Relationship banking
Sunday Business Post

It is this "personal attention" aspect that many companies are relying on in an increasingly competitive environment. Origin Corporate Finance, which provides consultancy services on mergers, acquisitions and corporate finance, makes a point of giving each client individual attention.

Dermot Grant, managing director of Origin Corporate Finance, said that firms should also build relationships with a corporate financing firm who are willing to groom the business for sale.

"We will look at the exit strategy, and will hold a shareholder's hand throughout the process," Grant said. "We groom the management team and potential buyers."

Grant warned that all this took time, and as a result, an exit strategy could be planned up to five years in advance of the shareholder parting ways with the firm.