One day you’ll decide to sell your company. You dream of a simple transaction that leaves your employees happy, your buyer positioned for success, and your bank account bulging. Unfortunately, the reality is that the exit process is fraught with roadblocks and – even when successful – often leaves money on the table. The sale of your business will be one of the most stressful events in your life. Don’t get blindsided.

Whether you’re seeking general guidance or looking for specific, constructive descriptions of the sale process for mid-sized companies, this essential guide contains proven strategies that will significantly improve your odds of successfully selling your business. Written in a conversational tone, Acquired will provide you with sound advice based on time-tested results from my 20 years in the trenches selling businesses in a variety of industries. I wrote it specifically for owners of companies with revenue from $10 to $100 million – or companies with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $2 million to $10 million per year.

This book is different. Acquired isn’t about selling fast – it’s about selling smart. In these chapters, I offer recommendations that even the busiest entrepreneurs can apply in their hectic lives. And while this book speaks directly to sellers, anyone involved in the M&A process – buyers, attorneys, accountants, and business appraisers – will benefit from the observations and advice that’s included.

A successful entrepreneur may exit a handful of companies in their lifetime. Even that experience pales in comparison to corporate buyers who close deals all the time. Without decades of experience in mergers and acquisitions, sellers often don’t have the tools they need to get the best results for themselves, their teams, or the new parent company. The information in Acquired will help you level the playing field.

Much of the information available out there isn’t geared toward mid-sized businesses. The theoretical knowledge that’s out there is rarely applicable to actually selling a business. Acquired is specifically written for mid-size business owners. This book is loaded with useful, actionable tips and proven strategies on the art and science of selling a mid-sized company.

Acquired goes into detail about what happens behind the scenes when selling a middle-market business. In reading it, you will:

• Explore the universe of potential buyers for your particular business.
• Learn how to assemble a team of expert advisors to prepare and sell your business.
• Walk step-by-step through the mid-market sale process from start to finish, seeing how it is typically led by an investment banker and team.
• Find out where deals get into trouble, how to create alignment between negotiating parties, and what terms you should care about most.
• Discover how to win in both the short and the long term, maximizing your price while positioning your company for a legacy you can be proud of.

You’ll learn practical rules, strategies, and tactics before you get in the game and then discover how to effectively position your company to achieve your best possible exit. Acquired will give you a comprehensive insider’s look at mid-sized businesses and teach you how to apply those lessons to your sale. Are you ready for the roadmap that leads to your ultimate payday? Let’s go.