A successful exit typically represents the culmination of moving through a business lifecycle that is focused on continuous improvement, investment and growth.
We have been advising businesses since 1879 and continue to work hand in hand with our clients to ensure they are receiving the best possible service and advice. This experience has enabled us to produce proven, effective strategies that are ‘match fit’ for the modern business lifecycle.
The last two years have been challenging for businesses and as we emerge from the pandemic we salute how well companies continue to adapt to ever-changing times.
Despite these trials, many clients have continued to press forward with ambition and purpose and we have seen an increase in clients looking for assistance with investment, acquisition strategy and exit strategy preparation. We perceive that there are four key steps in the business lifecycle, broken down as follows:
Improve
Improvement comes from within the business and must be continually monitored and addressed in order for progress to be demonstrated. We recommend that clients focus on the key issues to drive profit and growth. The more we speak with our clients and work alongside them within their business, the simpler it is to provide solutions and opportunities for continued improvement. The key to this stage is understanding what needs to be measured within the business that has the greatest overall impact on performance.
Waste management can be a key factor in the improvement stages. Waste is not just seen within manufacturing, it is seen across all sectors and can be related to a number of areas such as time management, overproduction, ineffective processing and unnecessary motions. By monitoring and managing these aspects of a business, clients can effect changes to increase business output and in turn profit.
Furthermore, from a structural perspective there are opportunities at this stage to review business structures, strategic planning and business operations in order that the business structure is future proof.
Invest
Once areas of improvement have been ascertained, we work closely with our clients to establish a clear investment strategy which will incorporate the newly improved measures. Investment can be undertaken by incorporating both human and capital investment. We directly appreciate the challenges companies are currently seeing in recruitment. Many businesses are looking within their existing team to help expand the business, through leveraging off existing external connections. Through our accredited business coaching we have assisted the development of existing employees for new roles with their workplace. Over the last two years, we have also seen noteworthy opportunities to obtain significant levels of funding and we continue to work closely alongside our clients to capitalise on this opportunity.
Growth
Naturally, improvement and investment will become the driving force behind organic growth, however, acquisitive growth offers great opportunities to benefit from synergies, along with the possibility of strategically acquiring to obtain additional skillsets and resources. Our expertise has allowed our clients to identify, structure, finance and implement their acquisitions to meet strategic goals whilst mitigating risks. Making the right, targeted acquisition should deliver strategic success as well as increased financial performance.
Exit
An exit from a business is a complex and detailed process that most business owners will only do once in their lifetime. Therefore, the key to success is to obtain advisors that you feel comfortable with and who have experience of transactions of this nature. A lot of clients have numerous questions about the exit process when they start considering selling the business that they have worked so hard to build up and maintain. Our view is always to provide as much guidance as possible in these early stages and to allow clients the time they need to consider to whether an exit is right for them at that point. Our significant experience in business sales has allowed us to provide guidance before, during and after the sales process to deliver our clients’ version of success.
Regardless of where you are in your business life-cycle, we have the experience and expertise to assist you in reviewing your options and goals.
Contact Ollie Newbold for more information by emailing corporatefinance@randall-payne.co.uk or call 01242 776000.
