How Time Off Reveals a Well-Run Business

My seller couldn’t make a call happen with a buyer, but it turned out to be a good thing.

This was a business that attracted a lot of interest over a very short period last spring.

New inquiries were coming in daily, with buyer-seller calls and a few visits already scheduled.

The individual who ultimately acquired the business had to wait a week before the owner could hop on a call.

But it was a for a good reason.

The owner was on vacation, taking a week to relax with his wife. He knew that once an offer was accepted, the grind of Due Diligence would begin, and it would be tough to get away until after closing and the transition were complete.

Some buyers get upset in situations like this. They want immediate access to the seller and view any delay as a red flag.

I strongly disagree.

Change your perspective, and you’ll see this as a major green flag for the business.

The owner was confident enough in his business and his team to step away for a week and recharge.

Of course, he kept his phone nearby for emergencies and checked his emails occasionally, but his team had everything handled.

This is exactly what you want to see in a business. It reaffirms that you are buying a business, not a job.

Let me know what other green flags you look for when analyzing a business.