Exit planning is not only about price
Most owners also care about timing, people, customers, and peace of mind. A good exit plan keeps all of those in view.
Questions worth answering early
- Do you want a full exit or a transition period?
- Is the business still strongly dependent on you?
- Are the numbers clear enough for a serious conversation?
- What happens to staff and key customers after closing?
- How much time do you want before a transaction happens?
Stronger exits usually have
- Positive cash flow
- Clean enough records
- Stable operations
- A credible management handover
- A realistic story about risk
Start before you feel urgent
Owners usually get a better outcome when they start the conversation while the business is healthy, not after pressure shows up.