Are you ready to sell your business? Ask yourself--is your business properly organized to be put on the market right now? How would buyers perceive your business today? Answer the questions below to find out.

Business Owners: Begin Here

This is a first step in our proven process to sell your business for maximum value. The questions below are designed to help you analyze the operation of your business and identify it's strengths, weakneses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) and any areas that may need improvement. This exercise will help you see how your business might be perceived by potential buyers. Please answer the questions and click the submit button and you will receive your "sellability rating" by email. The results can serve as a tool to objectively identify areas of your business that require attention in order to increase desirability to buyers.

All information provided here is strictly confidential.

Premises Lease

Do you lease or own the property?

Minimum 5 years, Options/Own the Property and the Business Pays Market Rate Rent

Under 3 Years, No Options

Over 3 Years, Options

N/A - Home-Based Business

Lease Terms

Is your rent in par with the current economic climate?

At Current Market Rates

Above Prevailing Market Rates

Below Prevailing Market Rates

Premises Location

Is your current location:

Average Location

Home-Based

Less Than Desirable Location

Location Excellent

Financial Statements

How accurate is your book keeping? Are all sales are reported and use an accurate system of accounting like a book-keeper, Quick-Books etc.?

Generated By Owner

CPA Compiled or Reviewed

Poorly Organized, Not very Accurate

Business Tax Returns

Do your business tax returns match your company financial statements (adjusting for add backs, tax deductions)?

Fully Reporting All Revenues

Non-Verifiable with POS Reports or Similar

Verifiable With Records On-Hand

Operating History

How long has the business been operating?

In Business Less Than 3 Years

Business In Operation More Than 5 Years

Recently Opened, Operating Less Than One Year

Mature Business Operating For Over 10 Years

Revenues--Key Trends

Historically, how will you define the past 3-5 years sales/profit trend?

Revenues Essentially Flat Year Over Year

Revenues Erratic Year To Year

Revenues Increasing Year Over Year

Customer Concentrations

Does your business heavily rely on a few major accounts?

Over 10% of Revenues Come From A Single Customer

A Small Number Of Customers Account For Majority Of Revenues

Diverse Customer Base Not Dependent On Just A Few Customers

Employee Attrition & Longevity

Compared to similar businesses in your industry, how loyal/happy are your employees?

Mostly Long-Term, Loyal Employees

Few Long-Term Employees, High Attrition Rate

Typical/Average Atreition For This Industry

Labor Training

Generally, how long does it take an employee to be trained to be efficient at the job?

Under 2 weeks

About 2 weeks

Extensive

Seller Financing

Seller will finance up to 25%

All-Cash Required by Seller

Seller will finance 50% or over

Open, depending on buyer

If you were to sell your business to a qualified Buyer and SBA loan was not an option, will you be willing to finance a portion of the asking price?

Selling Price Expectations of Seller (As a Multiple of Earnings)

If you do not have a formal appraisal for your business, what are your expectations for the value of your business based on a multiple of annual Net Operating Income?

2x Net Profit

Under 2x Net Profit

Over 2x Net Profit

Requirements Necessary to Transfer the Business

Does the business require a 'special trade' or difficult-to-acquire license from a State or Federal agency? How long does it take to transfer the license? Is Franchisor approval and training required?

Franchise training and transfer fee involved

1-6 Months (requires contractor license or Dept.of Transportation permit, Etc.)

Privilege License (Gaming, Limousine, Pawn Shop, etc.)

Under 1 month or none

Owner's Direct Management Time Required

How much time does the Owner of this business spend physically every week running the business?

Avg. 40 hours per week

Over 40 hours per week

Less than 40 hours per week

Absentee owner or minimal owner time required with management in place

Inventory

Does the business carry inventory for day to day operations?

Durable, Non-Perishable

Perishable with limited life

No significant Inventory required

Branding of the business

Is the business branded with the current owner's name? (For example: Bill Smith Pest Control)

A well-known brand or franchise

Business brand includes owner's personal name

Brand not associated with owner's name

Business Website

Does the business have a functional and dynamic website?

Website is a sub-directory of a franchise or third-party domain

Fully functioning website suitable for sales and interaction with new and existing customers

No website

Barriers to Entry

How easy is it for a new competitor to set up shop and take market share from your business?

Substantial start-up capex cost or regulatory hurdles (manufacturing equipment, industrial machinery, etc.)

Some investment required for equipment, premises build-out, etc.

Low start-up costs for a potential competitor

Automation processes

How efficient is your business in implementing technological tools for operations (P.O.S, inventory tracking, systems)

Advanced automated systems already in place designed to maximize efficiencies continuously

Basic systems that need upgrading

No advanced systems in place

Operating Manuals and Training Handbooks

How well documented and updated are your employee training manuals, employment contracts, non disclosure/non compete agreements, workplace safety rules, operation instructions etc.?

Few or Non-existent

Basic training mateials not frequently updated

Detailed, updated and continually improved