Business Performance

03/12/2025

3 steps to selling your business (for the right price)

Step 1 - decide whether your business would suit Strategic buyers, Financial Buyers or both. Strategic Buyer have sector knowledge, an existing offering or struggle to easily replicate what you have built. A financial buyer sees value in the form of an ROI and growth opportunity.

Step 2 - decide if your business is market-ready to achieve the realised value you want. If time is against you, you will have to accept the market value (a business is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it). If you have time to proactively improve aspects of your business that are affecting the value, then you can increase what the business is worth to someone else (remember your business is not always worth the same to someone else as it is to you!)

Step 3 - Decide when and how your business should be offered to the market. If you are already in transaction mode (i.e. quick sale within 9 months), then you should list your business with a Broker and let the market decide the value of your business or speak to an M&A advisor who will have Strategic buyers pre-qualified in the background. If you have time (2 - 5 years) to optimise your exit, engage with an M&A advisor. Once happy with the value, return to step 1. M&A advisors are more likely to have a select few Strategic investors/acquirers looking for specific businesses within specific markets; Brokers are more likely to have access to a much wider market but is less targeted.

Ultimately the most important thing is to use a specialist in business exit and give it plenty of time - these things are not as quick as you think especially if you want to justify a higher valuation.

Start your optimised exit journey by completing your personalised value assessment: https://zurl.co/sSlN8

or book a discovery call: https://zurl.co/QUM47

14/11/2025

I mentioned in an earlier post the importance of knowing if you are ready to exit your business. Here is a brief explainer video of what to consider. We have a comprehensive way of assessing this that we call the PREScore.

If you are considering exiting your business in the next 2 - 5 years either get in touch or start your journey to an optimised exit by completing you personalised Value Builder Assessment via this link: https://zurl.co/rbvhh

https://zurl.co/TU0Sy

How is it possible that three quarters of owners are disappointed just one year after what should be the happiest day of their life? The answer is, most owners fail…

11/11/2025

The 2 biggest things you need to know when thinking about exiting your business: Are you ready to exit and is your business market ready? This video focuses on how we get your business exit-ready and for the best realised value (how much you get on exit).
Contact us to find out how: https://business-performance.co.uk/contact or take your Value Builder Assessment here: https://zurl.co/1jN5i

https://zurl.co/t3KAk

Ever wondered what we work on when we guide you through the process of building value into your business? This video gives you and idea of everything we focu...

11/11/2025

Thinking about exiting your business? 2 things to consider - Is the business Market ready? and are you ready for life without your business? This one is all about you. For more information contact us at https://business-performance.co.uk/contact

https://zurl.co/Cm0uw

With 75% of business owners regretting selling their business within 18 months, wouldn't it be great if you could measure your Personal Readiness to EXIT. Ta...

07/11/2025

In the brilliant book "When", Dan Pinks (Author) explains that when you do things can often have as much of an influencing factor as what you do. Never more true when selling your business.
The biggest mistake owners make is to sell when they are ready, as opposed to when the business is ready - RESULT - you get beaten down on price.

Now the reality check - it typically takes 2 - 5 years to get your business ready to sell. Your opinion of whether your business is ready is irrelevant if you can't demonstrate it.

If you are considering an exit and would like to realise a fair amount, let's discuss how we can optimise your business value.

31/10/2025

How far ahead should I start planning for an exit?
Selling your business takes time. The actual transaction may take 6 - 9 months, however the preparation takes much longer. Most acquirers want to see a minimum of 2 years "proof" that changes are effective and implementing real change may take 1 - 2 years. So the answer is broad and depends on your circumstances - If you have to sell allow up to a year, If you want to maximise your realisation on exit; 2 - 5 years of planning and implementation should be about right.
If you are just at the beginning of your exit journey, NOW is the best time to start your plan. Book a discovery call https://zurl.co/EE7ca to discuss the best way to get started.

16/10/2025

Are you a business owner? Would you like to know how to increase the value of your business, via a systematic, practical and quantifiable way? If so let's chat. DM or email me at [email protected]. Enjoy this explainer video of what we focus on or take your free Value Builder Assessment https://zurl.co/xgHtr

https://zurl.co/nkeJU

This is "Value Builder System™ Explainer" by The Value Builder System™ on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

23/09/2025

Calling all SME business owners - Here are 4 things you need for an effective succession plan, so you can exit (in time)
1 Structured plan - including timescales, realised value, type of exit.
2 Documented processes for every part of your business - enabling it to run without you.
3 A development plan for your SLT and key people so that they can run the systems, which in turn can run the business
4 Someone to hold your hand and educated you on this part of your journey - running a business is different to exiting a business, so if this is your first time, it will all be new.

If you are considering exiting in the next 5 years, let's help you get your ducks in a row. Contact us to discuss your personalised exit and succession plans.

22/09/2025

Calling all "Baby-Boomer" business owners - If you were born in the 50's or 60s and own a business in which you are still very much involved, have you thought about when enough will be enough?
We work with you on People, Process and Profits to allow you to exit your business, whilst maximising your monetary realisation.
So if you would like to head of for a well-earned retirement, let's chat. Nothing to lose, so much to gain.

21/07/2025

The Owner’s Metric: The one number you need to be truly free

Why did you start your company?

With your skills, you could’ve climbed the corporate ladder—corner office, company car, pension. But you chose something different. Why?

Most successful entrepreneurs are driven by a deeper goal: personal freedom. Freedom to choose how you spend your time, what you do, and who you do it with.

This eBook shares insights from over 80,000 business owners who have completed the Value Builder Score. You'll learn what drives true company value and how to turn your vision of freedom into reality

Please enjoy your copy of the eBook - https://zurl.co/9Pryc

04/07/2025

Why a Competent and High-Performing Management Team Is So Important

Let’s consider a few scenarios. Whether your business is looking to raise investment, secure funding, or prepare for a sale, investors and buyers typically look for three things:

1. The potential for a strong return on investment (ROI)
2. A well-considered business plan to deliver growth
3. Confidence in the management team

Even if your product or service is strong and your business plan is sound, it can all fall apart if the investor doesn’t trust the people leading the business. Without confidence in the leadership team, the deal won’t go ahead.

The solution? Build and present a strong, cohesive Senior Leadership Team (SLT). This is often reinforced by the involvement of a Non-Executive Director (NED), Advisory Board, or Fractional Director.

Now consider this: what happens if a key member of your SLT suddenly exits—through retirement, resignation, or something unexpected? Until that gap is filled, your team is weakened, and that can lead to a loss of confidence from internal stakeholders and external investors. In these cases, a Fractional Director can step in to maintain continuity and provide leadership during transition.

Finally, if you’re bringing in an equity partner or preparing for a management buyout (MBO), funders need to see that your business can move forward without heavy intervention. No one wants to “buy a job”—they want confidence in a self-sufficient, capable leadership team. Bringing in short-term fractional support and investing in leadership development can upskill your future SLT and help maintain that trust.

Remember, investors won’t accept incompetence, disorganization, or a leadership team that doesn’t function well. The more control they feel they need to assert, the less control you’ll retain.