Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory

A Neumann & Associates, LLC

January 21, 2020

How to find quality buyers your business

By Achim Neumann

When selling a business, there are a few significant considerations to keep in mind when looking to gain maximum value for an exit from securing a professional business appraisal to a seller’s note – and everything in between.

Finding Suitable Buyers for Your Business

Finding one or more strong buyers with the finances and operational resources to acquire your business is paramount. Multiple buyers will give you leverage to negotiate on prices and terms. Even with a single buyer, however, understanding your options can aid you in enhancing the final sale price.

Creating Mutually Beneficial Buyer-Seller Outcomes

Any deal should be structured in a way that takes the best interests of both the buyer and the seller into consideration. Stand firm on issues that are important to you. Most buyers will understand and respect this approach. All-cash deals statistically are worth at least 20% less than those which combine cash and clauses. Remember that more than two-thirds of deals include clauses for structured future payments. However, even all-cash deals will have important terms attached.

Key Terms Commonly Included in Offers:

  1. Taxes and Asset Allocations – In an asset deal, different pieces of the business, such as fixed assets, inventory, and non-physical assets, are taxed at different rates. These rates are often negotiated due to their high impact on both the business seller and buyer. Your tax advisor or business intermediary run you through the ins and outs of the different tax allocations.
  2. A Seller Note – The seller carries a part of the total offer in the form of a note with interest paid out over a certain number of months/years. Although sellers are often not in favor of a seller note, it can sometimes bring advantages. A seller note reassures both buyer and lender that the seller believes in the business, which can result in a higher potential asking price.
  3. Non-Competes and Employment Agreements – An employment agreement ranging in time from a few months up to several years is sometimes negotiated by a buyer on the understanding that the business seller knows the business best, maintains good relationships with employees, customers, and vendors, and can therefore ensure vital continuity after the sale has gone through. Regarding non-competes, the buyer will want assurances that the previous owner will not set up a business in the same field that poses a threat for a set number of years following the sale.
  4. Net Working Capital – Net working capital constitutes the delta between current assets and current liabilities of the business (although cash is often excluded). The buyer will often require that a certain amount of working capital remains in the company so the business can continue running without interruption.
  5. Tangible or Hard Assets – This typically encompasses fixed assets like equipment, machinery, and inventory. Buyers will examine these assets thoroughly as part of the due-diligence phase. Obsolete equipment that is in need of replacement can emerge as contentious points in negotiation if and when they affect the buyer’s perception of value.
  6. Leasing Assets – In cases where the buyer is incapable of or has no desire to buy all the business’s assets, the seller may choose to lease some assets as a means of reducing the money necessary to close the deal. Leasing of assets can happen in cases where a business has expensive, underused equipment, or the business is generating poor cash flow.
  7. Stock in the New Company – Some buyers will desire that the previous owner remains an active part of the company going forward. As a result, they may offer stock in the company after the sale as part of the deal, however such is not possible if the buyer uses SBA financing.
  8. Earn-outs – Earn-outs are sometimes offered as part of the asking price. They consist of a structured performance-based pay-out plan over a defined future time period, for example, the earn-out could be a percentage of gross revenues. In cases where the business may be in trouble or there is a high probability of an upturn in fortunes in the near future, the buyer may offer an earn-out that gives both buyer and seller the chance to share in growth.

This list of general options for terms in business sale transactions is by no means exhaustive. It is important to be aware of every eventuality when selling your business. Find an M&A Advisor that has experience in structuring offers and working with buyers. Your advisor’s knowledge will help you maximize the profit that you can generate from the sale. Often times, when there are multiple offers on the table, the structure of the deal and the terms it includes will make all the difference. Whether you’re looking to sell a business in Connecticut or have a professional business valuation in North Carolina, we at A. Neumann & Associates LLC are located all along the East Coast to answer any of your questions at any time.

 

About A Neumann & Associates, LLC

A Neumann & Associates, LLC is a professional mergers & acquisitions and business brokerage firm having assisted business owners and buyers in the business valuation and business transfer process through its affiliations for the past 30 years. With an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, the company has senior trusted professionals with a deep knowledge based in multiple field offices along the East Coast and has performed hundreds of business valuations in its history. The firm’s competitive transaction fees are based on successfully completing transactions. For more information, please contact A Neumann & Associates at 732-872-6777 or info@neumannassociates.com

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“I've always had great respect for those who are excellent in their fields of endeavor. Gary certainly lived up to that standard. He was knowledgeable, persuasive, determined and ultimately the main driving force that culminated in the very successful sale of my business. Well done Gary!”

Stuart Zeiff, Seller

“ I appreciate your diligent approach to screening buyers and sellers as well as the high quality CIM that you produce.”

Andrey O, Investor

“Finally enjoying retirement after recently selling my business using the services of A Neumann & Associates. Joe Oddo provided the conduit to a successful transaction. Joe knew when to inject input and when to simply listen and allow the buyers to vent, step back and regroup. The outcome met our expectations and got us to the finish line, which included my staying with the company six months in order for the buyers to get their footing and keep our workforce in the loop. He helped at every step by providing his expert guidance & resources. Thank you!”

Emily Parker Myers, Co-Owner - Myers McRae

“I had been in touch with Karin and Gary from A Neumann & Associates regarding some opportunities and was looking forward to meeting with them. Hence, when they organized a seminar in Princeton, NJ, I was quick to sign up. The seminar was very informative as the team walked the attendees through various scenarios and referenced real life buying/selling situations they had been through. The sessions by Gary, Karin and Achim were crisp and focused and brought clarity to potential seller and buyers. I strongly recommend the team and look forward to continue working with them.”

Gaurav Tyagi

“Thank you for your Event on "How to value, Sell, and Buy A Business for Maximum Profit" and the insight into ANA’s approach on what is involved in the Business Exit for sellers. Garys Hervieiou's "Business Valuation", Achim's "Deal structure" presentation and Karin’s "Preparing the Package" are real street knowledge shared. They answered attendees questions which makes it more interesting for learning from others. Great for small businesses like us. The presentations were totally worth our time and travel for the event to Princeton, NJ from Rockville MD. Ravi Bhutani, President, CIPS”

Ravi Bhutani

“Gary, this is to thank you for an excellent job done in selling our business. We could never have done it without your professional expertise, dedication and time put in without reservation to make it happen. We will gladly and highly recommend you to anybody in our position.  It was a pleasure to work with you.”

Pat Iammatteo, Owner

“Your vetting is simply outstanding, among the best I've seen from a broker.”

Eric H., Investor

“I recently contacted A. Neumann and Associates about getting a valuation of my business done. I spoke with Marc, who explained the process in detail. After meeting with Marc in order to get a clear understanding of my business, and what I was hoping to accomplish. His patience in answering all my questions and his knowledge of the proper way to market my business gave me great confidence that this is the firm I will be using to sell my business for max value. Working with Marc at A Neumann & Associates was very easy and professional. I did not know all that was going to be involved in selling my business but they helped me through the process. What I thought was going to be a just another one of those pushy sales companies was just the opposite. Polite, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to talk to and deal with. I highly recommend this firm to anybody who wants to sell now or down the road. Marc not only knows his stuff, but actually is a real nice guy.”

Double Diamond

“Used A Neumann & Associates to sale my business. could not imagine having done it with out the patience and experience Gary provided. Thanks Gary,”

Dennis Frazier

“Working with Marc and his company was a pleasure. What I thought was going to be a just another one of those pushy sales companies was just the opposite. Polite, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to talk to and deal with. Marc handled most of the interaction and he has one of the greatest demeanors. Again, it was a pleasure working with him and his firm.”

Douglas DiCeglio
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If you are considering selling your business, please contact us to learn more about our comprehensive service spectrum. Our experienced professionals will answer all your questions about selling a privately held business in complete confidentiality. Please fill out our contact form, or call us at 732-872-6777. We will contact you directly and will never identify ourselves to your employees.

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