Exit Planning Survey

Key considerations for preparing to transition from your founder or family-owned business

EXIT PLANNING SURVEY

HONEST CONVERSATIONS
SUPERIOR RESULTS

Please complete this Exit Planning Survey in preparation for your confidential conversation with a Cornerstone advisor. These answers will be used to inform the advisor on your company’s present state, and what your priorities will be during the whole or partial sale of your business.

Exiting your business will likely be the largest financial transaction of your life. Cornerstone wants that transition to be something you can be proud of – something that meets your financial needs, ensures your legacy, and sets your employees and your business up for success for many years to come.

Allow yourself enough time to complete this form to the best of your ability, typically 15-30 minutes, as this will help your conversation with an exit planning advisor will be more productive.

Step 1 of 5

Confidentiality Notice

After submitting this form, you will receive an email which will contain the answers you've provided to this survey as a copy for your reference.

Please ensure that the email address you provide for this survey is only accessible by those whom you are comfortable knowing about your intention to explore exit planning options.

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Phone

Save and Resume Later

Deal Priorities

In business transactions, rarely does either side get everything they want in a deal. That is why it is important to understand what you value most. In talking with sellers in the past 2+ decades, we have found that most sellers really don’t know what they truly want out of a sale or how they would prioritize different deal points.

Instructions

Please rank each of the following. “1” is the most important and “10” is the least important to you. There are no wrong answers — it is truly what matters to you. Each answer should have its own number, i.e. there should not be two #1s, etc.

Highest value overall

This means that you want as much money for your business as possible and all other deal points come second. You do not care as much about any other items including cash at close or structure. You will agree to a more creative structure, many times with a larger portion tied to the growth of the company or future performance.

Cash at close

You are willing to sacrifice overall consideration and willing to take less if you can get more cash at close. This is typically chosen by a seller who may be burned out or just needs a clean break and does not want to have an on-going relationship with the company or worry about payments being made to them. This may eliminate some buyers desiring a more creative structure.

Transition time frame/role

The role you want to transition into, and the time in which the buyer wants you to transition, is very important to you. You want to do what you are passionate about without having to worry about day-to-day operations. If you were to receive two offers, you would choose the offer with less money to have the lifestyle you want.

Ideal Transition Timeframe

Ideal Role After Divestiture

Protect employees

If this is high on your list, you are considering the future status of your employees and their continued employment with the company after the sale. Again, if you choose this as number “1,” you would take a lower offer if it were better for your employees.

Equity rollover

This allows you to divest shares of your company while retaining some equity. Your remaining shares will increase in value if everything works the way it should. You diversify your personal risk while giving the buyer the opportunity to build the company with their vision, contacts, resources, and capital. Ideally, when the business is sold a second time, your shares will be worth much more than when you sold initially. There is risk, like any contingent payment, that things won’t work out, but most buyers are vetted and have successful track records.

Legacy factor

This means it’s very important to you to see your business continue to be successful in future years. It also means the business name will most likely stay the same.

Closing date

If you are in a hurry to divest yourself of your business, finding a buyer who can close the deal soonest is important.

Best chance to close

This means choosing a buyer who may not give you the best deal but who will be most likely to close the deal.

Real estate

Buyer will buy or lease real estate at current location at a fair market value.

Compensation for role

This means it is important for you to get fair market (or above) compensation for your time as an employee or consultant to the company after the sale. This could include health insurance.

Save and Resume Later

Schedule an Exit Planning Conversation

If you are considering your exit options, we can provide the knowledge you need to reach your goals.

Schedule a confidential conversation with one of our advisors to discuss your current situation and next steps.

SCHEDULE A CONVERSATION

Exit Planning Survey

Key considerations for preparing to transition from your founder or family-owned business

EXIT PLANNING SURVEY

HONEST CONVERSATIONS
SUPERIOR RESULTS

Confidentiality Notice

Company Information

Gross Revenue

EBITDA

Deal Priorities

Instructions

SWOT Analysis

Additional Information

Schedule an Exit Planning Conversation

Exit Planning Survey

Key considerations for preparing to transition from your founder or family-owned business

EXIT PLANNING SURVEY

HONEST CONVERSATIONS SUPERIOR RESULTS

Confidentiality Notice

Company Information

Gross Revenue

EBITDA

Deal Priorities

Instructions

SWOT Analysis

Additional Information

Schedule an Exit Planning Conversation

HONEST CONVERSATIONS
SUPERIOR RESULTS