Your company's valuation isn't decided at the negotiating table: it is built beforehand, with organized finances, risks under control and a good story to tell. This checklist brings together the proactive actions to structure the business and maximize its value, each with practical guidance on how to get started.
What's inside
- Organize your finances and documents: financial statements generated by your ERP, tax documentation in order and a monthly closing routine with your accountant.
- Know your market and its multiples: industry benchmarks and multiples such as EV/EBITDA for comparable businesses.
- Show growth and predictability: documented sales history, a defined business plan and a model that can scale.
- Reduce risk and debt: tax and labor compliance, formalized revenue and debt restructuring.
- Strengthen intangible assets (moat): customer loyalty, a stronger brand and documented processes.
- Prepare a pitch: a presentation of up to 10 slides, big numbers and projections in three scenarios.
Who it's for
- Business owners considering selling the company, raising investment or bringing in a partner.
- Managers who want to increase the company's value even without a transaction in sight.
How to use it
Check off what is already done and turn each pending item into a task with a deadline. Start with finances and documents, which support every other block, and review the checklist regularly until the company is ready to negotiate.
