Case Study: Reviewing and preparing an Organisation for Sale, leading to internal transformation.

Organisational Review Process and Preparation for Sale

Organisational Chart

oBJECTIVE/cHALLENGE

The directors of a company were eager to sell their organisation but were unsure where to begin. They required expert guidance to prepare the organisation for sale. The client was referred to me to help review the organisation and get under the hood, understanding its current state and identifying necessary changes to position the organisation for a successful sale.

During the review process, three key issues emerged as significant challenges to the business's readiness for sale.


First, the level of director involvement (or lack thereof) was a critical concern. The directors had either been too deeply embedded in day-to-day operations, making the business overly dependent on their presence, or they had taken a hands-off approach, leading to gaps in oversight and leadership.


Second, the company culture required attention. There were inefficiencies in team cohesion, decision-making processes, and accountability structures that needed to be addressed to create a more resilient and autonomous workforce.


Lastly, a detailed financial assessment revealed unnecessary and unmeasured spending within the business. Several operational expenses lacked proper oversight, leading to inefficiencies that impacted profitability. Addressing these areas was crucial in enhancing the company's overall value and appeal to potential buyers.

01    Initial Review and Understanding

  • Conducted a thorough review of the organisation to understand its current state.


  • Identified what needed to be changed, adjusted, eliminated, or implemented to bring the organisation to a saleable position.


02 Weekly Consultations

  • Worked with the client on a weekly basis, providing consistent support and guidance.


  • Periodic breaks were scheduled to allow the clients to gather data, implement surveys, or make necessary improvements.


03 Quarterly

Reviews

  • Conducted quarterly reviews to assess progress and measure how far the organisation had come.


  • Reviewed gathered data and discussed further tweaks needed on the existing changes.

04 Executive & Team Coaching

  • Provided coaching support to directors and staff, ensuring clear communication on decisions while fostering a psychologically safe environment for collaboration.


  • Introduced structured team coaching in months 8 and 9 to enhance creativity, issue resolution, and overall organisational effectiveness.

05 Embedded a Culture of Wins

  • Encouraged directors to share personal or business-related wins in each meeting, reinforcing the positive impact of organisational changes on their work-life balance.


  • By month 6, the “Wins” concept was integrated into weekly team meetings, fostering a culture of recognition, leadership by example, and strengthened organisational trust.

06 Financial Review and Cost Optimisation

  • Conducted a detailed financial assessment to identify and eliminate unnecessary and unmeasured spending within the business.


  • Implemented a structured cost-control strategy, ensuring financial discipline and improved profitability, making the company more attractive to potential buyers.

Outcome/Result

"The organisation started to grow again, reversing previous stagnation."


Reduced Staff Attrition: There was a noticeable decrease in staff turnover.


Increased Buy-in: Staff showed greater buy-in when they received clear communication and saw senior management leading by example.


Enhanced Team Meetings:  Team meetings became a psychologically safe space for creativity and problem-solving.


Improved Work Environment:  The organisation transformed into a more creative, happier place for people to work in.


Transition to Sale Negotiations: With a stronger operational foundation, the business has now transitioned to an M&A Buy & Sell Advisory agent to negotiate the sale of the company.



This case study highlights the importance of consistent support, clear communication, and celebrating small wins in transforming an organisation and achieving organisation goals.

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