The Golden Rules of a Management Buyout: When it is time for a business owner to move on, a management buyout (MBO) is often the best solution. Instead of finding someone externally to take the reigns, an MBO involves management pooling resources to step up and take charge. This can work well, but there are a few key principles that are essential for a successful management buyout.
What is An MBO?
Essentially, a management buy out is a transaction where the management team will purchase the assets and operations of the business that they currently manage. This usually occurs when the current owners are looking to sell whether this is because they are retiring or moving on to a new challenge. So, what are the keys to a successful MBO?
Build a Strong Management Team
There are benefits to management taking over, but a strong management team is needed if this is to be successful. Management needs to have a strong understanding of the business, target market and operations so that they can step up and take the business forward without the current shareholders.
Prepare For Discussions
Following this, you need to be able to win over investors if you want to step up and take the helm. This means that management need to prepare for these discussions, which should include outlining what the future of the business is and what the key value drivers are. Crucially, you should also be aware of what the current weaknesses and challenges are and show clear plans to overcome these.
Have a Clear Business Plan
A strong business plan must also be available that clearly outlines what the future holds for the business. It is the future that the investors are investing in, so it is important that they are able to clearly see what direction the business is travelling in and what is needed to help the business achieve its goals and reach new heights.
Prepare Financial Documents
It is also important to have the financial documentation in place to facilitate an easy handover and for an accurate valuation. Cash flow, quality earnings and the balance sheet should be in order so that a fair figure for the buyout can be agreed upon and so that you can get a clear overview of the business’s financial health.
An MBO is often the best solution when a business owner is moving on, but you need to make sure that these golden rules are followed for a successful handover.