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Re:I Sold My Startup for $25.5 Million by nostrademons on Friday June 06, 2014 @06:25PM (#7860564)
Well, most of that may be true, but then an even bigger picture is that if you've built a large & growing profitable business, there will always be another deal to try again, while if you're failing there's a good chance there won't even be this one deal. While it might be good to have the tactics in your back pocket for a sale with no negotiating leverage, it's much more productive to work on the fundamentals of the business so that there'll be another deal even if this one falls through.
Re:I Sold My Startup for $25.5 Million by larrys on Friday June 06, 2014 @07:25PM (#7860751)
Look if you've got a hot business with many people pursuing you the world is your oyster.

However most businesses, traditional ones, and even ones that are on the web, don't have that leverage. They will get literally one ready willing and able suitor who comes along (and will pay a good dollar) and so they will have to take advantage of that opportunity. I'm not talking about people accomplished enough to be able to hire investment bankers to shop their business.

It's not that I disagree that much with what you are saying and obviously you shouldn't spend a great deal of time on this either.

Lastly people tend to feel as if they could sell at any time maybe perhaps because they've had some inquiries from time to time.

Obviously there is no disagreement as far as working on the fundamentals of the business. Otoh if your intention is to sell there are many things you can do to package your business to make it more attractive to buyers along the way.