Exiting your business can be a gateway to the next successful chapter of your life…
But it can also be hard to contemplate letting go of your business until it’s sufficiently valuable.
This push and pull is what I call the ‘Founder’s Dilemma’
I’ve seen this dilemma play out many times. It can stall an exit for years and ultimately risk no exit at all.
Here are three pathways to conquer the Founder’s Dilemma, so you can optimise and accelerate your exit:
Focus on Scalability. Being scale-ready and scaling up are two different things. Work with people who can systemise operations, improve profit margins and expand your business, with or without growth funding. The more scalable the business, the higher the valuation.
Strengthen the Team. You can exponentially increase value, by building a skilled management team to run the business without you. It’s even more important if you’re thinking about a management buyout as an exit route. Document processes, focus on development and promote or headhunt top performers.
Sale Readiness. It’s not just about getting your accounts in order. Are you due diligence ready? And have your created a business that’s highly saleable and attracts the the right kind of buyers?
If you start your exit planning early enough, you give yourself time to implement the changes that make your business more attractive.
Don’t let the Founder’s Dilemma hold you back…
#SME #M&A #ExitPlanning #exitlaunchpad