If you own a small business and haven’t thought about succession planning, you should. Brad Cherniak Co-Founder and Partner of Sapient Capital Partners, a Toronto-based advisory firm, examined the importance of succession planning in a February 20, 2019 Divestopia article, “All Companies Need to Look at Succession Planning.” Owning and/or operating … [Read more...]
Could the Red-Hot Market for Businesses Be Cooling Down?
The economy is red hot, and that fact is translating into lots of businesses being sold. However, it is possible that this record-breaking streak of sales could cool down in the near future. Entrepreneurs who are considering selling their companies say they’re worried about the future of the economy, according to an article posted on Inc. in … [Read more...]
How to Create A Business Plan
If you're hoping to borrow money to buy or start a business, you'll probably need a business plan. A business plan, which projects 3-5 years ahead, is your road map for your business. It outlines how a company plans to reach yearly milestones, including revenue projections. A well-thought-out plan also helps a business focus on its key elements … [Read more...]
What Kind of Buyers are You Most Likely to Meet?
Selling a business can be an exciting and rather lucrative time. But going through the sales process means embracing the notion that you’ll have to be very prepared for whatever might be thrown your way. A key aspect of preparing to sell your business is to know what types of buyers you’re likely to encounter. It is only logical to anticipate … [Read more...]
Confidentiality Agreements: What are the Most Important Elements?
Every business has to be concerned about maintaining confidentiality. When business owners are getting ready to sell their business, they often become somewhat obsessed with confidentiality. It goes without saying that owners don’t want the word that they are selling to spread to the public, employees or most certainly their competitors. Yet, … [Read more...]
Why Goodwill Is Important to Your Business
Goodwill can enhance the value of your business, but what does the term mean when buying or selling a business? Usually, the term “goodwill” is a reference to all the effort that a seller puts into a business over the years that he or she operates that business. In a sense, goodwill is the difference between an array of intangible, but … [Read more...]
Learn How to Prepare Your Business to Sell-Feb. 26 GABB Meeting
Just before retirement is not the best time to prepare your business to sell for an attractive price. Savvy business owners spend years thoughtfully preparing to transition out of business ownership. UGA Small Business Development Center consultant Daniel McCoy discussed ways that small businesses can prepare for the day when they want to sell … [Read more...]
Employees May Welcome the Sale of a Business
Many sellers worry that employees might “hit the panic button” when they learn that a business is up for sale. Yet, mergers and acquisitions specialist Barbara Taylor thinks employees might welcome the news of a possible sale. In the article, “Selling Your Business? 3 Reasons Why Your Employees Will Be Thrilled,” Taylor cited the three reasons she … [Read more...]
How to Overcome Your Fear of Selling Your Business
By C. David Chambless, President Abraxas Business Services Getting to the Closing Table to sell a business is a complex journey. At Abraxas, we often find that business owners let certain concerns and fears keep them from taking the first step toward a successful sale and a comfortable “next stage” of life. Here are four common worries that … [Read more...]
Business Valuation Theory and Practice – Part One: Valuation Approaches
By Dan Browning, founder and President of DB Consulting, Inc. This article is for educational purposes only. Nothing contained herein can be used against me in a litigation or other adversarial setting. Examples have been changed to protect the innocent (and not so innocent). How do appraisers determine the value of a business? There are … [Read more...]