Keeping it simple
Keep it simple stupid...a bit of a crass way of saying that it is a really, really good idea to keep your business simple.
Cash:
The day to day financials of the business should mean that you are cash positive. Client payment terms of 60 to 90 days mean that you need to manage cash and keep 3 months of overhead expenses. Watch rent quarter cash payments and VAT or corporation tax.
Tax:
Make sure that understand the rules of the countries that you are operating within and it is especially vital to get expert advice if the business is international. Many of the aggressive tax planning options are themselves expensive and of questionable legal and moral substance.
Company structure:
The more complex the structure, the more complex the sale process may become, and on a practical level the business will be more difficult to manage. With money laundering prevention at the forefront of banks minds, the corporate structure should be clear and easy to document. Shareholder agreements, memorandum and articles of association should be professionally drafted and revisited periodically to make sure they protect assets in the desired manner.