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How ready is your business? Take the SCALE2SELL® Readiness Assessment

Four questions about your business, then three statements for each of the eight SCALE2SELL® pillars, rated 1 to 5. It uses the same eight pillars and 1 to 5 scale as the Quarterly Readiness Radar that clients use, so your free score is the same measure. It appears the moment you finish, with no email required.

  • 08pillars assessed
  • 28straightforward questions
  • 1–5for each pillar, as on the quarterly Radar
  • No emailneeded to see your score
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Your profile across the eight SCALE2SELL® pillars

The SCALE2SELL® Readiness Assessment

Step 1 of 100 of 28 answered

Answer every question in a step, then continue. Your progress is saved in this browser.

Before the pillars

Your business

Four quick questions, so your answers can be read in the right light.

For example: engineering, professional services, logistics or hospitality.

How long has your business been operating?
What is your current annual revenue?

Approximate turnover, in pounds (£).

When might you want to exit or step back?

Pillar 01 of 08 · Toolkit 1

Vision & Value

Clarity of purpose and shared organisational direction.

On the Radar this pillar runs from 1, “Unclear vision”, to 5, “Fully embedded & inspiring”. Rate each statement below by how far it is in place today.

I have a clear picture of life after exit: the lifestyle, income and purpose I want.

Toolkit 1 · Personal Vision Clarity Template

The business is aligned with what I want from it, in time, autonomy and profit.

Toolkit 1 · Founder-Business Alignment Worksheet

Our purpose and direction are shared across the team.

Quarterly Readiness Radar

Pillar 02 of 08 · Toolkit 2

Business Strategy

Defined and evidence-based plan for growth and market positioning.

On the Radar this pillar runs from 1, “Ad-hoc goals”, to 5, “Integrated & data-driven”. Rate each statement below by how far it is in place today.

Our mission and vision are written down: what we do, why, and where we are going.

Toolkit 2 · Mission & Vision Articulation Worksheet

Our top objectives for the next 12 months are ranked by priority.

Toolkit 2 · Strategic Objectives Prioritisation Tool

We know why customers choose us over our competitors.

Toolkit 2 · Market Positioning & Differentiation Map

Pillar 03 of 08 · Toolkit 3

Financial Clarity & Drivers

Understanding and control of financial performance, metrics, and drivers.

On the Radar this pillar runs from 1, “Poor visibility”, to 5, “Full financial control”. Rate each statement below by how far it is in place today.

We review our key figures regularly: turnover, net profit, gross margin, cash and debtor days.

Toolkit 3 · Financial Health Snapshot

We know the top three drivers of value in the business.

Toolkit 3 · Value Driver Identification Tool

We can forecast revenue, costs and cash flow with confidence.

Toolkit 3 · Forecast Readiness Grid

Pillar 04 of 08 · Toolkit 4

Operational Efficiency & Systems

Strength of systems, processes, and automation enabling scalability.

On the Radar this pillar runs from 1, “Manual”, to 5, “Fully scalable systems”. Rate each statement below by how far it is in place today.

Our key processes, such as sales, delivery and billing, are documented as standard operating procedures.

Toolkit 4 · Operations Process Map

Our systems, from CRM and accounting to HR and project tools, work well together.

Toolkit 4 · System Audit Checklist

Our key processes run without me.

Toolkit 4 · Scalability Readiness Scorecard

Pillar 05 of 08 · Toolkit 5

Team & Leadership

Capability, culture, and leadership alignment to strategic goals.

On the Radar this pillar runs from 1, “Gaps in leadership”, to 5, “Strong culture & succession”. Rate each statement below by how far it is in place today.

We have a clear structure, with senior managers who each own an area of the business.

Toolkit 5 · Organisational Chart Snapshot

I delegate, so the team can make decisions without me.

Toolkit 5 · Leadership Self-Evaluation

Key roles are documented, so someone else could step into them.

Toolkit 5 · Succession & Retention Planning

Pillar 06 of 08 · Toolkit 6

Customer Value

Understanding of customer needs, value delivery, and satisfaction.

On the Radar this pillar runs from 1, “No insight”, to 5, “Strong advocacy & innovation”. Rate each statement below by how far it is in place today.

We know our main customer segments and what each one needs.

Toolkit 6 · Customer Profile Matrix

We can explain the value of what we offer in under 30 seconds.

Toolkit 6 · Unique Value Proposition Audit

We know why customers leave when they do.

Toolkit 6 · Customer Retention Analysis

Pillar 07 of 08 · Toolkit 7

Market Position & Brand Strength

Reputation, visibility, and differentiation within target market.

On the Radar this pillar runs from 1, “Weak brand”, to 5, “Market leader”. Rate each statement below by how far it is in place today.

Our position in the market would be hard for a new competitor to take.

Toolkit 7 · Market Positioning

Our brand is well known in our market.

Toolkit 7 · Brand Recognition & Equity

A prospective buyer could easily find us online and trust what they see.

Toolkit 7 · Digital & Physical Presence

Pillar 08 of 08 · Toolkit 8

Exit Readiness

Preparation and structure for future sale, exit, or succession planning.

On the Radar this pillar runs from 1, “No plan”, to 5, “Fully exit-ready”. Rate each statement below by how far it is in place today.

I have a clearly defined personal and business exit timeline.

Toolkit 8 · Exit Objectives & Timeline

The business generates recurring or predictable revenue.

Toolkit 8 · Buyer Attractiveness

Due diligence would find no red flags, such as unclear ownership, open disputes or heavy reliance on one market.

Toolkit 8 · Risk Factors & Red Flags

Last step · Optional

In your words

Two optional questions. Anything you write here reaches Nik only if you choose to send your results.

What it covers

Eight pillars, three statements each.

The statements are drawn from the worksheets in Nik’s eight SCALE2SELL® toolkits, one toolkit for each pillar. You rate each one from 1 to 5 on the scoring guide from his toolkits, from “No evidence or not considered” to “Fully prepared, well-documented and buyer-friendly”, and each pillar’s score is read on his 1 to 5 scale for that pillar. It opens with four questions about your business, and closes with two optional ones in your own words.

Explore the eight SCALE2SELL® pillars

  1. 01

    Vision & Value

    Clarity of purpose and shared organisational direction.

    • 1Unclear vision
    • 3Defined & shared
    • 5Fully embedded & inspiring

    Toolkit 1: Vision & Value Alignment

  2. 02

    Business Strategy

    Defined and evidence-based plan for growth and market positioning.

    • 1Ad-hoc goals
    • 3Documented plan
    • 5Integrated & data-driven

    Toolkit 2: Business Strategy Clarity

  3. 03

    Financial Clarity & Drivers

    Understanding and control of financial performance, metrics, and drivers.

    • 1Poor visibility
    • 3Regular reporting
    • 5Full financial control

    Toolkit 3: Financial Clarity & Value Drivers

  4. 04

    Operational Efficiency & Systems

    Strength of systems, processes, and automation enabling scalability.

    • 1Manual
    • 3Partly systemised
    • 5Fully scalable systems

    Toolkit 4: Operational Efficiency & Systems

  5. 05

    Team & Leadership

    Capability, culture, and leadership alignment to strategic goals.

    • 1Gaps in leadership
    • 3Structured team
    • 5Strong culture & succession

    Toolkit 5: Team & Leadership

  6. 06

    Customer Value

    Understanding of customer needs, value delivery, and satisfaction.

    • 1No insight
    • 3Regular feedback
    • 5Strong advocacy & innovation

    Toolkit 6: Customer Value & Proposition

  7. 07

    Market Position & Brand Strength

    Reputation, visibility, and differentiation within target market.

    • 1Weak brand
    • 3Recognised niche
    • 5Market leader

    Toolkit 7: Market Position & Brand Strength

  8. 08

    Exit Readiness

    Preparation and structure for future sale, exit, or succession planning.

    • 1No plan
    • 3Early planning
    • 5Fully exit-ready

    Toolkit 8: Exit Readiness & Buyer Appeal

How your score works

A clear score, and what it means.

You rate each statement from 1 to 5. A pillar’s score is the average of its three ratings, and your Readiness composite is the average of all eight, out of 5, as on the quarterly Readiness Radar. On the dial it becomes a score out of 100, where 1 is 0 and 5 is 100, which places you in one of three stages.

  1. 0–39

    Stage I · VisionComposite 1.0–2.5 out of 5

    Laying the foundations

    Your business may be performing well, but much of what a buyer, investor or successor would look for is not yet in place, or still depends on you. That is common, and it is where there is most to gain. The first step is clarity: what you want from the business, and the few changes that will make the biggest difference first.

  2. 40–74

    Stage II · ValueComposite 2.6–3.9 out of 5

    Building what drives value

    Solid foundations are in place, with clear gaps. Some pillars are already working for you; others would raise questions under scrutiny. Focused work on the weaker pillars is what moves your score most, and builds the kind of business a buyer or successor values.

  3. 75–100

    Stage III · WorthComposite 4.0–5.0 out of 5

    Well placed to realise it

    Your business is well prepared across most pillars. The work now is refinement, and choosing the right route and timing, so that you realise its worth on your own terms. A conversation with Nik is the natural next step.

Your score is a guide to where to focus first, based on your own answers. It is general information, not a valuation and not financial, legal or investment advice, and you should not rely on it to make decisions. Clauses 3 and 11 of our Terms of Business apply to this free assessment and to our free calls.

Reviewing figures on a laptop in the Stratworth Advisory office

After you finish

Your score is only the starting point.

  1. 01

    See your results straight away

    Your Readiness composite out of 5, your eight pillars on a radar, and your strongest and weakest pillars with the toolkit that works on each. No email address needed.

  2. 02

    Send them to Nik, if you would like a review

    Nik reviews your answers and recommends the right level of support. You will receive an email with next steps.

  3. 03

    Talk it through on a Founder Conversation

    A complimentary Founder Conversation by Zoom, Teams or phone, including a tailored review of your assessment.

Your answers, in confidence. They are saved only in this browser, so you can stop and come back. Nothing reaches us unless you choose to send it. Read how we handle your data, or if you would rather talk first, book a complimentary Founder Conversation with Nik.

Questions

Before you begin

Straight answers to what founders ask most about the assessment and what follows it.

All frequently asked questions

What is the SCALE2SELL® Readiness Assessment?

It's a complimentary, scored assessment of how ready your business is to grow and, when the time is right, to exit. It scores your business from 1 to 5 on each of the eight SCALE2SELL® pillars, the same pillars and scale our clients track on the Quarterly Readiness Radar, so your free score is the same measure you would work on as a client. Your answers are treated in confidence and used only for the assessment, and Nik can talk them through with you on a complimentary Founder Conversation.

What happens on the complimentary Founder Conversation?

It's a 30 to 45-minute, one-to-one conversation with Nik by Zoom, Teams or phone, at no charge. It's a chance to talk about your business and what you want from it, and for both of us to see whether we are the right fit. It isn't a detailed diagnosis or an action plan: if there is a fit, the next step is your Founder Discovery Session.

How do I know which plan is right for me?

You don't have to choose on your own. In your Founder Discovery Session, Nik works through the issues that matter most and recommends the plan that fits. As a guide, Essentials suits founders building toward exit readiness, Advisory+ suits those preparing for funding, sale or strategic transition, the Exit Programme suits founders roughly one to three years from an exit who need more time with Nik, and Bespoke, by application, is for complex transitions, M&A preparation or succession planning.

How is a business valued for sale?

Buyers typically value a company either as a multiple of its normalised earnings or by discounting its future cash flows, and both rest on assumptions about risk and future performance. Stratworth's valuation mapping helps you understand what drives value in your business. It is not a formal valuation: for that, and for anything tax-related, take independent professional advice.

Does Stratworth give financial, legal or tax advice?

No. Stratworth Advisory provides strategic business guidance only and does not offer regulated financial, legal or investment advice. Our work is about understanding what drives value and preparing you and your business for growth and exit. Where you need tax, legal or investment advice, or a formal valuation, take independent professional advice, and involve those advisers early.

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