Why was the Exit Ratio 360 built with 360 points instead of fewer?

The system was originally designed with 100 points and was not comprehensive enough. 360 points provides the resolution needed to identify specific, actionable gaps rather than broad categories. Your score divided by 360 gives you your exit ratio — a number that tells you exactly where you stand.

Who is the Exit Ratio 360 designed for?

The Exit Ratio 360 is designed for business owners in the $10 million to $250 million revenue range who are preparing to sell in the next two to five years or who want to build a more valuable, transferable business regardless of their exit timeline.

How does the Exit Ratio 360 scoring system translate into an improvement plan?

Every dimension where you score below the threshold becomes a specific line item in your improvement plan. It is a quarter-by-quarter process. Your score today is your baseline, and the distance between scores quarter over quarter represents the change in your valuation.

Can I use the Exit Ratio 360 as a self-assessment?

Yes. The Exit Ratio 360 book walks you through all nine frameworks with scoring criteria and implementation guidance. A self-assessment works best when your leadership team is involved — your ops team scores SCALE, your sales leader scores SELL, your CFO scores the financial dimensions.

What happens to the maximum multiple when a business owner is not prepared during due diligence?

Every unanswered question becomes a ding or dent on the valuation. Too many lead to earn-outs instead of cash at close, extended transitions instead of clean exits, and sometimes the deal failing entirely. A company is buying your history — they want proof, not stories.

Why should the Exit Ratio 360 assessment include your leadership team and not just the founder?

A scoring system only works if the right people are involved. When your ops team, sales leader, and CFO score their respective dimensions, you get an accurate composite score and assign ownership for what needs to be fixed. It also prepares your leadership team to answer buyer questions without you in the room during due diligence.

Introducing the Exit Ratio 360 — The First Scoring System for Mid-Market Exit Preparation

Name: Introducing the Exit Ratio 360 — The First Scoring System for Mid-Market Exit Preparation | Episode 29
Uploaded: 2026-03-18T16:12:43-07:00
Channel: Scott Sylvan Bell
Description: Scott Sylvan Bell introduces the Exit Ratio 360 — the first comprehensive scoring system built specifically for mid-market business exit preparation.

Before the Exit Ratio 360 existed, business owners preparing to sell had consultants, brokers, and books — but no systematic way to score where they stood. They had opinions about their readiness and guesses about their gaps. You can prepare for exit for two years and still have no idea whether you are actually ready to sell — because without a scoring system, preparation is just activity disguised as progress. Scott’s book is available on Amazon. 🎧 Listen on Spotify

Why a Scoring System Changes Everything

Scoring told you where the gaps were, where people were strong, and what sequence of improvements would produce the highest gains. The system started as a 100-point evaluation — not comprehensive enough. It was rebuilt until it reached 360 points because that is what it took to evaluate every dimension a buyer actually evaluates during diligence. Your score divided by 360 gives you your exit ratio — a number that tells you exactly where you stand.

What is the Exit Ratio 360 and what makes it different from other exit planning tools?

The Exit Ratio 360 is a 360-point scoring system built specifically for mid-market business exit preparation. Unlike general business valuation tools that focus primarily on financials, the Exit Ratio 360 evaluates nine frameworks covering everything from leadership depth to market position to deal structure readiness — giving owners a complete picture of what buyers actually evaluate.

What the System Evaluates

The Exit Ratio 360 evaluates nine frameworks: READY, LAUNCH, SCORE, SELL, SCALE, DRIVER, EXIT, BENCH, and THREATS. SCORE carries the most weight of any framework because it is where most mid-market businesses hemorrhage points. The documentation becomes your baseline — your starting line and your roadmap. Your composite score today is not going to be the same score all the time. The distance between your scores quarter over quarter is the distance in your valuation.

What are the nine frameworks inside the Exit Ratio 360?

The nine frameworks are READY, LAUNCH, SCORE, SELL, SCALE, DRIVER, EXIT, BENCH, and THREATS. Each evaluates a distinct dimension of business readiness. SCORE carries the most weight because it is where most mid-market businesses lose the most points during diligence.

What score should I aim for before going to market?

A score of 90% or above — approximately 300 to 320 points out of 360 — signals strong exit readiness. This does not mean lower scores cannot transact. It means 300 to 320 gives you the documented strength to defend your asking multiple at the table. When a company comes in and wants proof, you have it: here are the changes we have made, here are the quarterly score improvements. That is a premium company. Ask for the maximum multiple. See also: Exit Ratio 360™ Overview.

What score should I aim for on the Exit Ratio 360 before going to market?

Full Episode Transcript

Aloha and welcome to episode number 29 — introducing the Exit Ratio 360, the first scoring system for mid-market exit preparation.

You can prepare for exit for two years and still have no idea whether you’re actually ready to sell — because without a scoring system, preparation is just activity disguised as progress. Exit readiness is a composite score against every dimension that a buyer evaluates. Almost every exit comes with a 200 to 300 question assessment. They’re going to ask all sorts of questions about the business. You want to be on offense — not defense.

The Exit Ratio 360 started as a 100-point system. It wasn’t comprehensive enough. It was rebuilt until it reached 360 points. LAUNCH is 30 points. SCORE is 100 points. SELL is 40. SCALE is 50. DRIVER is 60. EXIT is 40. BENCH is 40. Take your total score, divide by 360 — that gives you your exit ratio.

A scoring system only works if the right people are involved. Bring your leadership team in. When your ops team, sales leader, and CFO score their respective dimensions, you get an accurate score and assign ownership for what needs to be fixed.

It’s not your fault you didn’t know — but now that you know, it’s your responsibility. Either you’re going to pay with the time and improvements you make now, or you’re going to pay by not getting enough at the exit. Aloha and Mahalo.

About Scott Sylvan Bell

Scott Sylvan Bell is a mid-market exit strategy consultant and the creator of the Exit Ratio 360™. His book is available on Amazon.