An effective Letter of Intent can set the tone for the entire dealmaking process with a specific buyer. Knowing the right time for you to strategically exit your business can be tricky, but it’s ultimately your decision to make. It’s always better to sell during an increase in sales and profitability. However, other considerations, such as health, can come into play.
Many business owners, after years of dedication, express feelings of burnout during exit planning conversations. They might say they’re “done” or feel they’ve given everything they can to the business. As you prepare to sell your business, assembling the right team becomes crucial to securing the best offer and terms possible. Your team includes your Sell Side Advisor, your M&A Attorney
and your accountant or CPA generally can and does include your spouse. All should be working hand in hand to ensure a smooth flowing process where you are confident in the result the team will help you produce. Part of that smooth flowing process should include alignment on what a win looks like.
At Burgeoning Enterprises, we have found executing a LOI (Letter of Intent) signed by both parties to be an important part of the process of selling your business. Once you have selected an offer, and it’s not a step we suggest skipping. Irrespective of the fact that an LOI is not binding, it’s important for several reasons. Our sales process requires both a Letter of Intent (LOI) and Proof of Financing.
A well-crafted Letter of Intent (LOI) outlines key expectations for the Asset Purchase Agreement. By carefully reviewing the LOI, you can gain valuable insights into the buyer’s intentions regarding the provisions that will be included in the final agreement. It also begins the process of establishing goodwill between the buyer and seller. Establishing goodwill can show that the buyer is in fact financially qualified to make the acquisition.
In our opinion, the more detailed the LOI (Letter of Intent), the better. Early identification of potential negotiation hurdles is crucial for a smooth transaction. A well-crafted Letter of Intent (LOI) can help both buyer and seller understand these sticking points early on. This allows both parties to assess the feasibility of resolving friction points. It can also help to determine if their positions are irreconcilable and potentially jeopardizing the deal.
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