Preparation is often the difference between a smooth transaction and a problematic one. Whether buying or selling, the work you do before engaging with the other party matters.
For sellers: Preparing your business for sale
Buyers pay more for businesses that are ready for sale. "Sale-ready" means organised records, clean structures, documented processes, and no obvious problems waiting to be discovered.
Sale preparation checklist:
- Financial records organised and audited if appropriate
- Contracts, leases, and agreements assembled and reviewed
- Employment arrangements documented and compliant
- Corporate structure reviewed and optimised
- Known issues identified and addressed where possible
- Key person dependencies reduced or documented
For buyers: Defining what you are looking for
Successful acquisitions start with clear criteria. What size of business? What industry? What geographic focus? What price range? What deal structure will work for your financing?
Acquisition readiness:
- Clear acquisition criteria defined
- Financing arrangements understood or pre-approved
- Internal capacity to manage due diligence and integration
- Advisory team identified and ready
- Board or stakeholder approval process understood
Why early legal involvement matters
Many business owners only engage lawyers after they have shaken hands on a deal. This is a mistake. Early involvement means we can:
- Help structure the transaction optimally
- Identify issues before they become deal-breakers
- Review preliminary documents before you commit
- Advise on negotiation strategy from the outset
- Coordinate with other advisers effectively
Confidentiality considerations
Business sales require confidentiality. Employees, customers, suppliers, and competitors should not know until the right time. Early disclosure can damage the business and the deal.
We help establish confidentiality frameworks, including non-disclosure agreements that protect you and controlled information release processes.
Common mistake: Talking too early
Business owners often mention a potential sale to staff, suppliers, or customers before the deal is certain. This can destabilise the business and weaken your negotiating position. Keep discussions confidential until there is something certain to announce.
What we do at this stage
We help you prepare for the transaction - whether that means getting your house in order as a seller, or ensuring you are ready to move quickly as a buyer. Preparation work pays dividends throughout the process.