• Sell to employees

     1.  Stock offered to all employees
     2.  Sale to employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)

• Sell to management

     3.  Management buyout
     4.  Management buyout with outside investors
     5.  Multi-step sale to key employee(s)

• Sell part of the company to outsiders

     6.  Public offering
     7.  Partial sale to investment group

• Sell all of the company to outsiders

     8.  Negotiate with only one buyer
     9.  Approach group of potential buyers
    10.  Public announcement of sale

LIQUIDATE THE BUSINESS

    11.  Total liquidation
    12.  Partial liquidation

GIVE THE BUSINESS AWAY

    13.  Give ownership to charity before sale of business
    14.  Give ownership away at death; retain ownership throughout life
    15.  Gradually give ownership away, but retain control of business throughout life