Exit planning: Why founders shouldn't wait to plan their sale

By RfM Transform

27 Feb 2024

HR Trends from RfM Transform (4).png.png

One area often overlooked until it looms on the horizon is Exit Planning. Far from being a sign of giving up on your business, a well-crafted exit strategy is the cornerstone of every successful small business.

You can think of having a strategy as being similar to renovating a house - not just immediately before you sell but while you live in it, enhancing its value over time and ensuring it's in prime condition when you decide to move on.

Beyond Valuation: Shaping Your Business for the Future

A common misconception is equating exit strategies with business valuation and market listing. While understanding your business's worth is important, an effective exit strategy delves much deeper, focusing on enhancing your business's intrinsic value and operational independence.

At RfM Transform, our Exit Strategy is designed to not just to guide you to the door but ensure that the door opens to the best possible future for you and your business. It's about meticulously preparing your business to thrive, even in your absence.

The Foundation of an Effective Exit

  • Benchmarking for Excellence: Utilising our proven methodologies, we benchmark your business against the best in its class. This not only highlights the key areas of strength but, more importantly, identifies opportunities for improvement.
  • Clarifying Your Vision: Understanding what you want from an exit is essential. Is it financial gain, or are you looking to secure a legacy? Our personalised advisory approach ensures your goals are front and centre in the planning process.
  • Strategic Timeline Planning: Whether your exit is planned for one, three, or five years, having a clear timeline is essential. It allows for the implementation of strategic improvements and sets a realistic timeframe for achieving your business and personal objectives.

Operational Independence: The Key to a Lucrative Exit

A business overly reliant on its founder is a business at risk. Part of our strategy involves developing a framework where your business operates efficiently without you. This means investing in your team, streamlining your processes, and ensuring the business can sustain its growth independently. This autonomy not only increases the attractiveness of your business to potential buyers but also secures its long-lasting legacy.

Why Start Now?

Beginning your exit planning well in advance offers several tangible advantages:

  1. Maximises Business Value: It allows time to implement strategies that can significantly increase your business's worth.
  2. Reduces Dependence: Gradually reduces the business's reliance on you, making it a more attractive and viable proposition for buyers.
  3. Peace of Mind: Provides clarity and confidence about the future, for you, your employees, and your successors.
    Embarking on Your Exit Journey

At RfM Transform, our Business+Booster Exit Planning is more than just a service; it's a partnership. We're here to ensure that when you're ready to take that step towards a new chapter, your business is primed for success, ensuring a profitable and successful exit.

If you're thinking about an exit, don't wait until it's too late to start planning. Contact RfM Transform for a consultation, and let's chart the course to a successful exit together.

Latest news

1

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year John Jones

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year

03 Jul 2025

2

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth Additive manufacturing technology unit At Airframe Designs

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth

03 Jul 2025

3

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud James Cole

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud

03 Jul 2025

4

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector Mo Isap Chair Of The Lancashire Business Board Nick Miles National Cyber Force Deputy Director For Samlesbury Annette Weekes Representative Of The NWRDSC

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector

03 Jul 2025

5

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire BAE Systems Radar

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire

02 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin