Sell or continue: the signs it's time to hand over
Introduction
You think about it more and more often. Selling your business. Handing over. Turning the page. But is it really the right time? Or simply a temporary rough patch?
This question is asked by hundreds of Swiss SME leaders every year. And for good reason: selling too early can cost you years of value creation. Selling too late can complicate the transition or reduce your business's attractiveness.
Timing is not just a matter of age or turnover. It's a combination of personal, economic and strategic signals that, together, reveal the right moment. Some are obvious. Others, more subtle, deserve closer attention.
In this article, we review 10 concrete signs that indicate it may be time to sell. Not vague intuitions, but clear and actionable indicators. You will also find a self-assessment test to take stock of your situation and concrete ways forward.
Whether you are in an active reflection phase or the idea is just beginning to take shape, this guide will help you identify the signals and make an informed decision.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
Selling your business at the right time relies on a combination of personal signals (motivation, health, absence of succession), economic signals (growth plateau, good financial health, favourable context) and temporal signals (age, spontaneous offers, desire for something else). A self-assessment test allows you to take stock objectively. If several signs are present, it is time to seriously consider succession and begin preparing your business.
📚 Table of contents
Personal signs: are you still aligned?
Before analysing the figures, start by listening to yourself. Business succession often begins with internal signals: a disconnect between your aspirations and your daily reality. These personal indicators are the first to identify to know when to sell your business.
1. Motivation is no longer there
You drag yourself to the office in the morning. Strategic decisions weigh on you. The enthusiasm of the early days has given way to a burdensome routine. This weariness is a sign it's time to sell: leading without passion harms both the business and your wellbeing. Explore the emotional dimension of this transition.
2. Your health or that of your loved ones becomes a priority
Chronic fatigue, recurring stress, sleep disorders: your body is sending alerts. Or perhaps a loved one needs your presence. When the work-life balance breaks down permanently, it's an indicator to sell. Your health is not negotiable.
3. You have no internal succession plan
No interested heir. No employee ready to take over. Without an identified successor, the business risks closure when you leave. Anticipating this reality allows you to actively seek an external buyer and ensure the continuity of what you have built.
Economic and strategic signals
Beyond personal feelings, your business itself sends signals. Financial performance, competitive positioning, innovation capacity: these indicators to sell are objective and measurable. They reveal whether the time to hand over has come.
4. Your business reaches a growth plateau
Turnover has stagnated for two years. Margins are no longer increasing. The business needs investment or a renewed vision that you can no longer or no longer want to provide. This plateau is a signal: a motivated buyer could give it a second wind.
5. The market is evolving and you struggle to keep up
Accelerated digitalisation, new regulations, increased competition: your sector is transforming. You lack the energy or skills to adapt. Rather than suffer, selling to a buyer capable of implementing these changes preserves your business's value.
6. Your business is in good financial health
Paradoxically, this is the best timing to sell: solid balance sheets, loyal customers, stable team. A performing business attracts more buyers and achieves better valuation. Take advantage of this favourable window. Assess your value with our free tool.
Temporal and contextual indicators
Timing does not depend solely on you or your business. External factors, age, economic conditions, unexpected opportunities, influence the optimal time to sell. Knowing how to recognise them maximises your chances of success.
7. You are approaching retirement age
Between 55 and 65, it's time to plan ahead. A successful succession takes 12 to 24 months. Waiting until the last moment reduces your options and your negotiating power. Consult our 12-month preparation checklist.
8. The economic context is favourable
Low interest rates, strong demand for your sector, positive investment climate: certain moments are more conducive. A favourable context increases the number of potential buyers and improves your valuation. Monitor the macroeconomic trends in your sector.
9. You receive spontaneous offers
A competitor or investor contacts you to discuss an acquisition. This is a clear signal: your business has value and generates interest. Even if you are not ready, explore these opportunities. They reveal your market positioning.
10. You dream of something else
New entrepreneurial project, career change, long-term travel, voluntary work: you have other aspirations. Life does not stop at your business. If this desire becomes persistent, it may be time to turn the page and open a new chapter.
Self-assessment test: where are you?
Give yourself 0 to 2 points for each of the 10 signs above:
- 0 points: Does not concern me at all
- 1 point: Concerns me partially
- 2 points: Concerns me completely
Interpretation (out of 20 points):
- 0-6 points: Not yet the time. Continue to run your business.
- 7-13 points: Reflection to begin. Explore your options and plan ahead.
- 14-20 points: Time to act. Launch the succession process.
What now? The first steps
If your score indicates it's time to act, here's how to start:
- Value your business: Get an estimate with our valuation tool
- Consult experts: Fiduciaries, lawyers, M&A advisers via our partner network
- Prepare your documents: Balance sheets, contracts, organisational chart
- Publish a discreet listing: Access qualified buyers on Leez
Every succession is unique. Take the time necessary to make the right choices.
Deciding to sell your business is never simple. Between personal signals, economic indicators and market opportunities, several factors must be considered. What matters is identifying the right time for you: when your business is in good health, when the context is favourable, and when you are ready to turn the page.
Selling does not mean failure, quite the contrary. It is often the best strategic decision to ensure the continuity of what you have built. The essential thing is to anticipate, prepare and not wait until circumstances force your hand.
If several of these signs resonate with you, it may be time to explore your options. Start by estimating your business's value for free to have a solid basis for reflection. You can then move forward at your own pace, with the right tools and the right support.
