Due-Diligence - Exit Ready Advisors

Exit Strategy, Planning, and Readiness 22 min read

Process Management - How Organized Sellers Support Better Outcomes

Professional transaction processes signal organizational quality and influence buyer perception. Learn frameworks for managing deals that support stronger pricing.

Dec 28, 2025

Buyer and Seller Relations 25 min read

The Growth Story - Convincing Buyers the Best Is Ahead

Build credible growth narratives that help buyers understand your forward trajectory through evidence-backed positioning and realistic expectations

Dec 27, 2025

The Glassdoor Problem - Managing Your Reputation Pre-Exit

Learn how employee reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed influence buyer due diligence and discover strategies to strengthen your employer brand before selling

Dec 27, 2025

The ERP Question - How Systems Maturity Signals Organizational Capability to Buyers

Learn how your ERP and operational systems affect buyer perception during due diligence and what technology infrastructure signals about scalability

Dec 27, 2025

Industry-Specific Advice 22 min read

Food and Beverage M&A - Managing FDA Compliance and Recall Risk

How food and beverage companies can prepare for buyer scrutiny of FDA compliance, product liability exposure, and recall history to protect deal value

Dec 27, 2025

Building a Business Buyers Actually Want - The 17 Critical Factors That Drive Premium Valuations

Discover the specific factors that make businesses attractive to buyers and command premium multiples in today's M&A market

Dec 27, 2025

The Politics of Your Weekly Meeting - What Sophisticated Buyers See That You Don't

Why buyers request attendance at routine meetings during diligence and what interpersonal dynamics may reveal about post-acquisition risk

Dec 26, 2025

Business Valuation 17 min read

The EBITDA Add-Back Lie Everyone Tells - Why Aggressive Adjustments Backfire

Learn why aggressive EBITDA add-backs damage credibility with sophisticated buyers and how to present realistic earnings normalization that survives due diligence

Dec 26, 2025

Due Diligence 24 min read

Insurance Archaeology - Uncovering Historical Policies for Legacy Liability Protection

Learn how to locate and document historical insurance policies that may protect against long-tail liabilities and strengthen your M&A due diligence position

Dec 26, 2025

Due Diligence 22 min read

Environmental Liability - The Hidden Deal-Killer in Industrial Transactions

How hidden environmental liabilities derail industrial M&A deals and preparation strategies that protect transaction value

Dec 26, 2025

Written Communication Discipline in Transactions - Protecting Your Position During Deal Negotiations

Master written communication discipline during business transactions to prevent liability exposure and maintain negotiation leverage throughout your exit

Dec 25, 2025

Cultural Fit and Leadership 22 min read

Why Culture Fit Is Code for Red Flags We Found

Decode what buyers really mean when they raise culture concerns during M&A negotiations and learn how to address the underlying organizational signals

Dec 25, 2025

The Hidden Value of Clean Financials - How Audit-Quality Books Boost Buyer Confidence and Valuations

Learn how upgrading financial statements signals organizational discipline and can improve your business valuation through reduced buyer risk perception

Dec 25, 2025

Due Diligence 22 min read

The 100-Day Diligence Sprint - What Sellers Must Know Before Signing the LOI

How to prepare for and survive the intense due diligence phase between signing a letter of intent and closing your business sale

Dec 25, 2025

Due Diligence 22 min read

Mastering Inventory Observation - A Due Diligence Guide for Manufacturing and Distribution Businesses

Learn how inventory observation procedures reveal operational discipline and balance sheet accuracy during buyer due diligence

Dec 25, 2025

Legal and Compliance 21 min read

Lease Assignment - The Landlord Problem That Can Derail Your Exit

Learn how lease assignment restrictions complicate business sales and discover strategies for early landlord engagement to prevent deal delays

Dec 25, 2025

Legal and Compliance 21 min read

IP Chain of Title - Securing Ownership Before Your Exit

Learn how to prove IP ownership with proper documentation and avoid deal delays during due diligence when selling your business

Dec 25, 2025

Competitive Positioning - Differentiation Without Disparagement

Master competitive positioning by articulating your advantage credibly while avoiding criticism that undermines seller credibility or creates legal exposure

Dec 25, 2025

Weakness Handling - Strategic Disclosure That Builds Buyer Confidence

Learn when proactive weakness disclosure builds buyer trust versus when careful presentation serves your interests during business sale negotiations

Dec 24, 2025

Toxic Positivity Is a Red Flag for Acquirers - Why Buyers Distrust Organizations Where Disagreement Is Suppressed

Sophisticated buyers probe for authentic organizational culture during due diligence. Learn why toxic positivity signals dysfunction and what healthy disagreement looks like.

Dec 24, 2025

The LOI Isn't a Commitment - It's an Opening Bid

Understanding LOI mechanics and retrading patterns helps sellers negotiate terms that survive due diligence intact

Dec 24, 2025

Remote Work Policies as Cultural Signals - What Buyers Learn About Your Management Philosophy During Due Diligence

Your approach to workplace flexibility reveals trust levels and adaptability that sophisticated buyers evaluate when assessing acquisition targets

Dec 24, 2025

Due Diligence 20 min read

Privacy and Data - The New Diligence Frontier

How CCPA, GDPR, and state privacy laws create M&A transaction risks. Assess and improve your privacy compliance before buyers scrutinize it.

Dec 24, 2025

Cultural Fit and Leadership 23 min read

Passive-Aggressive Management Is Visible in Your Financials - How Buyers May Decode Cultural Dysfunction

Learn how passive-aggressive management can create financial patterns that sophisticated buyers investigate during due diligence and how to address issues

Dec 24, 2025

Communication and Marketing 24 min read

Marketing Infrastructure - Building Transferable Growth Systems for Exit Success

Build marketing systems that transfer with your business to improve buyer confidence. Learn frameworks for sustainable demand generation and realistic timelines

Dec 24, 2025

LinkedIn Activity and Leadership Stability - What Buyers May Notice Before Making Offers

Your leadership team's LinkedIn activity can signal flight risk to some buyers during due diligence. Learn to monitor digital signals thoughtfully.

Dec 24, 2025

Industry-Specific Advice 25 min read

Healthcare Services - The Compliance Intensification

Healthcare regulatory complexity shapes deal structure and valuation for service business exits between $2M and $20M revenue

Dec 24, 2025

Forecasting for Diligence - The Projections Buyers Actually Believe

Build credible financial projections that survive buyer scrutiny using bottoms-up modeling frameworks that separate believable forecasts from fantasy

Dec 24, 2025

Evaluating Exit Planning Advice - When Conventional Wisdom Serves You and When It Doesn't

Learn to distinguish exit planning advice that serves your interests from guidance shaped by advisor incentives and industry conventions

Dec 24, 2025

Contracts vs Handshakes - Why Documentation Matters for Revenue Quality

Learn why buyers often discount handshake deals and how formalizing customer agreements can protect revenue quality during exit due diligence

Dec 24, 2025

Business Valuation 21 min read

Churn - The Silent Value Destroyer

Learn how customer churn compounds into valuation impact and why retention metrics matter for business exits

Dec 24, 2025

Buy-Side Financing Risk - The Loan That Kills Deals

Learn how buyer financing fails between signing and closing and discover frameworks to assess buyer capability and structure deals that reduce financing risk

Dec 24, 2025

When Your Accountant Knows More Than Your CFO - Why External Advisor Dependency Concerns Acquirers

External advisor dependency signals capability gaps that worry buyers. Build internal competence demonstrating organizational self-sufficiency before exit.

Dec 23, 2025

Executive Succession Dynamics in M&A - How Leadership Team Positioning Affects Deal Outcomes

Senior executives positioning for post-acquisition roles can complicate M&A transactions. Learn detection strategies and alignment approaches for unified leadership.

Dec 23, 2025

Due Diligence 24 min read

Data Room Disasters - The Files That Kill Deals

Documentation gaps during due diligence trigger retrading and walk-aways. Learn what buyers expect and how to address gaps before they become deal killers

Dec 23, 2025

Buyer and Seller Relations 20 min read

The Site Visit - Choreographing First Impressions That Close Deals

How facility tours shape buyer perception and strategic preparation frameworks that create authentic positive impressions during site visits

Dec 22, 2025

The Disclosure Schedule Marathon - How to Survive Deal Documentation's Most Demanding Phase

Master the disclosure schedule process in M&A deals with preparation frameworks and strategies to manage this intensive documentation requirement efficiently

Dec 22, 2025

The Customer Who Only Talks to You - Why Founder-Dependent Relationships Threaten Deals

Learn how to convert founder-dependent customer relationships into institutional ones before exit to protect deal value and ensure successful transactions

Dec 22, 2025

The B Player Problem - Why Mediocre Managers Tank Your Company Value

Learn why tolerating mediocre managers signals dysfunction to acquirers and how to identify and address B players before they derail your exit

Dec 22, 2025

Business Valuation 21 min read

Tech-Enabled Services - Distinguishing Real Tech Value from Service Operations

Learn how buyers evaluate technology claims and whether your tech creates competitive advantage or just supports people-dependent operations

Dec 22, 2025

Business Valuation 23 min read

Quality of Earnings - The Report That Shapes Your Sale Price

Learn how quality of earnings reports impact your sale price and what you need to know to prepare

Dec 22, 2025

Operational Metrics Buyers Actually Use - Industry-Specific KPIs That Drive Valuation

Learn which operational KPIs matter most to buyers in your industry and how to present performance data that builds confidence

Dec 22, 2025

The Working Capital Deep Dive Buyers Will Do - What Every Seller Must Know

Learn how buyers analyze working capital in M&A deals and prepare your business for the scrutiny that determines closing adjustments

Dec 21, 2025

The Information Balance - Strategic Disclosure in Business Transactions

Navigate information disclosure in M&A transactions with a staged framework that balances buyer requirements against competitive protection

Dec 21, 2025

The Hit by a Bus Audit - Identifying Single Points of Failure Before Buyers Do

A framework for identifying key person dependencies and making informed decisions about which warrant investment versus deal structure solutions

Dec 21, 2025

The Facilities Audit - How Deferred Maintenance Costs Affect Your Business Valuation

Learn how deferred maintenance affects business valuation and discover frameworks for addressing facility condition concerns before your exit

Dec 21, 2025

Permit and License Inventory - Essential Guide for Business Transfers

Learn how to inventory permits and licenses to ensure business operations survive ownership changes without costly interruptions

Dec 21, 2025

Due Diligence 19 min read

Audited Financials in M&A - When Third-Party Verification Pays Off and When It Doesn't

Understand when audited financial statements are critical in M&A transactions and when alternative verification methods may suffice

Dec 21, 2025

Due Diligence 14 min read

The Due Diligence Checklist Every Seller Needs

Prepare your comprehensive due diligence package before buyers request it. Accelerate deal timelines, boost buyer confidence, and protect your valuation.

Dec 4, 2025

5 Red Flags That Kill Business Sales Before Closing

Discover 5 red flags that kill business sales—and how to fix them before buyers walk away. Protect your company's value.

Dec 2, 2025

The Preparation Gap - Why Business Sales Fail and What Separates Successful Exits From the Rest

25-40% of professional business sales fail due to preparation gaps, not market conditions. Learn what separates successful exits from terminated deals and how to build true exit readiness.

Dec 1, 2025

The Hidden Cost of Time-Based Retention - Why Stay Bonuses Leave Money on the Table

Stay bonuses retain employees but not engagement. Phantom equity aligns payouts with sale price. Learn which retention approach fits your business sale.

Nov 21, 2025

Exit Planning 44 min read

LOI vs Purchase Agreement - Understanding the Difference

Confused about deal documents? Learn what's binding, what's negotiable, and how to protect your interests in LOIs and purchase agreements.

Nov 18, 2025

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Latest Articles

Process Management - How Organized Sellers Support Better Outcomes

The Growth Story - Convincing Buyers the Best Is Ahead

The Glassdoor Problem - Managing Your Reputation Pre-Exit

The ERP Question - How Systems Maturity Signals Organizational Capability to Buyers

Food and Beverage M&A - Managing FDA Compliance and Recall Risk

Building a Business Buyers Actually Want - The 17 Critical Factors That Drive Premium Valuations

The Politics of Your Weekly Meeting - What Sophisticated Buyers See That You Don't

The EBITDA Add-Back Lie Everyone Tells - Why Aggressive Adjustments Backfire

Insurance Archaeology - Uncovering Historical Policies for Legacy Liability Protection

Environmental Liability - The Hidden Deal-Killer in Industrial Transactions

Written Communication Discipline in Transactions - Protecting Your Position During Deal Negotiations

Why Culture Fit Is Code for Red Flags We Found

The Hidden Value of Clean Financials - How Audit-Quality Books Boost Buyer Confidence and Valuations

The 100-Day Diligence Sprint - What Sellers Must Know Before Signing the LOI

Mastering Inventory Observation - A Due Diligence Guide for Manufacturing and Distribution Businesses

Lease Assignment - The Landlord Problem That Can Derail Your Exit

IP Chain of Title - Securing Ownership Before Your Exit

Competitive Positioning - Differentiation Without Disparagement

Weakness Handling - Strategic Disclosure That Builds Buyer Confidence

Toxic Positivity Is a Red Flag for Acquirers - Why Buyers Distrust Organizations Where Disagreement Is Suppressed

The LOI Isn't a Commitment - It's an Opening Bid

Remote Work Policies as Cultural Signals - What Buyers Learn About Your Management Philosophy During Due Diligence

Privacy and Data - The New Diligence Frontier

Passive-Aggressive Management Is Visible in Your Financials - How Buyers May Decode Cultural Dysfunction

Marketing Infrastructure - Building Transferable Growth Systems for Exit Success

LinkedIn Activity and Leadership Stability - What Buyers May Notice Before Making Offers

Healthcare Services - The Compliance Intensification

Forecasting for Diligence - The Projections Buyers Actually Believe

Evaluating Exit Planning Advice - When Conventional Wisdom Serves You and When It Doesn't

Contracts vs Handshakes - Why Documentation Matters for Revenue Quality

Churn - The Silent Value Destroyer

Buy-Side Financing Risk - The Loan That Kills Deals

When Your Accountant Knows More Than Your CFO - Why External Advisor Dependency Concerns Acquirers

Executive Succession Dynamics in M&A - How Leadership Team Positioning Affects Deal Outcomes

Data Room Disasters - The Files That Kill Deals

The Site Visit - Choreographing First Impressions That Close Deals

The Disclosure Schedule Marathon - How to Survive Deal Documentation's Most Demanding Phase

The Customer Who Only Talks to You - Why Founder-Dependent Relationships Threaten Deals

The B Player Problem - Why Mediocre Managers Tank Your Company Value

Tech-Enabled Services - Distinguishing Real Tech Value from Service Operations

Quality of Earnings - The Report That Shapes Your Sale Price

Operational Metrics Buyers Actually Use - Industry-Specific KPIs That Drive Valuation

The Working Capital Deep Dive Buyers Will Do - What Every Seller Must Know

The Information Balance - Strategic Disclosure in Business Transactions

The Hit by a Bus Audit - Identifying Single Points of Failure Before Buyers Do

The Facilities Audit - How Deferred Maintenance Costs Affect Your Business Valuation

Permit and License Inventory - Essential Guide for Business Transfers

Audited Financials in M&A - When Third-Party Verification Pays Off and When It Doesn't

The Due Diligence Checklist Every Seller Needs

5 Red Flags That Kill Business Sales Before Closing

The Preparation Gap - Why Business Sales Fail and What Separates Successful Exits From the Rest

The Hidden Cost of Time-Based Retention - Why Stay Bonuses Leave Money on the Table

LOI vs Purchase Agreement - Understanding the Difference