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The Jockey, the Horse & Your Company Value

Will your team excite your future company acquirer?

The title of this post is a well-known expression within the acquisition community. And we’re in a period where this expression is especially true and needs to be on your radar screen as a private business owner and CEO.

To achieve your future, euphoric exit event, you’ll need to present a business to an acquirer that excites them. Having interest in your business is one thing. But to get an acquirer to pay you a premium value for your business, you’ll need to ensure that your business is ready with the right business model (the horse) AND with the right team (the jockey) as well. Acquirers buy company’s looking for capabilities and the talent behind it. Especially today, when access to talent is such a challenge for so many employers. Acquirers will be drawn to your business due to its capabilities but will fall in love with it if your team is one they can build upon.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself about your team and its readiness to excite a future acquirer:

  • My team can operate my company successfully even if I’m not available to them for a few weeks or even months?
  • My team has key managers with strong backgrounds and job experience to perform their roles effectively?
  • My team is passionate about delivering a great customer experience and outcome for those that purchase our products and services?
  • My team has the right people, especially in key leadership positions, that can help this company scale to the next level of profitable growth?
  • I'd be proud to present my team to an acquirer?

These questions could go on but are just a few to get your wheels turning. If you answered no to any of them, now is the time to step back and think about what’s needed to address the gaps. Use time as your friend in terms of building a solid team that will excite your future acquirer.  You might be focused each day on the horse but make sure you are building the jockey as well.

Use Greenpoint Testing to Achieve Your Desired Exit Valuation

It only takes 106 questions, scanning 10 essential business functions, to stress test your readiness for a successful exit.

However, these questions require thoughtful commitment to achieve your desired exit valuation.

During this up to hour-long online testing, you'll see questions such as the following.

Sample Question 02

After internalizing each question, select among three answer options – Agree, Unsure and Don’t Agree – choosing the answer which best describes you and your business.

Then, complete the Greenpoint questionnaire to unlock your personalized report, which will reveal any gaps in your planning, pointing to the action steps needed to maximize your desired exit valuation.

Format: Digital

Delivery method: Email

Report included: Your Greenpoint results

Stethoscope Frees You to Work On Your Business, Beyond In It

120 questions, scanning 10 essential business functions, free you to work ON your business, rather than solely IN your business.

With each question requiring thoughtful commitment to identify opportunities to further your success.

During this up to hour-long digital Q&A, you'll see questions such as the following:

Sample Question 02

After internalizing each question, select among three answer options – Agree, Unsure and Don’t Agree – choosing the answer which best describes you and your business.

Complete the Stethoscope questionnaire to unlock your personalized report, which will expose gaps [if any] in your planning, and tips for future growth, resulting in action steps needed to maximize your thinking as a business leader.

Format: Digital

Delivery method: Email

Report included: Your Stethoscope results

Be Ready for The Probe of Due Diligence

109 questions, scanning 10 essential due diligence disciplines, to prepare for a roadblock free Probe of your business in anticipation of sale.

And to potentially increase the value of your business by your professional transparency.

With each question requiring thoughtful commitment to identify opportunities to further your success.

During this up to hour-long digital Q&A, you'll see questions such as the following:

Sample Question 02

After internalizing each question, select among three answer options – Agree, Unsure and Don’t Agree – choosing the answer which best describes you and your business.

Complete the Probe Diagnostic Tool questionnaire to unlock your personalized report, which will expose gaps [if any] in your planning for a due diligence Probe, resulting in action steps needed to maximize your readiness when diligence is due.

Format: Digital

Delivery method: Email

Report included: Your Probe results