If we only had a nickel for each time we’ve heard our clients say something to the effect of “why didn’t I do this years ago”, our piggy bank would be quite full. “This”, of course is the process of engaging an experienced and value-added intermediary. By their very nature, entrepreneurs generate much of their success by being resourceful and finding ways to do things that lie outside their expertise without spending precious resources. Sometimes, however, that mentality can be counterproductive and costly. When it comes to protecting and maximizing the value of your business, for example, the benefits of retaining a seasoned intermediary far outweigh the costs. So why should you use an intermediary:

• Think of a good intermediary as an experienced navigator that can provide independent, confidential, multi-disciplinary expertise with one ultimate objective: your personal goals.
  
• A quality advisor will provide expertise in such areas as financial analysis, company valuation, memorandum preparation and presentation, setting the strategy for value maximization, approaching and qualifying prospective buyers and investors, negotiating and evaluating offers, ensuring proper legal and tax counsel is in place, facilitating due diligence, negotiating documentation, facilitating closing, and assisting in the post-transaction transition and integration process.
  
• A seasoned advisor or intermediary recognizes that no one element makes a transaction right. Rather it is a collective number of issues that make for a good transaction, and those respective issues must be consistent with the client’s personal goals, quality of life, and vision of the future.
  
• A business owner’s expertise is managing their business, and it’s vital that this expertise is not compromised in the process of preparing and facilitating the sale of your business. The significance of recognizing the value of your business through a sale of the company warrants expert attention. Find someone with dedicated expertise in this area.
  
• In most transactions, the other party to the transaction will have expert advisors. To protect your interests, you should too.
  
• The fact is that most merger & acquisition transactions attempted without an advisor don’t close. Experienced financial advisors get deals done!