From the moment you first meet the buyer s executives, begin to evaluate their character and management style. It s always wise to be very careful during the selling process about who you climb into bed with. After an acquisition, most buyers will want you to stick around so they can take advantage of your experience and expertise. So envision your life with them after the sale. I d say it s a lot like marrying for money.
Nobody wants to marry a creep.
Ideally, the most attractive offer you ll receive will be from people who show you respect, value your judgment and will grow your company beyond your wildest expectations. Time your sale for maximum profit . In other words, never sell only when you feel like it. When earnings are reaching record levels and next year looks more promising, most owners are not thinking about selling. Yet, when owners least want to sell, their companies may command the highest value.