Section three
Situations
Six patterns that recur in owner-managed companies. They are descriptions of typical circumstances rather than accounts of particular businesses, and most owners recognise at least one of them.
- 01The owner who has had enough
Nothing is wrong with the business. The owner simply cannot face another season of it.
- 02The side project that grew
It started as something to do at weekends and now turns over more than the day job.
- 03Two founders who want different things
One founder is ready to leave. The other has just started planning the next five years.
- 04The shop that depends on one channel
Most of the orders come from one place, and everyone involved knows it.
- 05The seasonal business
Three months of the year produce most of the revenue, and the rest is preparation.
- 06The offer that arrived unannounced
An e-mail arrives from a company that would like to talk about acquiring the business.