By definition, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a qualified retirement plan (like a 401(k)) that buys, holds and sells company stock for the benefit of the employees, providing them with an ownership stake in the company. Selling to an ESOP has a number of benefits as well as complications.

We found a great site that can enlighten would-be business sellers about the process: ESOP Partners. You can start here by reading the benefits of an ESOP: http://esoppartners.com/benefits-of-an-esop/

Then we picked a few articles to get started with exploring this option for selling your business:

• The Benefits of a Preliminary ESOP Valuation
• Selling to an ESOP Improves Corporate Performance
• S Corporation ESOPs Benefit Workers, Business, and the Economy
• Selling to an ESOP Enables a Business Owner to Defer/Avoid Taxation
• Selling to an ESOP Enables a Business Owner to Sell While Retaining Control of the Company

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We’ve outlined a four-step process to help you decide which exit option is best for you. This process will ensure that your exit options are consistent with your personal goals and take into account the realities of your company and the current marketplace. 

Tags: selling a business, ESOP, exit strategy

In today’s recommended reading, John Warillow, author of Built to Sell outlines seven reasons it makes sense to sell your business now.

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Guest Post from www.taxplanning.com that explains the three major factors that exist to provide you with a substantial value for your business.

Tags: business valuation, taxes, selling a business

There's a wrong way, a right way, and a profitable way to create an exit strategy from your small business. Tags: Untagged

If you are considering buying a business, here are 12 reasons that it makes sense to use a broker or agent rather than go it alone.

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In an enlightening post from John Warillow, author of Built to Sell: Turn Your Business into One You Can Sell, the business expert highlights four unconventional truths for those considering selling their business.

Tags: advice, negotiation, selling a business

Thinking about selling your business next year? Remember to consider the tax implications that could cause you to lose money or face penalties from the sale.

Tags: tax planning, selling a business, selling, taxes

Calhoun Companies, the leading business brokerage firm in the Midwest, was recently recognized as a founding member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Minnesota and North Dakota’s Century Club.

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If you are planning on selling your business, one of your top priorities should be to make sure you are positioned to get the best offer. Serious buyers recognize a valuable opportunity when they find it, so it is up to you (and your broker) to make sure that your business looks like a good investment in every way possible.

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What's the real value of your business?

If you're looking to sell a business, it's critical to look at the value of the business. But a typical business really has two values. The "academic" value is the one determined by a professional business valuation. The other is the "true market" or "fair market" value. The academic value is arrived at with a formula based on the firms' hard assets, cash flow, industry averages and multiples. The fair market value also takes those items into consideration, but then considers what buyers are really willing to pay.

Tags: business valuation, seliing a buisness, fair market value

Any business owner who has sold a business on his of her own will tell you it's a long, tedious and stressful process. It takes time away and distracts you from the day to day operation of your business. When your focus should be on maintaining or increasing the value of your business, all of your time and energy is directed to the sale process. That's where an experienced business broker can pay huge dividends.

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