1. Reduce, Reuse, Cash Cycle - In a recent study of 1,500 U.S. and European companies, cash of $2.5 trillion was tied up in excess working capital – over and above the level required to execute the companies’ defined business strategies.  

2. Promote the Moat - Assessing how the organization provides value in key target markets provides insight into the company’s competitive advantage. A durable competitive advantage sets the stage for a loyal customer base, promising organic growth, and margin protection. 

3. Systemize to Optimize - If role descriptions, organizational meetings and reporting structures, and performance measurement processes are not in-place, organizations tend to lose sight of the strategic vision. 

4. Decentralize to Maximize - When the time comes for the owner to depart from a centralized business, serious risks regarding customer retention, replacing deep industry and operating expertise, and lack of management decision-making ability/experience require a lower-risk pricing framework. 

5. Bulletproof Your Roof - Well-devised exit plans have a framework outlining processes to deal with inevitable uncontrollables. Bulletproofing the exit plan pushes the transaction team to efficiently assess and address threats on a case-by-case basis. 

6. Prepare Because You Care - A strategic exit plan is incomplete without considering key parties, such as dedicated employees, trustworthy suppliers, loyal customers, and the community. Considering affected parties and creating a robust plan is a best-practice way to show you care. 

7. Align The Design - One of the most important steps in the exit planning process is identifying why an owner is looking to exit. Aligning the reason for exit with the ultimate transaction may increase the likelihood of achieving the owner’s targeted deal structure.