Frequently Asked Questions

The "perfect" moment rarely exists — but favourable conditions do: strong earnings, high market activity in your sector, personal life planning and regulatory stability. We recommend starting the process at least two years in advance to ensure optimal preparation.

Selling too early costs value; selling too late costs options. A confidential initial conversation helps assess where you stand right now.

Thorough preparation saves time and increases the sale price. Key documents include:

• Financial statements for the last three years
• Current management accounts (P&L, balance sheet)
• Employee headcount and employment contracts
• Customer lists, order volumes and ongoing contracts
• Lease and rental agreements, licences, regulatory approvals

We guide you through the structured preparation of these documents as part of our Exit Readiness analysis.

A structured M&A process typically takes six to twelve months — from the initial valuation to signing. In more complex transactions or extended Due Diligence phases, it can take longer.

With professional preparation and a clear process, the timeline can often be significantly reduced. Adams Strategy manages the entire sequence and keeps the process firmly on track.

Business value depends on several factors: revenue, EBITDA, growth rate, sector, customer retention, employee structure and the current acquirer market. Common valuation methods include the EBITDA multiple approach, the capitalised earnings method and comparable transactions.

We prepare a well-founded initial assessment based on your key financials — free of charge and without obligation as part of the initial consultation.

A high sale price results from the interplay of a realistic valuation, targeted acquirer outreach and a structured competitive bidding process. If you have only one potential acquirer, you have no negotiating leverage.

We approach qualified acquirers discreetly, create competitive tension and guide the price negotiation strategically — with the objective of achieving the best possible outcome for you.

A good acquirer brings three things: financial capacity, genuine strategic interest in your business and respect for what you have built — your employees, your customers, your culture.

We identify acquirers who can not only pay but who are also a genuine fit. This increases the probability of completion and protects your business legacy.

Due Diligence (DD) is the structured examination of your business by the acquirer — typically after the Letter of Intent (LOI) has been signed. It covers financials, legal matters, taxation, contracts and operational aspects.

Adams Strategy prepares you specifically for Due Diligence and manages the process on the vendor side, ensuring there are no unnecessary delays and that your negotiating position is preserved throughout.

Absolute confidentiality is the highest priority in every M&A process. Premature disclosure can unsettle employees, customers and competitors — and jeopardise the sale entirely.

At Adams Strategy, prospective acquirers are contacted exclusively with your consent and under NDA. Neither employees nor competitors are informed of the sale in advance.

We work predominantly on a success-fee basis: no completion, no fees. A success fee is payable exclusively upon signing. The initial consultation is free of charge and without obligation.

This model ensures that our interests are fully aligned with yours — we earn only when you achieve a successful outcome.

Acquirers today place more importance than ever on retaining employees and securing operational continuity. The skilled-labour shortage makes well-established teams a valuable component of the business.

Employment guarantees and transition arrangements can be contractually enshrined in the sale and purchase agreement (SPA). We pay close attention during the acquirer selection process to ensure your team is respected and secured over the long term.

This depends on the acquirer and the business structure. Many acquirers prefer a handover period of six to twenty-four months during which you provide operational support and transfer knowledge. Some acquirers take over a business on a fully autonomous basis.

We clarify these expectations early in the process — so you know precisely what you are committing to before you are bound by any agreement.