Learn how to protect and maximize your business value
For business owners and their advisors who are learning thevalue framework for growth, disruption, protection and transition.
The guide every Canadian business owner needs
Selling Your Canadian Business: A Step-by-Step Guide to Maximizing Value and Securing Your Legacy teaches a proven value framework that applies across your entire business lifecycle. Whether you are scaling, navigating disruption, protecting what you've built or planning your eventual transition, this framework gives you the strategic thi
Selling Your Canadian Business: A Step-by-Step Guide to Maximizing Value and Securing Your Legacy teaches a proven value framework that applies across your entire business lifecycle. Whether you are scaling, navigating disruption, protecting what you've built or planning your eventual transition, this framework gives you the strategic thinking and tactical roadmap used by sophisticated business owners and their advisors.
Le guide dont tout propriétaire d'entreprise canadienne a besoin
Vendre votre entreprise canadienne : Guide étape par étape pour maximiser la valeur et sécuriser votre patrimoine enseigne un cadre de valeur éprouvé qui s'applique à l'ensemble du cycle de vie de votre entreprise. Que vous agrandissiez votre entreprise, naviguiez en période de perturbation, protégiez ce que vous avez construit ou planifi
Vendre votre entreprise canadienne : Guide étape par étape pour maximiser la valeur et sécuriser votre patrimoine enseigne un cadre de valeur éprouvé qui s'applique à l'ensemble du cycle de vie de votre entreprise. Que vous agrandissiez votre entreprise, naviguiez en période de perturbation, protégiez ce que vous avez construit ou planifiez votre transition éventuelle, ce cadre vous offre la réflexion stratégique et la feuille de route tactique utilisées par les propriétaires d'entreprises avertis et leurs conseillers.
Free resources to build your knowledge
The Canadian exit briefing newsletter
Practical resources for Canadian business owners and their advisors. Whether you're eyeing growth through acquisitions or preparing for a divestiture or transition, this monthly newsletter delivers expert guidance, actionable strategies and the latest trends to help you navigate the M&A market with confidence.
Each issue includes practical
Practical resources for Canadian business owners and their advisors. Whether you're eyeing growth through acquisitions or preparing for a divestiture or transition, this monthly newsletter delivers expert guidance, actionable strategies and the latest trends to help you navigate the M&A market with confidence.
Each issue includes practical tips: Discover proven strategies for acquiring businesses or preparing your company for a smooth sale or transition.
Expert advice: Benefit from insights shared by industry leaders to make informed, strategic decisions.
Selling Your Canadian Business radio podcasts
Solo educational episodes (11 to 14 minutes each) that cover:
- How business value is calculated and what destroys it.
- The eight dimensions of sale readiness.
- Due diligence red flags buyers always find.
- Tax optimization strategies for Canadian owners.
- Working capital management before a buyer call.
- The true cost of unprepared exits.
- Succession and family transition mechanics.
Buyer and expert television video interviews
Series hosted by Shivani Patel and David Prowse. Two episode types:
Buyer interviews
Financial buyers, strategic acquirers and entrepreneurial buyers explain what they look for, how they evaluate sellers, and what kills deals late in due diligence.
Expert interviews
Canadian advisors and transaction professionals share tactical guidance on
Series hosted by Shivani Patel and David Prowse. Two episode types:
Buyer interviews
Financial buyers, strategic acquirers and entrepreneurial buyers explain what they look for, how they evaluate sellers, and what kills deals late in due diligence.
Expert interviews
Canadian advisors and transaction professionals share tactical guidance on preparation, tax optimization, deal navigation and what buyers really value.
Blog articles
Articles from the Canadian advisor ecosystem
Explore in-depth perspectives on:
- Valuation frameworks for mid-market businesses.
- Legal structures for sale preparation.
- Management team building before buyer engagement.
- Working capital optimization.
- Tax planning for exit transitions.
- Concentration risk in key-person dependencies.
- Preparation roadmaps
Articles from the Canadian advisor ecosystem
Explore in-depth perspectives on:
- Valuation frameworks for mid-market businesses.
- Legal structures for sale preparation.
- Management team building before buyer engagement.
- Working capital optimization.
- Tax planning for exit transitions.
- Concentration risk in key-person dependencies.
- Preparation roadmaps for business owners and their advisors.
Contributors include CPAs, lawyers, valuators, wealth managers and consultants from across the Canadian M&A ecosystem, all focused on helping business owners maximize value and protect their legacy.
Downloads
Assessments, checklists, guides, reports, research, white papers and worksheets from the Canadian advisor ecosystem.
Contributors include CPAs, lawyers, valuators, wealth managers and consultants from across the Canadian M&A ecosystem, all focused on helping business owners maximize value and protect their legacy.
What's new in mergers and acquisitions today
A concise, expertly curated resource designed to keep you informed about the latest developments in Canada’s dynamic M&A landscape.
Tailored for business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals with an interest in corporate transactions, it delivers timely updates on market trends, notable deals and emerging opportunities, particularly wi
A concise, expertly curated resource designed to keep you informed about the latest developments in Canada’s dynamic M&A landscape.
Tailored for business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals with an interest in corporate transactions, it delivers timely updates on market trends, notable deals and emerging opportunities, particularly within the lower-middle-market segment (businesses with revenues between $5 million and $50 million).
Community insights
Book-related interviews
Join Canadian business owners and advisors.
The LinkedIn group is where community members discuss real exit challenges, share perspectives on transactions and market conditions, and connect with peers navigating business value and succession planning.
Book-related interviews
Book-related interviews
Hear Karl E. Sigerist, Jr. discuss the ideas behind Selling Your Canadian Business with hosts and journalists across Canada. Each conversation goes beyond the book to explore how preparation, clarity of purpose and a buyer's point of view shape what an owner keeps when a business changes hands.
Upcoming events
Upcoming events
Join us in person and online. We host and take part in webinars, panels, conferences and workshops for Canadian business owners and their advisors. Speakers include the author of Selling Your Canadian Business, members of The Shaughnessy Group and guest advisors from across the Canadian M&A community.
For advisors and professionals
Join the advisor network
If you advise Canadian business owners, you have a place here. Our partner program connects accountants, lawyers, wealth advisors, consultants and other professionals with our educational resources and a network of practitioners focused on value optimization.
The community includes
- CPAs specializing in M&A and exit tax
- Lawyers experienced in sale transactions
- Business valuators and corporate finance professionals
- Wealth management advisors
- Management consultants and operations specialists
- Lenders and credit professionals
What advisors get
What advisors get
- Early access to new content and resources
- Co-marketing opportunities with the book and community
- Speaking opportunities in our webinar and interview series
- Referral pathway to advisory mandates
- Peer network with other Canadian exit professionals
What you're joining
This is a community built on one principle: Canadian business owners deserve to understand how value is created, protected and realized. We publish educational content, share expert perspectives and build a peer network without sales pressure or hidden agendas. All resources are free to all subscribers.
You'll receive
- Monthly curated newsletter delivered to your inbox
- Notifications of new podcast episodes as they are released
- Video alerts when new buyer and expert interviews are published
- Early access to downloadable frameworks and checklists from Karl Sigerist and contributing advisors
- Invitations to live webinars and expert panel discussions
- Access to the
- Monthly curated newsletter delivered to your inbox
- Notifications of new podcast episodes as they are released
- Video alerts when new buyer and expert interviews are published
- Early access to downloadable frameworks and checklists from Karl Sigerist and contributing advisors
- Invitations to live webinars and expert panel discussions
- Access to the LinkedIn group community of Canadian business owners and advisors
Join 80,000 Canadian owners and their advisors
Join 80,000 Canadian owners and their advisors
Get periodic insights, expert interviews and resources delivered free to you. No sales pitch. No pressure. Just education and insight from practitioners who've navigated Canadian business transitions.
Praise for Selling Your Canadian Business
Mark Borkowski
Jonathan Fleisher
Mark Borkowski
Are you a Canadian business owner contemplating the sale of your company? Whether you're preparing for retirement, seeking financial security, or exploring new ventures, "Selling Your Canadian Business: A Step-by-Step Guide to Maximizing Value and Securing Your Legacy" by Karl E. Sigerist, Jr., ICD.D, is the essential roadmap for navigati
Are you a Canadian business owner contemplating the sale of your company? Whether you're preparing for retirement, seeking financial security, or exploring new ventures, "Selling Your Canadian Business: A Step-by-Step Guide to Maximizing Value and Securing Your Legacy" by Karl E. Sigerist, Jr., ICD.D, is the essential roadmap for navigating the business selling process successfully.
Tailored specifically for owners of Canadian businesses, this book outlines actionable steps to effectively navigate the complex M&A process in Canada. From personal and family preparation to leveraging tax benefits like the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE), Karl's expert insights on business valuation will guide you in maximizing value while securing your legacy. Featuring Canadian-specific strategies, real-world case studies, and practical tools, this guide empowers you to confidently take control of your business sale.
Ugo Dionne
Jonathan Fleisher
Mark Borkowski
I found Karl's book to be an invaluable guide for any entrepreneur preparing for what is often the most important transaction of their life: the business selling process. He delivers practical insights and essential reminders about preparation, strategy, and mindset. No matter how skilled you are at building and running a business, it's c
I found Karl's book to be an invaluable guide for any entrepreneur preparing for what is often the most important transaction of their life: the business selling process. He delivers practical insights and essential reminders about preparation, strategy, and mindset. No matter how skilled you are at building and running a business, it's crucial to remember that most owners have never sold one, and you rarely get a second shot at making it perfect. Additionally, understanding business valuation is key to achieving optimal results during this process. Karl's work serves as a powerful reminder of why being well-advised and well-prepared makes all the difference.
Bruce Eckfeldt
Jonathan Fleisher
Jonathan Fleisher
Selling Your Canadian Business addresses the problem head-on. This isn't a generic playbook; it's a Canadian-specific roadmap that tackles the regulatory frameworks, tax structures, and market dynamics that make the business selling process in Canada fundamentally different from anywhere else. Having built and sold my own company and coac
Selling Your Canadian Business addresses the problem head-on. This isn't a generic playbook; it's a Canadian-specific roadmap that tackles the regulatory frameworks, tax structures, and market dynamics that make the business selling process in Canada fundamentally different from anywhere else. Having built and sold my own company and coached dozens of founder-CEOs through exits, I appreciate Karl's practical approach: he not only explains how to achieve the highest price through effective business valuation, but also shows you how to find the right buyer, protect your legacy, and prepare for what comes next. That combination is rare and valuable. If you're a Canadian business owner even considering an eventual exit, read this book now— not when you're ready to sell, but years before. The preparation you do today will determine the outcome you get tomorrow.
Jonathan Fleisher
Jonathan Fleisher
Jonathan Fleisher
Karl has done a commendable job of tackling the complex business selling process, presenting it in a concise and user-friendly manner that is highly readable. I particularly appreciate the incorporation of real-life examples to elucidate the topics further. This book is indispensable for individuals who are new to selling a business, as i
Karl has done a commendable job of tackling the complex business selling process, presenting it in a concise and user-friendly manner that is highly readable. I particularly appreciate the incorporation of real-life examples to elucidate the topics further. This book is indispensable for individuals who are new to selling a business, as it meticulously guides them through the intricacies of business valuation and what can be an exceedingly stressful process.
Hussein Hallak
Sean R. MacLachlan
Hussein Hallak
A must-read for any Canadian owner considering an exit from their business. Karl's expertise in the business selling process and his insights into business valuation transform uncertainty into confidence.
Haifeng Hu
Sean R. MacLachlan
Hussein Hallak
With over three decades of experience guiding business owners through the business selling process, Karl Sigerist distills real-world insights into clear, actionable steps that demystify business valuation. This resource is essential for any Canadian entrepreneur aiming to understand business valuation and navigate the sale process with confidence and clarity.
Sean R. MacLachlan
Sean R. MacLachlan
Sean R. MacLachlan
Selling Your Canadian Business offers a clear, insightful, and practical guide for entrepreneurs considering one of the most crucial transactions of their careers. Karl Sigerist expertly demystifies the business selling process in Canada, addressing the complex considerations involved. His balanced approach, rooted in real-world experienc
Selling Your Canadian Business offers a clear, insightful, and practical guide for entrepreneurs considering one of the most crucial transactions of their careers. Karl Sigerist expertly demystifies the business selling process in Canada, addressing the complex considerations involved. His balanced approach, rooted in real-world experience and a deep understanding of the Canadian business landscape, makes this book an invaluable resource not only for owners preparing for sale but also for their advisors. As a lawyer who frequently assists clients with mergers and acquisitions, I can confirm that Sigerist effectively captures both the intricacies of the business valuation process and the essential mindset required for achieving a successful outcome.
Rob Normandeau
Sean R. MacLachlan
Sean R. MacLachlan
This comprehensive guide provides valuable insights for business owners navigating the business selling process. Karl has effectively distilled his expertise and decades of experience into a concise resource, helping readers understand the significance of business valuation throughout the journey.
Kyle Pearce
Mark Stephenson
Kyle Pearce
This structured, step-by-step playbook captures the key lessons we've been teaching owners for years, now compiled in one place. Essential reading for any incorporated Canadian entrepreneur, it provides invaluable insights into the business selling process and business valuation, ensuring you achieve a strong exit while maximizing your returns.
Ryan Seeley
Mark Stephenson
Kyle Pearce
Selling Your Canadian Business effectively addresses a significant need for owners in the Canadian lower-middle market. Karl Sigerist meticulously outlines the business selling process in Canada, covering every stage from early planning to closing and transition. This book offers vital insights from both an advisory and tax perspective, e
Selling Your Canadian Business effectively addresses a significant need for owners in the Canadian lower-middle market. Karl Sigerist meticulously outlines the business selling process in Canada, covering every stage from early planning to closing and transition. This book offers vital insights from both an advisory and tax perspective, emphasizing the critical decisions owners must consider regarding business valuation long before a deal is on the table. It serves as a valuable resource for both business owners and the advisors who support them.
Elizabeth Shea
Mark Stephenson
Mark Stephenson
What a must-read for entrepreneurs seeking a comprehensive playbook on the business selling process before they sell their business! I wish I had this book prior to selling mine, as the lessons within would have undoubtedly contributed to achieving a greater outcome, particularly in understanding business valuation. It is filled with valu
What a must-read for entrepreneurs seeking a comprehensive playbook on the business selling process before they sell their business! I wish I had this book prior to selling mine, as the lessons within would have undoubtedly contributed to achieving a greater outcome, particularly in understanding business valuation. It is filled with valuable advice, drawing you in from the first chapter. The book offers guidance for business owners who find themselves in a unique situation—too big and sophisticated to engage a broker but too small to attract the attention of major M&A firms. It's crucial not to overlook the nuances of selling a business in Canada, as they come with distinct regulatory and financial implications. A particularly important aspect discussed is the emphasis on preparation—mentally, financially, and operationally. As Karl recommends, delve into this content well before going to market (2-3 years) and you'll ensure your legacy reaps the rewards, especially when it comes to maximizing business valuation.
Mark Stephenson
Mark Stephenson
Mark Stephenson
Selling Your Canadian Business fills a critical gap in the Canadian market. This isn't just another generic business sale guide; it's a comprehensive roadmap tailored for Canadian business owners navigating the business selling process. It specifically addresses our unique tax structures, regulatory environment, and M&A landscape. Additio
Selling Your Canadian Business fills a critical gap in the Canadian market. This isn't just another generic business sale guide; it's a comprehensive roadmap tailored for Canadian business owners navigating the business selling process. It specifically addresses our unique tax structures, regulatory environment, and M&A landscape. Additionally, it provides valuable insights into business valuation, ensuring that owners can make informed decisions.