disputes, while others end up on the market because there has been a death, illness or other crisis within the family that must take priority.

Once the decision to sell has been made, there are several things potential buyers will look for that will make the company more appealing as a prospect. These include attributes such as having long-standing contracts with major clients spanning several years, regularly increasing profit margins, a strong customer base, and consistent figures for income streams.

RETIREMENT CAN THEREFORE BE A COMMON REASON FOR SALE, AS CAN BEING OVERWORKED OR BECOMING BORED OR DISILLUSIONED WITH THE WORK.

Benchmark International

AT T R I B U T E S TO IMPROVE SALE PROSPECTS

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You can read about more things to consider when selling a small to mediumsized business by visiting the blog of Benchmark International.