770.715.3337      [email protected]      Schedule a Call

Seller Registration     |     Buyer Registration     |     NDA

logologologo
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Process
    • Why I wrote the book on Being a Business Broker
    • Who is Ed Legum?
    • Getting Started
    • Careers
  • Selling
    • Seller Registration
    • How To Sell Your Business
    • Valuation
    • Industries
    • Download Free Whitepaper
    • Financing the Deal
    • Seller FAQ
    • Sellers Blog
  • Buying
    • Buyer Registration
    • How To Buy A Business
    • Financing the Deal
    • Buyer FAQ
    • Buyers Blog
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Process
    • Why I wrote the book on Being a Business Broker
    • Who is Ed Legum?
    • Getting Started
    • Careers
  • Selling
    • Seller Registration
    • How To Sell Your Business
    • Valuation
    • Industries
    • Download Free Whitepaper
    • Financing the Deal
    • Seller FAQ
    • Sellers Blog
  • Buying
    • Buyer Registration
    • How To Buy A Business
    • Financing the Deal
    • Buyer FAQ
    • Buyers Blog
  • Contact
logologologo
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Process
    • Why I wrote the book on Being a Business Broker
    • Who is Ed Legum?
    • Getting Started
    • Careers
  • Selling
    • Seller Registration
    • How To Sell Your Business
    • Valuation
    • Industries
    • Download Free Whitepaper
    • Financing the Deal
    • Seller FAQ
    • Sellers Blog
  • Buying
    • Buyer Registration
    • How To Buy A Business
    • Financing the Deal
    • Buyer FAQ
    • Buyers Blog
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Process
    • Why I wrote the book on Being a Business Broker
    • Who is Ed Legum?
    • Getting Started
    • Careers
  • Selling
    • Seller Registration
    • How To Sell Your Business
    • Valuation
    • Industries
    • Download Free Whitepaper
    • Financing the Deal
    • Seller FAQ
    • Sellers Blog
  • Buying
    • Buyer Registration
    • How To Buy A Business
    • Financing the Deal
    • Buyer FAQ
    • Buyers Blog
  • Contact
March 18, 2015 by Edmond Legum Blog, Buyer Articles, Seller Articles 0 comments

Family Businesses

A recent study revealed that only about 28 percent of family businesses have developed a succession plan. Here are a few tips for family-owned businesses to ponder when considering
selling the business:

  • You may have to consider a lower price if maintaining jobs for family members is important.
  • Make sure that your legal and accounting representatives have “deal” experience. Too many times, the outside advisers have been with the business since the beginning and just are not “deal” savvy.
  • Keep in mind that family members who stay with the buyer(s) will most likely have to answer to new management, an outside board of directors and/or outside investors.
  • All family members involved either as employees and/or investors in the business must be in agreement regarding the sale of the company. They must also be in agreement about price and terms of the sale.
  • Confidentiality in the sale of a family business is a must.
  • Meetings should be held off-site and selling documentation kept off-site, if possible.
  • Family owners should appoint one member who can speak for everyone. If family members have to be involved in all decision-making, delays are often created, causing many deals to fall apart.

Many experts in family-owned businesses suggest that a professional intermediary be engaged by the family to handle the sale. Intermediaries are aware of the critical time element and can help sellers locate experienced outside advisers. They can also move the sales process along as quickly as possible and assist in negotiations.

Keeping it in the Family

It’s hard to transfer a family business to a younger kin. Below are some statistics regarding family businesses.

  • 30% of family businesses pass to a second generation.
  • 10% of family businesses reach a third generation.
  • 40% to 60% of owners want to keep firms in their family.
  • 28% of family businesses have developed a succession plan.
  • 80% to 95% of all businesses are family owned.
Source: Ted Clark, Northeastern University Center for Family Business

© Copyright 2015 Business Brokerage Press, Inc.

Photo Credit: naomickellogg via morgueFile

bbp
Two Similar Companies ~ Big Difference in ValuePrevious Post
The Devil May Be in the DetailsNext Post

Phone: 770.715.3337
Email: [email protected]

© Copyright 2023 Edmond Legum Business Broker & Advisor|Site Design by Deal Studio
© Copyright 2023 Edmond Legum Business Broker & Advisor|Site Design by Deal Studio