Founders spend most of their time developing growth strategies, acquiring new clients, managing staff, and other day-to-day operations of the business. Developing a strategic exit plan is critical to the health of your business. But running a business is like raising a child. Just like a baby, you spend the first few years spoon-feeding it until it grows to be sustainable on its own. So, it's understandable when entrepreneurs find it emotionally challenging to exit their businesses. If this describes you, here's the ultimate guide to creating an exit strategy for your business.
Why create an exit strategy?
The goal of an exit strategy is to ensure you, the founder, exit with a substantial payout that reflects the hard work you've put in throughout the years. You want to ensure you exit with a cashout amount and settlement terms reflecting all the hard work and investment you've invested over the years. An exit strategy can take many forms, and the specific details will depend on your goals and priorities.
When is the right time to develop an exit strategy?
When starting a business: It's a good idea for entrepreneurs to consider an exit strategy from the very beginning, as this can help inform critical decisions, such as how to structure your business and plan for the future. An exit strategy can take time to develop and implement, so you need to have a plan.
When the business is successful: If your company is successful and you're considering selling it, develop an exit strategy to maximize its value to ensure a smooth transition to the new owner.
When the business is struggling: If your business is struggling, an exit strategy can help you determine the best course of action, such as finding a buyer or closing the business orderly. Overall, think about your exit strategy at all stages of your business.
9 benefits of an Exit Strategy?
Provides a clear plan for the future: An exit strategy provides a clear plan for what will happen to the business if you have to exit, which can provide peace of mind and allow you to focus on running your business.
Ensures the continued success of the business: A well-thought-out exit strategy can help ensure its continued success.
Maximizes the value of your business: An exit strategy can help you maximize the value of your business if you decide to sell. You can identify potential buyers and negotiate the sale.
Protects personal assets: An exit strategy can help protect your personal assets by separating them from the business.
Allows for the orderly transfer of ownership: An exit strategy can help ensure an orderly transfer of ownership when your business is sold or passed on to a successor.
Avoids disputes among family members: If your business is being passed on to a family member, an exit strategy can help prevent conflicts and ensure a smooth transition.
Ensures that key employees are retained: An exit strategy can help ensure that key employees are retained and motivated to continue working even after you leave.
Facilitates orderly closure: If your business is shutting down, an exit strategy can help you have the proper documents in place.
Helps you move on to new opportunities: An exit strategy can help you move on to new opportunities, whether that means retiring or starting another venture.
What does an Exit Strategy Involve?
The process of developing an exit strategy typically involves the following steps:
Determine the desired outcome: The first step in developing an exit strategy is determining the desired outcome. This could involve deciding whether to sell the business, pass it on, or close it down.
Assess the current state of the business: The next step is to assess the current state. This will involve reviewing the financials, the legal and regulatory environment, and the competitive landscape. This may involve cleaning up the balance sheet, updating financial statements, and preparing other materials needed to market the business.
Identify potential buyers or successors: If you intend to sell or pass it on to a successor, create a list of possible individuals.
Negotiate the sale or transfer: Once potential buyers or successors have been identified, negotiate the sale or transfer. This could involve negotiating the purchase price, terms, and other relevant details.
Implementation: Once finalized, complete the sale or transfer with your gathered details.
What are the main types of Exit Strategies?
There are several exit strategies; here are some of the most common:
Initial Public Offering (IPO): This is when a privately-owned company goes public by issuing shares and officially listing on a stock exchange. It is one of the most common exit strategies for early-stage investors and venture-capital-funded startups looking to liquidate their shares and achieve a return on investment.
Acquisitions: This occurs when a company takes over another company for a predetermined sale price. It enables the founder to monetize their equity and provide returns to their investors and shareholders.
Secondary Sale: A secondary sale is the sale of ownership of a company from one investor to another. It's more like handing over the baton to an investor interested in running the company.
Succession: This involves transferring ownership of a company from one leader to the next generation within the family. It is one of the most common exit strategies for family-owned businesses.
Liquidation: This involves selling a company's assets to distribute proceeds to priority shareholders and creditors. Whether voluntary or based on court orders, liquidation occurs when a company can no longer meet its financial obligations.
4 Disadvantages of Not Having an Exit Strategy
There are several potential disadvantages to not having an exit strategy:
Lack of control over the future of the business: Without an exit strategy, you may have little control over what happens after your exit. This could lead to uncertainty and potentially negative consequences for the business and its employees.
Decreased value of the business: If you haven't prepared your business for sale with proper growth strategies, this may reduce the value of your business when it's time to sell.
Risk of personal financial loss: If you don't have an exit strategy and your business fails, you may risk losing your personal assets.
Difficulty finding a buyer or successor: Without an exit strategy, it may be more difficult for a business owner to find a buyer or successor for their business down the road. This could lead to a lengthy and uncertain process that could lead to unwanted outcomes.
Overall, not having an exit strategy can lead to a lack of control over the future of your business. Lastly, the transition out may be chaotic and disruptive to the operations and potentially damage the reputation of your business. Use this ultimate guide to create an exit strategy for your business.
Subscribe to the Digital Orange Juice for juicy ideas and the people who fund them. You can find out about our next pitch competitions. Also, be sure to join our new community BGV Connect!