Many business owners haven’t really spent much time thinking about what they want to do with their business when the time comes for them to retire.
They might have a vague idea that one or more of their children will take over the business, but they haven’t thought about the financial or structural considerations associated with this.
Or they may say that they plan to sell the business. But ask them what value would an independent valuer put on it, or who would be interested in buying it, and they probably won’t be too sure.
But most business owners will say that they expect to receive some form of financial recognition for their business when they retire in order to fund their retirement. However what they need for a comfortable retirement and the true value of the business may be poles apart. Unfortunately, the value of the business isn’t “what I need for a comfortable retirement”.
These are the important considerations that business owners must address if they are going to hand over a profitable business in return for a sale price that makes it worth their while.
It can be relatively straight-forward for business owners to achieve their goals when they finally hand over control of the business – but it can’t be done in a matter of months.
No matter what the business owner’s goals, they will almost certainly require long term planning. Developing a succession plan – whether it is within the family or a sale to a third party will take time to put in place. It can’t be left to the last minute.
If the owner intends to hand it over to other family members, he or she needs to be sure they are capable of running it.
If the owner intends to sell the business to a third party, the value will be much less if the business still depends on the seller to operate it successfully.
Investor ready
What is required is to have the business ‘investor ready’ at all times. It doesn’t matter whether or not you are actually looking for an investor yet; having a business investor ready means that the owner has a wide range of options available at all times.
The business can be sold, an equity party can be bought in, expansions will be easier to achieve, all opportunities can be exploited in a more favourable way. And if anything were to happen to the business owner, the business is more likely to survive without them.
Indeed in an ideal world having the business investor ready should be achieved from the outset when you set up the business.
Selling to children
Passing on the business to the next generation is a dream for many business owners that can unfortunately become a nightmare. Business decisions become clouded by emotive issues; family interests may conflict; and the focus of a business decision may be shifted from what is best for the business to what is best for individual family members.
Furthermore, it is sometimes hard for the older generation to step aside at a suitable time to enable the younger generation to have the chance to learn while the older generation is still there, but without staying on longer than they should.
Business owners who cling to the hope that one day their child may want to take over should at least have the proper structure in place, both to encourage it to happen but also to ensure the business is not weakened if it doesn’t happen.
This could include ensuring you employ independent quality management so that the business can run without your involvement or that of the family.
Allowing this to happen, making the business independent, and withdrawing from the business yourself, may make it more appealing to your children to be involved. Thus your children may be tempted to become involved if they see they will be able to make a contribution.
Selling to employees
Few business owners think in terms of selling their business to their employees, either partially or completely. However, employee share plans are not just the domain of publicly listed companies, although small business owners need to be careful and watch the capital gains tax considerations.
But selling the business to employees is often an attractive option – particularly as it also motivates the employees in the years prior to the sell-out.
There are also a number of financing options available that can help employees with a management buy-out.
Selling to competitors
Often a competitor is likely to make the best offer for a business. Planning can help you make the business more attractive to competition.
Going public
Obtaining a public listing on the Australian Stock Exchange is another way for business owners to capitalise on their investment in the business.
However, seeking a public listing is not a short-term project and there are considerable costs involved. A long-term view must be taken by the business owner and they must be prepared for much greater public scrutiny of their business finances than they were ever used to before.
Simon James