Benefits of Meeting with a Business Broker in person...

Whether you are ready to list now or are considering in the next fews years, as you move forward with the sale of your business, you will want to consider all of your options. Speaking to a qualified business broker is one of the first steps you are going to want to take. You will be better prepared to move forward whether you list with the broker or not. Arming yourself with all the tools available to you is always a good idea. But, do not think a quick conversation over the phone is going to give you a full picture of the advantages that a business broker can offer to the situation.

A qualified business broker can render an initial opinion of value, and recommend courses of action to market your business. In order to do so, you will want them to have a full picture of your business. An on-site meeting can give your potential broker a better understanding of your business. You want them to see it as more than just the numbers. Your business has a flavor, and should you decide to list, the better understanding the broker has the more likely they are to concentrate on that right-fit buyer, the one most likely to see the value and succeed in your business...

Click here to read my full  article, and respond with a comment. Would love to hear what you have to say...

Ralana D. Abraham
Business Broker, Dir. of Marketing
Sunbelt Indiana

Are you sure you're ready to sell?

You may have decided it's time to sell, but before you begin the M&A process, you need to take a good, hard look at what you plan to put on the block. Just because you're ready doesn't maean buyers will be interested - particularly if this is the first time you've thought about preparing your business for sale.  Prospective buyers won't just scrutinize your business, but they'll also compare it to other opportunities in the marketplace.

Asking tough questions
With the help of your M&A advisors, go over your company with a fine-tooth comb, just as a buyer will during the due diligence stage. Evaluate everything from debt levels to personnel to customer relationships and address any issues that are likely to give potential buyers pause, such as too much business concentration in only a few customers.

To read the full article by the staff at SunbeltMergers.com click here.

Exit Planning:Prepare for an out while you're still in

Running a successful business is time consuming, leaving you little time to plan what may seem like distant succession issues. It's important, however, to outline an exit plan and make succession decisions as early as possible. Evaluating and grooming possible successors or preparing for an outside sale can take years. And it's never too early to make retirement and estate plans.

Take stock
Before determining where you want to be when you're ready to retire, assess where you and your business are financially today. Prepare a detailed financial analysis of your business with the help of a valuation professional. This expert will review historical data to determine its current value.

Click here to read the full article by the staff at SunbeltMergers.com.

Why Your Company Needs a Physical

Complements of Business Brokerage Press

Many executives of both public and private firms get a physical check-up once a year. Many of those same executives think nothing of having their investments checked over at least once a year - probably more often. Yet, these same prudent executives never considering giving their company an annual physical, unless they are required to by company rules, ESOP regulations or some other necessary reason.

A leading CPA firm conducted a survey that revealed:

• 65% of business owners do not know what their company is worth;


• 75% of their net worth is tied up in their business; and


• 85% have no exit strategy

They are many obvious reasons why a business owner should get a valuation of his or her company every year such as partnership issues, estate planning or a divorce; buy/sell agreements; banking relationships; etc.

No matter what the reason, the importance of getting a valuation cannot be over-emphasized...

To learn more... click here to read the full article.

Starting the discussion on employees... independent contractor vs. employee

The Big Question: Independent versus Employee Status
Courtesy of Business Brokerage Press

Are your workers independent contractors or employees? This is a compelling question, especially where the Internal Revenue Service is concerned. Every worker claiming status as a non-employee means payroll taxes and social security contributions that won't fall into the IRS's pocket.

Now many states are taking a closer look at the question, too. They are increasingly on the lookout for new sources of state revenue, including workman's compensation and unemployment insurance, both of which can be bypassed when a business uses independent workers.

To read the full article... click here.

Exit Planning - Prepare for an out while you're still in

Running a succesful business is time consuming, leaving you little time to plan what may seem like distant succession issues. It's important, however, to outline an exit plan and make succession decisions as early as possible. Evaluating and grooming possible successors or preparing for an outside sale can take years. And it's never too early to make retirement and estate plans.

To read the full article from Sunbeltmergers.com... click here.