TCII :: Management Consultants
Building Profitable Business
The key task was to
understand the
client's business
objectives,
capabilities, resources
and expectations...
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Selling up and maximising your return
Our client, the owner of a London-based travel agency, had decided to sell up and retire, but having been so wrapped up in the day to day running of his business he’d not had time to plan his exit. He realised that this could result in a smaller financial return than he believed his business should realise.
Our challenge
Our key task was to develop and implement a robust exit strategy for the business to maximise the client’s return on investment.
What we did
We first analysed the current business situation, using various methods to calculate the value of the business which we compared to the owner’s expectations. As the business had few assets, an earnings-based valuation approach was chosen. Next, the company's strengths and weaknesses were flagged and problems corrected.
We then identified who in the market place was buying similar companies, which companies were being purchased by strategic buyers, and why. Did our client’s company fit that profile? Who was likely to be a strategic buyer? We made clear that regardless of our valuations, the real value of our client’s business was what a purchaser was prepared to pay and a strategic buyer, in general, would pay more.
Acting as an intermediary, we then approached 25 potential buyers to gauge interest and solicit offers. Price was never stated.
Following the signing of confidentiality agreements and provision of details to interested parties, letters of intent were collected from serious buyers, who were made aware that others were also bidding.
The most promising buyer was selected and it was announced that their letter of intent had been accepted.
The outcome
Following in depth due diligence and the negotiation of a definitive purchase agreement, the deal was signed and closed. The process took approximately three years and the final price exceeded the owner’s expectation by 28 per cent.
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