From Assessment to Action: Your Strategic Exit Planning Roadmap
From Assessment to Action: Your Strategic Exit Planning Roadmap
You’ve completed your exit planning assessment. Now what?
Many business owners stop at understanding their current value. The truly strategic ones use that assessment as a blueprint for systematic preparation.
The Assessment-to-Action Transformation
Understanding Your Starting Point
Your recent assessment revealed more than just a number. It provided a comprehensive snapshot of your business’s current state, including:
Precise market valuation
Operational readiness
Potential value enhancement areas
Strategic exit timeline options
This isn’t just data. It’s your strategic preparation roadmap.
The 90-Day Preparation Sprint
Phase 1: Financial Clarity (Days 1-30)
Objective: Transform your financial documentation from “acceptable” to “exceptional”
Key Actions:
Conduct a comprehensive financial audit
Eliminate personal expenses from business financials
Create clear, buyer-ready financial reporting
Work with CPA to optimize tax positioning
Develop 3-year financial projection model
Metrics to Track:
Cleaned financial records
Reduced tax liability
Improved profit margin visibility
Phase 2: Operational Independence (Days 31-60)
Objective: Reduce owner dependency and create scalable systems
Key Actions:
Document all critical business processes
Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Cross-train key team members
Create management succession plan
Implement performance management systems
Metrics to Track:
Percentage of processes documented
Number of cross-trained employees
Management team performance indicators
Phase 3: Strategic Positioning (Days 61-90)
Objective: Enhance business value and market attractiveness
Key Actions:
Analyze customer concentration risks
Develop strategies to diversify revenue streams
Identify and mitigate potential buyer concerns
Build competitive intelligence report
Create growth narrative for potential buyers
Metrics to Track:
Customer diversity ratio
Revenue stream diversification
Competitive positioning score
Building Your Advisory Dream Team
Strategic exit preparation requires a coordinated team:
1. CPA/Tax Strategist
Optimize financial reporting
Develop tax-efficient exit strategies
Identify potential tax liabilities
2. M&A Advisor
Market valuation insights
Buyer network access
Transaction structure guidance
3. Attorney
Legal structure optimization
Contract and liability protection
Transaction document preparation
4. Wealth Manager
Post-sale financial planning
Investment strategy development
Tax-efficient wealth preservation
5. Business Coach/Strategist
Operational improvement guidance
Leadership development
Change management support
Common Preparation Pitfalls to Avoid
Pitfall 1: Waiting for Perfection
Preparation isn’t about creating a flawless business. It’s about systematic, meaningful improvements.
From Assessment to Action: Your Strategic Exit Planning Roadmap
The Assessment-to-Action Transformation
Understanding Your Starting Point
The 90-Day Preparation Sprint
Phase 1: Financial Clarity (Days 1-30)
Phase 2: Operational Independence (Days 31-60)
Phase 3: Strategic Positioning (Days 61-90)
Building Your Advisory Dream Team
1. CPA/Tax Strategist
2. M&A Advisor
3. Attorney
4. Wealth Manager
5. Business Coach/Strategist
Common Preparation Pitfalls to Avoid
Pitfall 1: Waiting for Perfection
Pitfall 2: Inconsistent Effort
Pitfall 3: Isolation
Tracking Your Progress
The Psychological Dimension
Your Continued Learning Path
Investment vs. Return
Decision Season Continues
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