Forte Consulting Group
SMB Transition Process (High Level)
Nine stages, in order. Read each row left to right, then down. The longer explanation of each stage is on the guide.
Get Ready
Know where the business stands before it goes to market.
Understand What It's Worth
A defensible value, based on your actual numbers.
Prepare Your Story and Materials
Financials, a narrative, and a confidential summary.
Go to Market, Confidentially
Qualified buyers, without the business finding out.
Field Interest and Narrow It Down
Serious, funded, and the right fit.
Due Diligence
The buyer verifies what you've presented.
Financing and Structure
How you actually get paid gets finalized.
Closing
Agreements signed. Ownership transfers.
Transition
A deliberate handoff, not an abrupt exit.
- 1
Get Ready
Know where the business stands before it goes to market.
- 2
Understand What It's Worth
A defensible value, based on your actual numbers.
- 3
Prepare Your Story and Materials
Financials, a narrative, and a confidential summary.
- 4
Go to Market, Confidentially
Qualified buyers, without the business finding out.
- 5
Field Interest and Narrow It Down
Serious, funded, and the right fit.
- 6
Due Diligence
The buyer verifies what you've presented.
- 7
Financing and Structure
How you actually get paid gets finalized.
- 8
Closing
Agreements signed. Ownership transfers.
- 9
Transition
A deliberate handoff, not an abrupt exit.
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