The Flaw in Traditional Exit Planning Advice
Most exit planning or "sale readiness" advice is deeply flawed.
It is often insular, failing to look at the business through the eyes of a potential buyer. There is very little attention paid to the most critical questions: Who are the natural buyers of my business, and why would they actually be interested?
This leads to generic value-improvement plans that list the entire universe of theoretical ways to fix a business, completely overlooking three important realities:
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Time and Capacity: What time does the current owner actually have to make these improvements and see a positive impact on the bottom line?
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Risk vs. Reward: What is the risk involved in making these changes compared to the potential financial benefit?
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The "Hold" Scenario: What if you don’t end up selling? Do these improvements still make the business easier to run and more profitable for you today?
While almost most businesses can be improved, effective exit planning cannot just be a laundry list of instructions. Our advice factors in the reality that SME owners are constrained by time, capital, energy, and expertise.
The Key Drivers of Business Value
Different futures require different priorities. We tailor your improvement plan based on the specific outcome you are pursuing:
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If the likely buyer is a strategic acquirer: The plan might focus on improving market position, reducing customer concentration, upgrading systems, and building management depth.
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If internal succession is likely: The plan might focus on leadership development, financing structures, and mapping a gradual transition.
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If you just want to step back: The plan might focus on reducing owner dependence, tightening governance, and boosting management capability.
Our work to help you increase value and improve sellability is based on a deep understanding of four pillars:
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Your Numbers: We identify, discuss, and prioritise where the biggest bottom-line improvements can be made, based on a line-by-line review of your financials.
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Your Personal Capacity: We agree on what you and your team can realistically deliver, and where you might need external specialist advice.
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Your Timeline: We work out together what is actually possible in the time you have.
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Your Potential Buyers: We reverse-engineer who the most likely buyers are and their strategic rationale for buying.
You’ll end up with an actionable, highly prioritized plan. If you need specialist advice to execute it, we’ll point you in the right direction.
Same business. Different future. Different priorities.
Is Stage 2 the Right Alignment for Your Timeline?
If you’re ready to hit the "sell my business now" button, VSD Stage 2 is probably not the right fit.
This stage works best for owners who want to actively work on their business to increase value and improve sellability, so they are in a confident position to hit the sell button within the next 12 to 24 months.
At the completion of VSD Stage 2, you will be:
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On a realistic, structured path to increasing your commercial value.
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Focused purely on the areas where you add the most value to your business.
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Clear on who your most likely buyers are and how to deal with them.
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Fully prepared for the scrutiny of a sale process.
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Confident about your financial future—whether you sell or not.
Your Value-Optimisation Deliverables
To fully support your implementation, your deliverables include:
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A 10–12 page written report detailing your strategy.
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Detailed Business Value Improvement Plan (including industry benchmarking where available).
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Comprehensive 'Getting Sale Ready' Plan (with a prioritised action list).
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2x One-Hour Strategy Sessions (covering findings and how to action your planning).
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Qualified Buyer List
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Targeted, costed advertising program.
the investment
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Timeframe: A structured 4 to 6 week deep-dive engagement.
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Cost: $6,950 + GST (Fixed Fee)