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Confidentiality:
The Seller’s #1 Concern
The first question we usually hear from sellers is, “What do you do to make sure the sale is confidential?”
Avoiding Confidentialty Breach
That’s not surprising considering the drastic effects a breach of confidentiality can have, including:
- Your employees worrying about losing their jobs and perhaps leaving to work elsewhere
- Your clients considering doing business with your competitors because they’re worried they won’t get the same level of service
- Your suppliers becoming hesitant to extend credit or favourable terms
- Your competitors licking their lips and telling everyone that you’re selling so they can attract some of your clients
“Confidentiality is at the core of trusted relationships and key in any successful business transaction. It safeguards sensitive information, builds trust, and encourages open communication and mutual respect.”
Confidentiality Agreements
We never disclose your business name, or sensitive information about your business, to a prospective buyer unless that buyer has been pre-screened and qualified, and has signed our Confidentiality Agreement (Non-Disclosure Agreement).
In addition to our Confidentiality Agreement, we take the following measures to ensure that confidentiality is maintained:
- At your option, you approve each and every potential buyer after we have qualified them and before they have received any specific information pertaining to your business.
- Our website is secure, and any information you provide is encrypted for your protection.
- All meetings are conducted in our private meeting spaces.
- Neither your name or your business name is mentioned outside of our offices.
- We only contact you using your private phone number or email address.
- We will never contact anyone at your business unless they know you are selling, and then only at a private phone number or email address.
- Whenever possible, we conduct our own buyer research in place of using online ads.
- We do not put our business listings on our website. Even the most general information can arouse suspicion that it’s your business for sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is confidentiality so important when selling my business?
Confidentiality protects your business from potential disruptions. A breach could cause employees to worry about job security, clients to switch to competitors, suppliers to change terms, or competitors to take advantage of the situation.
Keeping the sale private ensures your business continues operating smoothly during the selling process.
How do you protect my business’s identity during the sales process?
We never disclose your business name or sensitive details until a potential buyer has been fully qualified and signed a Confidentiality Agreement (Non-Disclosure Agreement).
Only then do they receive approved information, and you have the option to approve each buyer before they see anything specific about your business.
What measures are taken to prevent a confidentiality breach?
We safeguard your information by:
- Encrypting all data shared through our secure website.
- Holding meetings in private spaces only.
- Communicating via your private contact details.
- Avoiding online ads that could expose your business.
- Never listing your business on our website, even in general terms.
Will my employees, customers, or suppliers know that my business is for sale?
No. We take every step to ensure your employees, customers, and suppliers remain unaware unless you decide otherwise. We will never contact anyone at your business, and all outreach is done discreetly to protect your company’s stability and reputation.
What role does the Confidentiality Agreement (NDA) play in the process?
The Confidentiality Agreement is a legally binding document that ensures buyers cannot share or misuse any information about your business.
It protects your sensitive details and ensures only serious, pre-screened buyers gain access to information after committing to strict confidentiality.
