Should a Seller Stay after Selling a Business?
I sold my business now what?
Selling a business and walking away can be very difficult. But in many cases, there’s a transition after selling a business (“training” and/or “consulting”) period dependent on the size of the company and the role of the owner. Transitions may be as short as a month or two or as long as a year. In most situations, the buyer wants the seller to remain on board to shorten the learning curve and help with the smooth transfer of key relationships.
Transition after selling a business
In the typical business sale, a smooth transition period of four to eight weeks is included, and sometimes a “telephone consulting period” is added (e.g., 6 months of telephone consulting not to exceed 5 hours per month). Also, the seller may additionally be retained as a consultant at a negotiated rate. In some instances, a long-term employment contract is negotiated and the seller maintains daily involvement for a much longer period of time.
For the owner who wants to sell the company and leave quickly, the focus should be on the development of a strong management team. Be sure to introduce key employees/managers to your major customers and vendors and look at ways to delegate responsibilities. The more the customers think they are interacting with “the company” versus the “owner” the easier the transition.
If you’ve established a good management team, less time will be required for the transition to the new owner. In addition, a well-developed team usually adds value to the sale.
Staying on after selling business
Occasionally some owners want to sell but just aren’t ready to quit working. They may be looking to sell early to get a premium price while the market is in their favor or to get away from unwanted or overwhelming administrative and management duties.
Either way, long-term employment contracts can be included in the sale agreement. The seller can stay on board and work with the business for a few more years while still drawing an income and benefits.
If you’re selling your business, in most cases you won’t be able to walk away the day after the sale and in most cases, you probably don’t want to. Talk to your business intermediary about the true timeline of the sale and transition. It’s not uncommon for owners to sell while the price is right. If you’re not quite ready to leave immediately, consider the options available and maintain a role with the company.
If you have a question about selling or buying your business, give Andrew a call today at (916) 570 2674.
This article is reprinted as a courtesy of the International Business Brokers Association® (IBBA.) IBBA is the largest international, non-profit association operating exclusively for the benefit of people and firms engaged in the various aspects of business brokerage and mergers and acquisitions. IBBA® has 1,950 members worldwide.
