Why You Should Trust Us to Sell Your Business

Our databases contain more than 250,000 potential buyers. We invest in local SEM so buyers in your region can quickly find your business via our powerful search engine.

Via ONE.LINK, our broker teams can seamlessly coordinate each sales process, analyse the trends influencing business and conduct detailed research to determine buyer motivations.

You may not know the worth of your business, but our award-winning Valu.LINK tool does, by drawing on global sales data and precise algorithms, to provide an accurate appraisal.

Our brokers can bring their knowledge, experience and connections to particular sectors. They understand the challenges of your industry and successfully match buyers and sellers.

Our marketing tools and research have been fine-tuned through decades of effectively marketing businesses for sale: via targeted emails, networking, social media, web and advertising.

Our proven approach to successfully selling any business is based on experience and skilled negotiation. We also measure and inform you of all activity throughout the sales process.

All LINK brokers receive rigorous, industry-leading training. So you get sound, smart advice, supported by real world experience and the highest professional standards.

We're uncompromising in protecting your confidential information, and highly skilled at providing the facts a buyer needs, without disclosing identifying details or alerting competitors.

Selling Your Business

Start Here to Maximise the Sales Value of Your Business

When you own a business, you owe it to yourself to make sure you maximise its value, for yourself, your partners and your heirs. LINK has been selling businesses since 1946 and our network includes experts in selling specific industries, small businesses to large corporates.

When you approach LINK to sell your business, here’s what you get:

• Free, and completely confidential discussions and market value appraisal
• Access to a marketing network and tools, unmatched in the world
• Experienced Brokers with integrity who are motivated, committed and creative

 

Questions about Selling a Business

How does the negotiation process work?
When a buyer indicates they want to make an offer, this needs to be in writing and in the correct format.  Any verbal offers can become complicated, as they do not detail the terms and conditions of the offer.  As part of our service we prepare a Sale and Purchase Agreement using the Auckland District Law Society's Agreement (or equivalent territorial document), which details the offer being made, and the terms and conditions.  We will liaise between both parties in the process of negotiation to facilitate agreement between both parties.  In many situations we can recommend solutions to issues that may be of concern to either party.  As a business owner you need to ensure you are protected by having the right clauses in the agreement and it is advisable to seek professional advice.
How long is the business marketed for sale?
Most business owners want the sale of their business handled confidentially. For commercial reasons they don't want their competitors and suppliers to know they are selling. Once again this is the advantage of using a specialist business broker. We work with potential buyers through the various stages and you only meet with them at the final stages of the process. This leaves you to get on with business and keeps buyers away from calling or visiting you at work.
We will prepare a comprehensive marketing plan, a detailed Information Memorandum, advertising schedule, online marketing. In many cases we find buyers from our database of qualified buyers. If confidentiality is required, any advertising is of a generic nature and never identifies the particular business.
How long will it take to sell my business?
This will vary depending on the complexity of the business and the industry.  Normally, if all the information is available and the business is priced relative to the market for that type of business a sale should typically be concluded within 12 weeks.
What can I do to help sell my business?
Have all the information required ready and current.  Buyers want to know what is happening in the business currently along with any existing or future trends.  Have your accountant prepare up to date financial information.
What does an Information Memorandum include?
We prepare a comprehensive Information Memorandum on your business. This will typically include:


1. Background of the business, highlighting opportunities for a buyer and the reasons for the sale. 
2. The sale process and description of assets etc. 
3. The historical financials, trading to date and comment.
4. An appraisal. 
5. Operational matters. 
6. Information on premises, including details of lease. 
7. Appendices including marketing material, plant and equipment schedule, etc.

This is prepared in draft format first for approval by the vendor.
What information do I need to prepare my business for sale?
It is important that you have all the right information and details available before you start to market the business.  A business well prepared for sale will sell more quickly.

As part of our service we will assist you in the preparation of this information and once again it needs to be presented in the right way with the right information. This information is also required to establish the selling price for the business and certain calculations need to be made to work out the true net profit of the business.  Items you should have available are:
1. Profit and Loss accounts from the previous 2 to 4 years.
2. Identify and quantify abnormal and/or non-recurring costs in accounts.
3. Identify all items of personal and drawings nature.
4. Copies of internal accounting reports for year to date and/or GST returns if available.
5. Copy of the Lease.
6. Brochures or information on your product or service.
7. Background on the business.
8. Staff details.
9. List of plant and equipment and any equipment leases.
10. Copy of franchise agreement if a franchise business.

Like many small business owners you will probably have to search out these items and some may need to be updated.  Make sure the financial information is current and accurate.  If you're selling half way through the year you could get your accountant to prepare half-year accounts for the purpose of selling.
What is my business worth?
This is a very important aspect of selling your business and probably the most contentious.  There will be many views on what constitutes value.  Sellers will have one view, buyers another, accountants another, etc.  There are multitudes of formulations, all of which produce different figures depending on who you're talking to.


It is important to recognise the price range your business is likely to sell in.  If you're unrealistic it won't sell and you and likely buyers will become very frustrated. You could also be harming the prospects of a sale sometime in the future.  If you're too low, then obviously you miss out or create suspicion.
Businesses sell in an open market that is with a willing buyer and a willing seller.  The market determines the price – the true value.

When we meet with you we will gather detailed information on your business and then present you with a Market Appraisal.  This gives you the price range we expect your business to sell for on the open market.  This is not a valuation and cannot be used for that purpose.

For a formal valuation appraisal and opinion, many business owners use LINK to have a written opinion prepared on their business and establish the price range. This is useful in the case of one partner wanting to buy out the other partners, a management buyout or valuation for family estate planning. 
When is the best time to sell my business?
We will schedule a meeting to discuss the specifics of your business and your personal plans for exiting from it. With our experience in business sales we can prepare an exit strategy for you, taking into account factors that will be instrumental in finding the right buyer at the right price for your business.

After we have an understanding of your business we will make suggestions on strategies that may be of benefit to you in the preparation of your business for sale. Buyers will be looking for certain things when considering your business and our recommendations can make the difference in effecting a quicker sale at a better price.

 

Recommended Reading for Sellers



How Long Will It Take to Sell My Business

Exiting your business is a complicated process but rushing it can be costly. It takes time to find the right buyer and go through the process of finalising the sale. If you're looking to sell, you'll want to know what to expect along the way, and potentially how to speed things along without...

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Normalising Your Accounts

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Don't Steal From Yourself When Selling Your Business

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Preparing for the Negatives

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Waiting Too Long to Sell Your Business

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One of the biggest mistakes you can make when planning to sell your business is not keeping the plan secret. Staff, customers, and sellers have built relationships with you, and many people don't like change. Rumours that ownership is changing hands, can have staff looking for new jobs, sellers ...

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Seeking an Unrealistic Appraisal of Your Business' Value

Pricing is crucial to selling your business. The right price draws in buyers, but the wrong price turns them away. Many owners make the mistake of overpricing their business. An unjustified value can make buyers walk away — for good. And if buyers walk away, your business is sitting on the mar...

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How to Sell A Business Quickly

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Read This If You're Planning on Selling Your Business

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Seven Steps to Prepare Your Business for Sale

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Who Should Be On Your Sales Team

Selling your business is a big undertaking. You’ve spent many long hours, over months and years, building a successful enterprise. It’s important to be well-compensated for all the time, energy and stress you’ve put in, and that means it’s important to choose the right team t...

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How to Use Your Marketing Budget to Facilitate a Successful Business Sale

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Best Foot Forward. How to Sell Your Business

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Traps to Look for When You Sell the Business

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Selling A Childcare Business

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How to sell an online business

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How to sell a business fast

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How to position your business for sale and achieve maximum value

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Key Considerations when Selling a Multi-Divisional SME Business: Break it Up or Sell Whole?

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Read more articles on selling in our Knowledge Centre.