Architects & construction CONSULTANTS
Design Your Future
“The Business Exit Workshop”
are you an architect or A CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANT considering an exit or your succession plan ?
Many Architects, and Consultants in the construction sector, pour their heart and soul into their practice, building a legacy of design and service.
However, have you considered how to translate that hard work into personal freedom and wealth when the time is right?
The truth is, many business owners, including those in established practices, find it challenging to successfully sell their business.
Statistics show that less than 20% of companies listed by UK business brokers sell within three years.
Don't let the practice you've built with such dedication face uncertainty.
You need a clear plan to navigate your route to exit successfully
This focused 90 minute online workshop is specifically crafted for owners of Architects Practices who are thinking about their future, whether that involves eventual retirement, pursuing new passions, or simply understanding how to build a more valuable and resilient business.
Drawing upon the proven principles of the "Business Exit Checklist" and the expertise of Andrew Hartshorn in business exits, this workshop will provide you with actionable insights and a framework directly relevant to the unique aspects of running an architectural practice.
Introducing the Business Exit Workshop: Tailored specifically for Architects Practice Owners
COMMON ISSUES
-
If your business cannot operate effectively without the founder’s involvement in key areas like marketing, sales, and delivery, it creates significant execution risk. This dependency can jeopardise financial performance and the overall stability of the business.
Sophisticated investors are looking for a “well-oiled machine”—a business with the people, teams, and systems in place to succeed without heavy reliance on the founder. -
Is your leadership team effective as it could be in running day-to-day operations and delivering a growth strategy. You may be happy with the business just supporting your lifestyle but an investor will want to see longer term growth. Do you have talent gaps?
-
Most business owners quote the profits shown in their company accounts to determine the value of their company but do not adjust the profits based on the dividends.
-
This principle is called ‘transfer value’ It basically means an asset that can be quickly transferred to another owner without the business operation being interrupted with the revenue and profits being maintained.
-
Relying heavily on one or a small group of customers for the majority of your sales and revenue creates a significant vulnerability for your business. This is known as customer concentration risk.
osing one or two major customers—especially after an ownership transition—can have devastating consequences. It can severely impact revenue, disrupt financing, and significantly reduce the overall value of the business.
Sophisticated buyers will flag this as a major risk during due diligence, which can jeopardize a sale or result in reduced offers. Addressing customer concentration risk is critical to safeguarding your business's long-term stability and value.
Why is this workshop particularly important for Architects Practice owners?
Plan Your Future on Your Terms
Many architects approach retirement without a clear exit strategy. This workshop will provide clarity on how to start planning for your future and potential exit, allowing you to retire when you want, on your terms.
Understand Your Practice's True Value: While you excel at design, do you know how to assess your practice's value through the eyes of a potential buyer? We'll help you understand what makes your practice attractive and how to enhance its worth.
Transition from "Lifestyle" to Investable: Many Architects' practices operate as "lifestyle" businesses. Learn the key differences between this and an "investable business" and the steps you can take to increase its attractiveness for a future sale.
Build a More Efficient and Profitable Practice: Preparing for an exit isn't just about selling; it's about building a stronger business now. Discover how to streamline operations and improve profitability, making your practice more resilient and valuable.
Address Founder Reliance: Often, an architectural practice is heavily reliant on the founder. We'll discuss how to mitigate this risk and build a structure that can thrive independently, a crucial factor for potential buyers.
Prepare for the Sales Process with Confidence: Understand the steps involved in a business sale, from initial preparation to finding the right buyer, specifically considering the sensitivities of the architectural sector.
Key Benefits You'll Gain:
Architect-Specific Actionable Strategies: Practical steps tailored to the nuances of an architectural practice to begin preparing for a future exit.
A Relevant Framework for Evaluation: Understand the key areas that potential buyers of architectural practices will scrutinize.
Increased Clarity and Control: Gain the knowledge and insights needed to approach the potential sale of your practice with greater confidence and a clear plan.
Workshop Highlights
TOPICS INCLUDE
Understanding Your Practice
Assessing your practice's current state, financial health (even if you don't really know your numbers), operational efficiency, and unique value proposition in the architectural market.
Preparing for Sale
Learn how to enhance your practice's value by addressing key areas like team structure, documented processes (moving beyond reliance on the founder), and understanding the importance of contracts and intellectual property (if applicable).
The Sale Process & Beyond
Get an overview of initiating the sale, understanding business valuation for an architectural practice, negotiation considerations, and planning your next steps.
Q&A and Next Steps
Your opportunity to ask specific questions related to selling your architects practice and understand how to move forward.
Summary of key concepts and actionable steps specifically relevant to architects.
Discount code for Andrew Hartshorn's Route to Exit Framework: The blueprint for selling your business to create freedom and wealth", offering a broader perspective on the exit process which includes 30 modules and video instruction that enables you to execute the principles leant within 90 days.
Access to a private online forum for continued support and networking with other similar business owners.
VALUABLE FOLLOW UP RESOURCES
SECURE THE VALUE OF YOUR LIFE’S WORK
Don't wait until retirement is upon you to start thinking about your options. Make the decision to take control and build a more valuable and transferable architectural practice today.
Click the link below to secure your 90 min session.