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
Showing posts with label sell business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sell business. Show all posts
Friday, June 8, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
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.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Do You Know Your Customers?
Courtesy of Business Brokerage Press
It’s always nice, when eating at a nice restaurant, for the owner to come up and ask how everything was. That personal contact goes a long way in keeping customers happy – and returning. It seems that customer service is now handled by making a potential customer or client wait on a telephone for what seems forever, listening to a recording saying that the call will be handled in 10 minutes. Small businesses are usually built around personal customer service. When is the last time you “worked the floor” or handled the phone, or had lunch with a good customer? Customers and clients like to do business with the owner. Even a friendly “hello” or “nice to see you again” goes a long way in customer relations and service.
The importance of knowing your customers and/or clients could actually be extended to suppliers, vendors, and others connected with your business. When is the last time you visited with your banker, accountant, or legal advisor? A friendly call to your biggest supplier(s) can go a long way in building relationships. A call to one of these people thanking them for prompt delivery can pay big dividends if and when a problem really develops.
Owning and operating your own business is not a “backroom” or “hide behind the business plan” business. It is a “front-room” business. Go out and meet the customers – and anyone else who has an interest in your business.
This subject and others are important considerations in owning a business and can affect the sale of a business in a positive or negative manner. If you are thinking of selling your business, or just want to discuss possible exit scenarios down the road, please call to speak to one of our brokers here at Sunbelt Indiana... 317-573-2100. The consultation is free with no obligation!
It’s always nice, when eating at a nice restaurant, for the owner to come up and ask how everything was. That personal contact goes a long way in keeping customers happy – and returning. It seems that customer service is now handled by making a potential customer or client wait on a telephone for what seems forever, listening to a recording saying that the call will be handled in 10 minutes. Small businesses are usually built around personal customer service. When is the last time you “worked the floor” or handled the phone, or had lunch with a good customer? Customers and clients like to do business with the owner. Even a friendly “hello” or “nice to see you again” goes a long way in customer relations and service.
The importance of knowing your customers and/or clients could actually be extended to suppliers, vendors, and others connected with your business. When is the last time you visited with your banker, accountant, or legal advisor? A friendly call to your biggest supplier(s) can go a long way in building relationships. A call to one of these people thanking them for prompt delivery can pay big dividends if and when a problem really develops.
Owning and operating your own business is not a “backroom” or “hide behind the business plan” business. It is a “front-room” business. Go out and meet the customers – and anyone else who has an interest in your business.
This subject and others are important considerations in owning a business and can affect the sale of a business in a positive or negative manner. If you are thinking of selling your business, or just want to discuss possible exit scenarios down the road, please call to speak to one of our brokers here at Sunbelt Indiana... 317-573-2100. The consultation is free with no obligation!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Article 7: Buying vs. Leasing Equipment
"This article from Forbes.com has great information pro and con if you are trying to decided whether to buy or lease equipment for your business... check it out!" - Ralana D. Shelley, CBI, Sunbelt Indiana
Forbes.com
Nolo 01.24.07
Leasing equipment can be a better option for business owners who have limited capital or who need equipment that must be upraded every few years, while purchasing equipment can be a better option for established businesses or for equipment that has a long, usable life. Each business owner's situation is unique, however, and the decision to buy or lease business equipment must be made on a case-by-case basis.
To have a look at both options... click here and read the full article at Forbes.com.
And check out our next installment on Friday... Article 8: How equipment leases can affect the sale of your business.
Forbes.com
Nolo 01.24.07
Leasing equipment can be a better option for business owners who have limited capital or who need equipment that must be upraded every few years, while purchasing equipment can be a better option for established businesses or for equipment that has a long, usable life. Each business owner's situation is unique, however, and the decision to buy or lease business equipment must be made on a case-by-case basis.
To have a look at both options... click here and read the full article at Forbes.com.
And check out our next installment on Friday... Article 8: How equipment leases can affect the sale of your business.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Article 6: Equipment - The Very Expensive Desk Lamp
Courtesy of Business Brokerage Press
"Moral of the story: Prepare your business before a buyer sees it"
This is a story based on a true incident - only some of the details have been changed. The buyer and seller were ready to close on a business when the buyer asked to look at the list of fixtures and equipment that were to be included in the sale. After a few minutes reviewing the list, the buyer said that the desk lamp on the owner's desk was not listed. The seller explained that the lamp was a gift from his parents many years ago and therefore it was not included. The buyer got very upset, stating that the lamp was just perfect for the desk and he wanted it. The seller tried to explain that the lamp had lots of sentimental value, but that he would replace it with another desk lamp. This did not satisfy the buyer, and in order to stop the sale from falling apart, the seller agreed to subtract $1,000 from the purchase price to keep the lamp. That made the desk lamp a very expensive one.
To find out how this could have been avoided, and how you can avoid this scenario, read the full article... click here.
"Moral of the story: Prepare your business before a buyer sees it"
This is a story based on a true incident - only some of the details have been changed. The buyer and seller were ready to close on a business when the buyer asked to look at the list of fixtures and equipment that were to be included in the sale. After a few minutes reviewing the list, the buyer said that the desk lamp on the owner's desk was not listed. The seller explained that the lamp was a gift from his parents many years ago and therefore it was not included. The buyer got very upset, stating that the lamp was just perfect for the desk and he wanted it. The seller tried to explain that the lamp had lots of sentimental value, but that he would replace it with another desk lamp. This did not satisfy the buyer, and in order to stop the sale from falling apart, the seller agreed to subtract $1,000 from the purchase price to keep the lamp. That made the desk lamp a very expensive one.
To find out how this could have been avoided, and how you can avoid this scenario, read the full article... click here.
Friday, March 11, 2011
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.
To read the full article from Sunbeltmergers.com... click here.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Seller Financing -- How a Broker Can Help
Another important factor relating to the asking price is the amount of cash involved in the sale. There is an old saying that the higher the full-price, the lower the down payment - and vice-versa. The sale of almost any business involves some seller financing. The smaller the down payment, the higher likelihood of a quick sale. No seller wants to take back his or her business because the buyer wasn't successful. On the other hand, a buyer wants to make sure that the business will not only pay for itself, but also provides sufficient income for his or her family's needs.
What it all boils down to is that the seller wants the buyer to be successful and the buyer wants to buy a successful business. With the amount of capital required in today's market to buy a business, sellers should feel optimistic that they are dealing with successful buyers.
Read on to find out more about four important ways a Broker can help in this process...
to read the full article... click here.
What it all boils down to is that the seller wants the buyer to be successful and the buyer wants to buy a successful business. With the amount of capital required in today's market to buy a business, sellers should feel optimistic that they are dealing with successful buyers.
Read on to find out more about four important ways a Broker can help in this process...
- A Valuable Service
- Maintaining Confidentiality
- The Future of the Business
- What Buyers Think
to read the full article... click here.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
When is the right time to exit?
By Pete Sokoloff
Security Systems News
The number one question I get asked in speaking with company owners is, "When is the right time to sell my business?"
There is a great deal of emotion that goes into selling a business. In terms of stress, it has been rated right up there with divorce and the death of a loved one. Though there are numerous logical reasons to sell or not sell a business, at the end of the day all decisions about making an exit are most heavily influenced by the emotions of the owners. This commentary will discuss not only the elements that should be considered, but what constitutes the right and the wrong mindset.
The logic of the right time to sell any company is indisputable. It is when multiple buyers are interested and the highest price can be commanded. This "perfect storm" occurs when the following elements are in place: 1. There is a history of financial improvement in your business over the last few years, both in revenues and earnings. 2. There is strong evidence that revenues and earnings will continue to increase in future years. 3. Market conditions are such that the investment community believes there is good upside ahead for the industry segment your company serves.
When these conditions are met, the owners of the business are in the enviable position of being able to find many interested buyers and a premium price for their company. So, why would a potential seller disregard this logic?
To read the full article … click here.
Security Systems News
The number one question I get asked in speaking with company owners is, "When is the right time to sell my business?"
There is a great deal of emotion that goes into selling a business. In terms of stress, it has been rated right up there with divorce and the death of a loved one. Though there are numerous logical reasons to sell or not sell a business, at the end of the day all decisions about making an exit are most heavily influenced by the emotions of the owners. This commentary will discuss not only the elements that should be considered, but what constitutes the right and the wrong mindset.
The logic of the right time to sell any company is indisputable. It is when multiple buyers are interested and the highest price can be commanded. This "perfect storm" occurs when the following elements are in place: 1. There is a history of financial improvement in your business over the last few years, both in revenues and earnings. 2. There is strong evidence that revenues and earnings will continue to increase in future years. 3. Market conditions are such that the investment community believes there is good upside ahead for the industry segment your company serves.
When these conditions are met, the owners of the business are in the enviable position of being able to find many interested buyers and a premium price for their company. So, why would a potential seller disregard this logic?
To read the full article … click here.
Friday, June 11, 2010
New Stimulus Package for Businesses
John Kielich, Managing Director, Kolb+Co. M&A Advisers
LeAnne Foster, Business Analyst, Kolb+Co. M&A Advisers
No, you did not miss an eight million dollar first-time-business-buyer tax incentive or a sales tax break. However, there currently is a window of opportunity for businesses in regard to Federal Capital Gains Tax. The current Federal Capital Gains Tax rate of 15 percent is due to sunset at the end of 2010. How high it goes starting in 2011 is anyone's guess at this time, but as discussed and illustrated in this article, even an increase to 25 percent should provide a business owner the needed "stimulus" to strongly consider a sale or partial sale in 2010.
To read the full article... click here.
LeAnne Foster, Business Analyst, Kolb+Co. M&A Advisers
No, you did not miss an eight million dollar first-time-business-buyer tax incentive or a sales tax break. However, there currently is a window of opportunity for businesses in regard to Federal Capital Gains Tax. The current Federal Capital Gains Tax rate of 15 percent is due to sunset at the end of 2010. How high it goes starting in 2011 is anyone's guess at this time, but as discussed and illustrated in this article, even an increase to 25 percent should provide a business owner the needed "stimulus" to strongly consider a sale or partial sale in 2010.
To read the full article... click here.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Hard Times?
Now may actually be a good time to sell a business.
Given the state of the financial markets and general economy, now may seem like an unlikely time to sell a company. But selling in the current market can actually be less challenging than you think -- and may even provide benefits you haven't considered.
Determining whether to sell is always a difficult and complex decision, involving many considerations specific to your plans and business. For example, how urgent is your exit plan and how much do you hope to realize from the sale? Although the current economic environment may factor into your decision, it shouldn’t be your primary consideration.
To read the full article... click here.
Given the state of the financial markets and general economy, now may seem like an unlikely time to sell a company. But selling in the current market can actually be less challenging than you think -- and may even provide benefits you haven't considered.
Determining whether to sell is always a difficult and complex decision, involving many considerations specific to your plans and business. For example, how urgent is your exit plan and how much do you hope to realize from the sale? Although the current economic environment may factor into your decision, it shouldn’t be your primary consideration.
To read the full article... click here.
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