Sell-side Mergers and Acquisitions.
Ask yourself: If I became incapacitated, can my business run without me? If no, buyers will be concerned about the business’s ability to operate without you. If yes, no need to continue reading ;-)! If you can’t get away for at least one week of vacation at a time… If… Read More »Avoid Key-Person Risk
We meet business owners who worry that a niche will limit their opportunities and sales. However, a niche can often be the key to growth…and can increase your overall business value! Why are niches attractive to Buyers? #1 or #2: It is much easier to be #1 or #2 in… Read More »Buyers Targeting Big Fish in Small Pond!
Labor issues, pending tax changes, inflation – these are three major issues driving sellers to market right now. If you feel a sense of urgency to sell, but just are not mentally ready to exit, you are not alone!Deals can be structured in many ways for owners who would like… Read More »Sell & Keep Working?
Many business owners struggle with exiting their business as it may feel like putting one’s child up for adoption. Research supports this: Entrepreneurs really do think of their business as a child. Research findings include similar brain activity between owners thinking about their business and parents thinking about their children.… Read More »Your Business = Your Baby
Often overlooked by business owners UNTIL the time of a sale are contracts…and believe me, it significantly impacts the value of your company on whether or not contracts are assignable. You do not want to negotiate assignability at time of sale! This may open the door for customers/suppliers to highjack your… Read More »Are Your Contracts Assignable
Congratulations! You’ve received an offer to purchase your business … and you weren’t even really thinking of selling right now! Before getting overly excited, it’s best to ensure that you and your company are ready to move on. Private equity firms may be genuine buyers, but please know that these… Read More »Wow! An Unsolicited Offer from a Private Equity Firm!
Prior to selling your business, identify the traits you want in the buyer. That way, when you receive a strong offer from a potential buyer and do your due diligence, you know what you don’t want. For instance, if your buyer has just parted ways with another business and did… Read More »Be ‘In Like’ with Business Buyer
Friendships are the key to life, however, unless they are a specialist in the area you need, separation is good! Many business owners, like me, have become friends with their business advisors. We enjoy working with each other and treasure those relationships. When it’s time to sell or transition your… Read More »Know Your Friends’ Specialties…and Limitations
Bo Burlingham, former executive editor for Inc. magazine and author of several books, including Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top has shared that one of the key discoveries that led to that book. He found found that many business owners were unhappy after selling their companies regardless of how much someone… Read More »Success = Identified Identity
“To win in the marketplace, we believe you must first win in the workplace. I’m obsessed with keeping employee engagement front and center and keeping up energy around it.” Those words of Doug Conant, business leader and former CEO of Campbell Soup Company, are particularly true today. The talent market… Read More »Increasing Business Value – Retain Employees, Especially Now