What is Exit Preparation?
Exit preparation encompasses all strategic and operational measures that optimally prepare your business for a sale. Unlike a spontaneous sale, professional exit preparation ideally begins 12-24 months before the planned sale.
Thorough preparation enables you to address weaknesses, optimize value drivers, and bring the business into the best possible condition – before potential buyers scrutinize it.
Even without a specific sale date, exit preparation is worthwhile: you'll create a better, more valuable business.
+35%
Higher Sale Price
-40%
Shorter Sale Duration
12-24
Months Preparation
6
Pillars of Preparation
The 6 Pillars of Exit Preparation
Comprehensive preparation covers all areas that are decisive for buyers.
Financials & Reporting
- Clean bookkeeping and current P&L statements
- Separation of personal/business expenses
- Documented add-backs
- 3-year history with monthly details
Owner Independence
- Documented processes and SOPs
- Build strong management team
- Make customer relationships transferable
- Anchor knowledge within the company
Growth & Profitability
- Stabilize revenue growth
- Optimize margins
- Expand recurring revenue
- Reduce customer acquisition costs
Legal Protection
- Review and update contracts
- Secure and document IP rights
- Clarify compliance issues
- Standardize employment contracts
Risk Minimization
- Reduce customer concentration
- Diversify suppliers
- Reduce platform dependencies
- Address technical debt
Data Room & Documentation
- Prepare virtual data room
- Collect all relevant documents
- Prepare KPIs and dashboards
- Create confidential information memo
The Ideal Exit Roadmap
The earlier you start, the more room for action you have.
Strategic Analysis
Conduct Exit Readiness Assessment, identify weaknesses, create action plan. Discuss tax structuring with advisor.
Optimization
Strengthen value drivers, document processes, build management team, clean up finances. Gradually increase owner independence.
Sale Preparation
Build data room, conduct business valuation, create confidential information memo. Select and mandate M&A advisor.
Sale Process
Approach buyers, conduct negotiations, accompany due diligence, negotiate purchase agreement, complete closing.
Why Exit Preparation is Critical
Unprepared businesses are harder to sell and fetch lower prices.
Higher Sale Price
Well-prepared businesses achieve 20-50% higher multiples.
Faster Sale
Structured processes accelerate due diligence by weeks.
Better Negotiating Position
Documented strengths instead of weaknesses requiring explanation.
Fewer Deal-Breakers
Risks are identified and addressed early.
Road to Exit: The Program
We guide you systematically through all phases of exit preparation.
Assessment
Comprehensive analysis from buyer perspective
Action Plan
Prioritized roadmap with milestones
Implementation
Regular coaching sessions
Valuation
Professional business valuation
Sale
M&A support (optional)
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does exit preparation take?
The ideal exit preparation takes 12-24 months. During this time, you can clean up finances, document processes, increase owner independence, and optimize value drivers. For urgent sale needs, a compressed preparation of 3-6 months is also possible – though with less optimization potential.
What does exit preparation cost?
The cost for professional exit preparation varies depending on scope and company size. We clarify the exact effort and investment in an individual consultation. The initial consultation is free and non-binding.
Can I sell my business without preparation?
Yes, that's possible – but you're probably leaving money on the table. Unprepared businesses achieve on average 20-50% lower sale prices because buyers factor in risk premiums and there's less room for negotiation. The sale process also takes longer and fails more frequently.
What's the difference between exit preparation and M&A advisory?
Exit preparation takes place before the actual sale process and focuses on optimizing the business. M&A advisory guides you through the sale process itself: buyer search, negotiations, due diligence, and contract closing. Ideally, both complement each other.
When should I start exit preparation?
The best time is now – even if you don't have a specific sale date in mind. An exit-ready business is a better business: more profitable, less dependent on the owner, and better documented. This way you're prepared when an opportunity arises.
What is an Exit Readiness Assessment?
An Exit Readiness Assessment is a systematic analysis of your business from a buyer's perspective. It evaluates all relevant areas – finances, processes, team, legal, risks – and identifies strengths and areas for improvement. The result is a concrete action plan for value enhancement.
Start Your Exit Preparation
The first step to a successful exit is a conversation. Let's find out together where you stand and how we can help.
