No one wants to waste their time and energy trying to sell their business to someone who isn’t actually planning to buy. That’s why it’s so important for you and your business broker or M&A advisor to focus on the most qualified and serious buyers. But how can you really make these kinds of assessments about a buyer’s viability until they sign on the dotted line? Let’s take a look at some signs that will...
The business world is abuzz about ChatGPT, an AI-based conversational agent that is innovating how large and small businesses interact with customers. Other AI-based technologies are streamlining content development for marketing and outreach. While this technology is still new, small business owners in both the service and retail sectors are moving beyond the experimentation phase and integrating it into their operations. The South Bend, Indiana hair salon Hair Crafters uses a ChatGPT bot to automate appointment...
The Training and Transition phase can be vital for helping a business buyer get off on the right foot once they have closed on the purchase of a business. It’s one of the most immediate and important steps for setting them up for success, but it often comes as an afterthought for both the buyer and seller. Why? A business buyer doesn’t know what they don’t know, and a seller can be challenged to come...
A partnership agreement is a legal document that provides an outline of how a business will be run. This agreement will often be used by small for-profit businesses when two or more people are involved. It’s an essential document to have, especially in the case when a dispute arises between partners. Even if you have gone into business with a friend or relative, you should have this document in place to make sure everyone is...
Simply put, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. A confluence of factors affects when your business might sell, and it’s best to go in this process with realistic expectations. There are things outside of your control, but there are also actions that you can take before you list that will help you better the odds. What Are the Market Conditions? The market is dynamic and variable as demonstrated by the past few years. When the global pandemic shut...
As a business owner, your natural inclination is likely to be considering the strengths of your business and how to perform even better in the future. However, the truth is that sitting back and thinking about your flaws can actually benefit you in the long run. When you have a full understanding of where you are lacking, it will empower you to make the best strategic decisions for the future. These changes, in turn, will...
BizBuySell has issued their latest insight report, which summarizes market growth and trends from last year. In this report, they have several interesting areas to report including a summary of how lower sales prices and rate hikes impacted the value of businesses in recent months. The report can be found at https://www.bizbuysell.com/insight-report/#reportArchive. Overall Trends in 2022 Buyers currently appear to have some leverage when it comes to the prices of businesses on the market. When comparing 2022...
BizBuySell just released its latest insight report, which tracked sales and growth in 2022 and compared it to the prior year. Overall, we are seeing a high demand for service-based businesses as well as an increase in restaurant business sales. The insight report also reveals what business brokers across the country are expecting for 2023 and beyond. Data on Service Business Sales In 2022, 39% of the acquisitions tracked by BizBuySell were service businesses, and their transactions...
When you are looking to sell, always focus on the positive aspects of your business. Many business owners fail to properly make a case for the benefits of their businesses to prospective buyers. Be sure to make it clear that your business has stability and ample financial health. Let’s take a closer look. 1. Prepare in Advance Preparing paperwork in advance will help to make sure that everything is in proper order and you’re not scrambling at...
No one likes to think about the deals that didn’t succeed. However, the fact of the matter is that sometimes things go wrong during the process and a sale doesn’t successfully close. We have pinpointed the most common reasons why this happens into three main categories. By understanding the issues that can prevent a deal from finalizing, we are able to dramatically maximize the odds of success for clients. 1. Issues with the Seller If a seller...
When it comes to reaching a successful closing, there are four important stages to keep in mind. In this article, we will take a look at the process and what sellers can expect. If you are planning to sell a business, it is also helpful to understand in depth what the stages are from a buyer’s perspective. The Letter of Intent (LOI) The letter of intent is one of the responsibilities that your business broker or M&A...
Most business owners don’t give a second thought to the idea of going to the doctor for an annual physical. So why do they not give the same level of care and consideration to their company? The fact of the matter is that many executives literally go decades without giving their companies a “physical.” They only stop to truly evaluate their business when required by regulations or another matter forcing them to do so. Consider an...
When you’re putting your business on the market, one of the top considerations is your asking price. Once you have a fair price established, let’s take a closer look at how business brokers and M&A advisors work with their clients to back up that price with details concerning why it is justified. Telling the Story A key aspect of defending your asking price is telling the story of your business. Your brokerage professional will help you go...
Nothing strikes fear in the heart of a business owner like a legal mistake. The best way to ensure that you will avoid serious legal issues is to work with a trusted and experienced team. Otherwise, it’s easy to accidentally miss necessary steps. When you’re selling a business, there are a lot of moving pieces, and that means that there are ample opportunities for things to go wrong. It’s always best to be prepared. When mistakes...
Each quarter, the Market Pulse Report issues a report revealing information about market conditions The report is supported by M&A Source and the International Business Brokers Association. The data that is analyzed is based on a comprehensive survey of business brokers and M&A advisors. The report focuses on Main Street businesses (with values up to $2MM) and the lower middle market (values between $2MM and $50MM.) The research is conducted and then the report is published...
