Are you wondering what the value of your business is if you sold to a competitor or other type of “best fit” buyer, (i.e., buyer with a strategic interest in the acquisition of your business)? Different than selling to an inside employee group or passive investor, the sale of a business to a best fitRead More…
Here’s a scenario we see occurring frequently: A 100% owner of a business wants to sell a 10% equity interest in their company to a key employee so they have some “skin in the game” and are less likely to leave and go elsewhere. Let’s assume the business owner has recently had a business valuationRead More…
There is no shortage of new ideas and books each year on how to best manage your business. Most of these business management books are providing ideas which will ultimately (hopefully!) result in increasing the value of your business as an investment. In actuality, when done thoroughly, the business valuation process encompasses an analysis andRead More…
As you may have heard us say previously, every business has more than one value, depending upon who the buyer is. Different types of buyers are motivated differently based on what they could do with the business if they were to own it, as highlighted on our Buyer’s Chart. For example, some buyer types areRead More…
Goodwill, or ‘blue sky,’ is probably the most misunderstood component of business valuation. Business owners are often curious about goodwill in their business and how it is valued, and they are also often confused.In their minds, the intangibles including renown of the business, the years of successful business operation, their client list, their trained staff,Read More…
Numerous clients have shared recently that they are seeing an increase in unsolicited inquiries about purchasing their business, some of which are legitimate inquiries from buyers or business brokers. While it is natural to be excited that you are a ‘target’ for an interested buyer, it is critical to slow down, stay calm and respond,Read More…
Bargaining Position Matters. While they are frequently confused as being synonymous in the business world, the terms “value” and “price” don’t mean the same thing when it comes to business valuation. Every business ownership transfer involves negotiation, or bargaining, and bargaining position is a function of economic strength, knowledge, negotiating skills and timing. As such,Read More…
We were recently working with a successful Wisconsin business owner who has been working on his succession plan. During our initial meeting he was surprised to learn that every business has more than one value depending upon who the buyer is. He lamented he had no knowledge or experience in thinking through the different typesRead More…
Dear Cathy, About 10 years ago I bought out two of my siblings/partners in an artisan cheese business in order to keep our family business within our family. I now have majority share with myself and one younger sibling left as owners in the business. I’d like to more clearly understand the options forRead More…