Jeff Saling is a start-up founder and early stage public company executive with more than 25 years’ experience. Since 1998, Jeff has been part of successful startup exits with 3 IPO’s and 1 private sale.
As an executive, Jeff’s experience includes running worldwide sales, professional services, SaaS operations, and product development. As a founder / angel, Jeff’s experience includes three B2B SaaS cloud companies and 1 business / tech incubator.
How to assess if you did a successful exit strategy?
A thorough analysis of many different elements and considerations is necessary to determine whether the business exit plan was successful.
The accomplishment of financial goals is a crucial factor to take into account. Comparing the actual exit results—such as the sale price or revenue—with the original objectives established is how this is done. You may examine whether the exit plan was effective by looking at the return on investment (ROI) and reviewing whether the financial outcomes meet expectations.
Another important factor is the timing and market conditions surrounding the exit. The effectiveness of the strategy can be determined by analyzing whether you took advantage of favorable market conditions. It shows that you maximized the worth of your investment and exited on time if you were able to execute the exit during a time of strong demand or peak valuation.
Additionally, it is important to evaluate stakeholder satisfaction. Take into account the needs and goals of the involved partners, customers, employees, and shareholders. Analyze whether their requirements were met, whether the transition went smoothly, and whether their interests were safeguarded.
Another important component is the accomplishment of strategic objectives. Consider whether leaving helped you to reallocate resources, concentrate on key capabilities, seize new opportunities, or address strategic challenges. A successful strategic move would be one in which the exit complemented your long-term business objectives and set you up for future expansion or success.
Finally, compare your chosen exit plan with other options that you had. Check to see if the chosen approach produced better results than alternative exit options. Think about whether you made the best choice based on the available options and whether the selected course of action produced the best overall result.
