Why Most Businesses Aren’t Actually Sale‑Ready

Most owners think they’re close to ready. Buyers take one look and disagree. SME Exit Insights

Most SMEs aren’t sale-ready because they’ve only ever been viewed through the owner’s lens, not a buyer’s.

The Numbers Don’t Tell a Clean Story

Buyers don’t expect perfection. They expect clarity. Messy adjustments, odd VAT patterns, and creative accounting drop valuations instantly.

The Business Still Depends on the Owner

If the business collapses every time the owner steps away, the deal collapses too. Buyers want a machine, not a person.

There’s No Clear Growth Story

Buyers pay for tomorrow. If all you can talk about is “potential,” they assume none of it is real.

Key Risks Haven’t Been Addressed

Single big clients, weak contracts, old equipment and staff churn are deal grenades. Buyers spot them instantly.

No Exit Timeline

A proper exit needs preparation, not panic. A 6–24 month plan builds value and removes surprises.

A sale-ready business commands a stronger price, attracts better buyers and completes faster. Preparation pays. Every time.