75% OF ENTREPRENEURS WITHOUT AN EXIT PLAN

Minneapolis
"By not planning ahead, and without adequate preparation, each is less likely to be in a position to take full advantage of the current active marketplace for acquiring established middle-market enterprises with values of up to $150-million," says Iqubal (Lucky) Sajady, Managing Director of Venture Business Group, Minneapolis, Minnesota

"Venture Business Group Index indicates that 75 per cent of the nearly 4,500 middle-market business owners surveyed in 1996, have no exit plan despite saying that they plan to sell their business within the next five years," Mr. Sajady reports.

Venture Business Group regularly surveys private business owners nationally to learn the entrepreneurs' views about business concerns and other national issues of the day. Venture Business Group Index is limited to the owners of closely held businesses who are contemplating the sale of their companies.

"An exit plan can be a very valuable personal road map for the entrepreneur when it comes to determining the best time to sell and what steps to take to maximize the proceeds of the sale," advises Mr. Sajady.

"Similar to financial planning, of which this is a part and which frequently is postponed, exit planning helps determine when you can best step aside on your own terms. The demands of business often leave little time for serious thought about a strategic exit, or simply just reducing your day-to-day involvement of running the business," Mr. Sajady suggests.

"Today more than ever, exit planning should be a top priority. With America's largest corporations stimulating record stock markets and other strong economic indicators, middle-market business owners can take advantage of the record activity in the acquisitions of private companies by the corporate giants. Through the acquisition of established smaller companies, the large public companies can fuel their continued growth," concludes Mr. Sajady.

Now in its 14th year, Venture Business Group is a nationally recognized mergers-and-acquisitions organization that assists private, middle-market business owners in evaluating, building and selling their companies at the appropriate time and for maximum proceeds.

For More Information Contact:
Corporate Communications
Venture Business Group, Inc.
601 Carlson Center
Suite 1050
Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305&.

Tel: (952) 449-5247
efax: (763) 559-7726
merger@vbgi.net