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The current upheaval in the financial markets may be causing you toharbor thoughts you hadn't considered before: "I've had enough" or "Iwonder if I can sell my business."Because a majority of businesses owned by women over 55 generate lessthan $100,000 a year, disposing of your business might be a suitablemove.As a seller, you have two choices: You can sell to or merge with another company, or you can close your doors.Sale or MergerIf your company provides a product or service, there's likely goodpotential for you to be acquired. Even in down economies, somecompanies have the wherewithal to make acquisitions.Here are tasks to complete prior to looking for a suitor:1. Get your financial statements in order. Meet with your accountant tomake sure your balance sheet and profit and loss statements provide anaccurate representation of your business.2. Develop a SWOT statement. This document enumerates the Strengths,Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of your company. Creating thisstatement will do two things: a. It's likely to uncover information that will help you attract apotential buyer. Many times we are so busy in our business we losesight of many of its important features and benefits b. It provides critical information that goes beyond the numbers to someone interested in acquiring your company.3. Develop a list of criteria to look for in a buyer/partner. Yourbusiness reflects you and your hard work. By determining the qualitiesand practices you would like to see in the future owners, you makefuture decisions much easier. Some criteria might be: a. Size of organization you will be targeting b. Management style of owners c. Reputation of owners d. Geographic locale e. Structure of the dealOnce you have the documentation and criteria ready, it's time to lookfor the appropriate buyer. There are four excellent places to start theprocess of meeting your buyer:1. Your most trusted business advisors: Your accountant, banker andattorney all have their fingers on the pulse of various businesses, andthey are familiar with your business. Often they can makeintroductions. They can also help you value your business.2. Executive directors of professional associations. These people knowwho is interested in buying or selling their businesses within theirindustry. They also have extensive networks that can assist you.3. Trusted vendors. The important word here is trusted. Vendors know agreat deal about your industry because they are suppliers and know whois growing and who is strong enough to be in acquisition mode.4. A final resort would be a business broker. This is a person orcompany that helps buy and sell businesses. They are a last resortbecause they charge fees and commissions for assisting you. If thefirst three sources haven't been able to help, then business brokersare a good alternative.Closing ShopClosing your doors responsibly and profitably is not as simple asshutting the doors one evening, disconnecting the telephone and pullingdown the website.Again, there are several steps in the process to ensure that you retainas much money as possible and keep your reputation sparkling clean:1. Make sure your receivables are collectible. Are there any small problems to be cleared up so they can be paid?2. Be sure to clear up any unresolved legal issues.3. Provide for taxes.4. Liquidate any excess inventory.5. If you have employees, notify them in advance and give them anincentive to stay until the company is closed to make sure everythingflows smoothly.6. Notify customers and suppliers in a timely manner.The decision to close your business is a difficult and likely a painfulone. For many of us, our work defines us. Closure affects many parts ofour lives. Once the decision is made, we owe it to ourselves, ouremployees, our customers and our suppliers to complete the process inthe best possible way.
How,Exit,Your,Business,The,cur