Cantava exists to transform the outlook for business owners
In 2011, John Warrillow wrote ‘Built To Sell’. In it, he described a set of principles for creating a business that would thrive without its owner.
The book’s underlying thesis is that building the value of a company gives the business owner a killer advantage in the game of life. In essence, the owner can choose to sell if they get an outlandish offer or sleep well at night knowing they could sell should the opportunity or need arise.
Looking at a business through the lens of a would-be acquirer, Warrillow suggests the hallmark of a valuable company is one that can run without the owner, which implies if an owner can create a business that’s built to sell, they also have the option to hold on to it without the stress of running it on a day-to-day basis.
The key message is that a business owner should aspire to work on their business and not in it. Taking that step will differentiate their business and maximise its value.
A valuable business is a sought-after asset, making it more likely that the owner will get an unsolicited offer for it. This gives the owner negotiating leverage when deciding to sell.
