Preparing for a business sale

A reputation & continuity planning checklist

Sample for review. General communications planning prompts, not legal, financial or transaction advice.

01 / The storyDescribe why a sale is being considered without overstating certainty.Clarify the intended outcome and the matters still open for discussion.Agree boundaries for confidential information with the deal’s advisers.

02 / Business continuityIdentify the questions customers may ask about service and continuity.Prepare manager guidance for employee questions within approved disclosure boundaries.Record the key relationships that need continuity through a change in ownership.

03 / Communication readinessConfirm the approval process for messages, spokespersons and external enquiries.Prepare a holding response for speculation, reviewed by appropriate advisers.Check that claims about the business can be substantiated before use.

04 / Transition planningMap the milestones between a proposal, agreement and completion.Assign owners for changes to customer, employee and partner communications.Schedule a review of stakeholder feedback after each material announcement.

What needs a closer look?

Use the unanswered questions as a starting point for a conversation.

Shape a conversation brief ↗