Run this before you talk to a single buyer, banker, or broker.
CLARITY
[ ] Can I explain in one sentence what creates transferable value in my business?
[ ] Does my team know what we’re optimizing for this quarter?
[ ] Do I know what “winning” looks like at my next evolution?
AUTONOMY
[ ] Does every recurring task have a clear owner and a documented process?
[ ] Can my leadership team run weekly meetings without me?
[ ] Can key functions run without me for 90 days?
[ ] Are decision rights explicit – short lists, no confusion?
TRANSFERABLE VALUE
[ ] Are financials clean, current, and audit-ready?
[ ] Have I eliminated single-point dependencies on me or any one person?
[ ] Are systems, client data, and IP organized and exportable?
[ ] Are brand, contracts, and culture built to survive leadership changes?
PROOF
[ ] Have I run a 3-Month Nest Test and survived it?
[ ] Is my top customer under 15% of revenue?
[ ] Is 60%+ of revenue on retainer or subscription?
[ ] Is the data room current – ARR, cohorts, SOPs, KPIs?
RED FLAGS
[ ] Letting a legal advisor become my business strategist
[ ] Selling a business that works for me instead of one that works for a buyer
[ ] Brute-forcing growth when buyers pay for transferability
[ ] Going to market without a four-week vacation test
Can’t check every box? You’re not ready to sell.
Every result comes from a process.
No process = no result.
For a second opinion, schedule a 5-minute Systems Check.