Don’t reinvent the wheel... When considering retirement or taking over the family business, turn to us early. Business Kemi provides essential tips to kickstart the sales process.
Selling a business is often a lengthy process requiring time, effort, and mental resilience. When the business is profitable, the effort is worthwhile—your life's work can gain a new beginning with fresh ideas and offer a unique opportunity for a young entrepreneur. People are willing to pay for a good company! After a carefully planned sale, you can move on to the next adventures in life with peace of mind. A successful business sale requires that:
We are part of the Ownership Change Forum, which has compiled the typical steps involved in selling a business. Through us, you can get coaching and free advice to start the process. If needed, we can find an expert to finalize the sale for you.
The typical business sale process takes about 10 months, but it often extends over a year. Unfortunately, the most common outcome in the market is that the sale doesn't happen at all, or the business is simply closed without attempting to sell it.
The only way to expedite and ensure the sale is to invest in the sales process financially, with time, and with expert work. Before listing, many things can be done to speed up and secure the sale, but they take time.
In Lapland, Suomen Yrittäjät' ownership transfer coordinator, Marko, supports local entrepreneurs with ownership transitions. His free services can significantly advance the sales process, and he can refer you to other experts if needed. Marko's contact details are at the bottom of the page.
Business brokers are also valuable. They specialize in facilitating business sales, saving time, reducing risks, and aiding decision-making. Initial consultations with brokers are free, offering insights into the best path forward. Brokers' fees are only a few percent of the total sale value, making their services highly cost-effective.
Initial discussions with a business broker are free, so you have nothing to lose. A broker can quickly advise on the best path forward or whether it might be wiser to delay or abandon the plan. You'll also learn what assistance is available, its necessity, and its cost.
Business sales rarely happen without professional help. Given that the cost of using a professional is only a few percent of the total sale value, the benefits far outweigh the costs.
Gather all current contracts, documents, blueprints, financial statements, etc., from the last three years into one folder, if they fit. You can't sell or buy a business without this step.
The sale process won't proceed without essential documents, as information gaps increase the buyer's risk and reduce their willingness to buy or pay the asking price.
If you have an estimated sale price, test its realism by asking your bank manager about financing options. Before sharing crucial information, require the buyer to sign a proper non-disclosure agreement to reduce the risk of hostile corporate espionage.
Find out what a business sale or share sale would mean in your case, including the benefits, issues, costs, and taxes involved. Conduct a realistic valuation that considers the likely buyer and how they would finance the purchase. Without these insights, the valuation cannot be realistic.
Unrealistic strategies and valuations can easily ruin the chance of a sale. Large buyers are rare, and the likelihood of one coming along is low. While lottery wins do happen, most people spend their time waiting for such an opportunity.
Remember that buyers usually have other options, including not buying and continuing as before. Sellers typically have only one product to sell, so they must act wisely and patiently. Unrealistic demands can tarnish the reputation of the business permanently.
A business broker's valuation is based on realistic sale possibilities. If a sale doesn't happen, the broker doesn't earn. Therefore, brokers aim for realistic valuations. They also benefit more from higher sale prices, motivating them to find the best possible buyer willing to pay a premium.
The length of a sales contract isn't inherently important, but as a rule of thumb, if it's shorter than six pages (or longer with widely spaced lines), it likely lacks crucial details for a safe and successful sale.
Consider what happens if the purchase price isn't paid or the sold equipment doesn't work. Examine each clause and ask what to do if the agreed terms in the contract aren't met. Additionally, you should be reasonably sure that at least all the most important points are documented and that you understand what they mean in practice.
Additionally, you should be reasonably sure that at least all the most important points are documented and that you understand what they mean in practice. The buyer has a duty to investigate, and the seller has a duty to disclose. There is no consumer protection in business sales, and it is ineffective to claim later that you did not understand the contract. A good sales contract prevents disputes in advance and guides actions in case of surprises.
The signing date of the contract and the transfer of ownership date are often not the same. Before or during the transfer of ownership, inventories may be conducted, which can adjust the purchase price.
Once ownership has changed, it's essential to genuinely step back and give space to the new owner. This applies even if there's an agreed transition period where the seller remains available for a certain time. The transition period is important, but true takeover happens when the business is fully in the buyer's hands.
When you seriously consider selling your business, you can book a confidential and free consultation. Business Kemi's advisors can discuss sales opportunities with you and plan the next steps. This meeting doesn't obligate you to start the sales process, so it's worth booking even if you're still unsure. To get more out of the meeting than just coffee and a chat, it's advisable to:
Explore the sellers guides from the Ownership Change Forum.
Review the Seller's Checklist above and note down any key questions you have.
Review other business sale listings onyrityspörssi.fi - and consider preliminarily publishing your own sale listing there, for example, on the Yrityspörssi website.