1. Not knowing what the business should sell for One of the most costly errors a business owner can make is not knowing the approximate price of his or her business prior to entering the selling process. Although the marketplace ultimately determines the final price, an owner needs to know what the approximate price his or her business is prior to placing the business on the market. Before making the decision to sell, owners should work...
If you are even thinking about selling your business, it’s important to know the questions that buyers generally want answers to. For example, the first question almost always asked by buyers is: If this is such a good business why is it for sale? How you answer this question can make or break a sale. A vague answer can discourage buyers from further consideration of your business, as they may assume the worst. If you say...
When the owner of a business makes the decision to sell, he or she is taking a giant step that involves the emotions as well as the marketplace, each with its own set of complexities. Those sellers who are tempted to undertake the transaction on their own should understand both the process and the emotional environment that this process is set against. The steps outlined below are just some of the items for a successful...
There is no doubt that the times are definitely changing. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a shift across many industries, and the simple fact is that many industries will never return to the old normal. Success in the 21st century will require a good deal of adaptation and the ability to evaluate where you stand today and where you need to be tomorrow. Flexible Thinking One of the cornerstones of being successful in life and in business...
There can be no doubt that selling your business stands as one of the most complex and important decisions you’ll likely ever make. It is quite often the case that a business represents decades, or even a lifetime, of dedicated work. In this article, we’ll examine some of the key steps that you should take when it comes time to sell. One of the most important steps that any seller can take is to begin the...
Companies of all sizes frequently fail to handle customer complaints appropriately. In the digital era, where complaints can be seen by hundreds, thousands or go viral to millions, it is essential that customer complaints, especially serious ones or ones backed by considerable emotion, are treated seriously and dealt with in a timely manner. If you are failing to provide good customer service, this should be corrected. After all, offering decent customer service is neither costly nor...
Finalizing a deal is usually a complex process, and there is a good deal of room for error, misunderstandings, miscalculations, and good old-fashioned wild cards. That is why it is critical to carefully think through the deal process well in advance. In this article, we’re going to explore the top ten steps you can take to avoid wrecking a good deal. Confidentiality – At the top of our “how not to wreck a deal list” is...
Just as people will form judgments and ideas about you as a person based on first impressions, the same holds true for your company. It is always best to put your “best foot forward,” and this is true whether we’re talking about your personal life or business. Periodically, it is prudent for every company to step back and evaluate its initial point of communication with customers and clients. In today’s digitally interconnected world, it is critical...
When buyers are looking to make a purchase, the most important step they can take is to perform due diligence on both the business and the seller. Yet, it is important to note that a large percentage of sellers fail to do their due diligence on buyers. Deals fail all the time. Sadly, this means that all parties lose a tremendous amount of time and effort. Additionally, sellers not only waste time, but often lose money...
K. Srikirishna has a worthwhile read in the Harvard Business Review. Adapted from his book The Art of a Happy Exit – How Smart Entrepreneurs Sell Their Businesses (Harper Business), Srikirishna looks beyond the mechanics of selling your business to what the emotional content of the experience can be (and often isn’t). Anecdotes from high-tech and financial services executives illustrate this piece. At first blush, such "lessons learned" don't seem all that relevant to small business...
Damon Neth is a Professional EOS Implementer of the Entrepreneurial Operating System®. He co-authored a best-selling book entitled X-Formation: Transforming Business Through Interim Executive Leadership. He also has founded five companies and acquired four other companies. Additionally, Damon Neth is an accomplished entrepreneur and a leading EOS® business coach. EOS® is a powerful set of business tools that provide a framework that empowers companies to create a clear vision throughout their entire organization, and in the process, boost the health...
What kinds of insights about selling a business might come from experts at private equity firms? This article includes advice for sellers from industry veteran Lamar Stanley. Stanley is a Director at Gen Cap America, which is a lower middle market private equity firm in Nashville, Tennessee. Since 1988, Gen Cap America (GCA) has made 60+ investments across seven committed private equity funds. Before joining GCA, Stanley was with the Nashville based private-equity strategy group, Diversified...
More than likely, selling your business is one of the biggest decisions of your life. Unless you own a business, it is impossible to understand just how all-encompassing of a process it can be. With that stated, it is important for business owners to step back and seriously reflect on whether or not they are truly ready to sell. The psychological aspects of selling are not trivial. Various aspects must be taken into consideration before...
There are many reasons why small companies are put up for sale. Some of the more common reasons can actually have little to do with the company’s general performance. For example, many small business owners discover that they need to sell for health reasons or personal concerns, such as divorce or partnership issues. While a business downturn or fear of a larger competitor looming on the horizon might prompt many business owners to sell, economic...
A small increase in what you charge for your goods and services can make a tremendous difference to your bottom line. The fact is that many businesses could charge more for their goods and services than they do, but fail to do so. Owners often do not realize the great value of charging just one-percent more. In this article, we’ll explore how charging even slightly more can dramatically impact your business. Let’s consider a hypothetical example. ...
