Did you see the news that Facebook recently acquired Internet messaging service WhatsApp for $19 billion? It represents the largest acquisition of an Internet company in history. WhatsApp is a pearl for sure. The messaging service allows users to avoid text-messaging charges by moving texts across...
1. Get paid quickly – A sale isn’t real until you have the money. We see a lot of companies that are profitable but cash poor because their profits are tied up in working capital. It’s great if your business model allows you to be...
Know your company’s value proposition – What benefit does your product or service provide to your customer? If it’s not saving them money, helping them make money, or relieving some pain, it’s just a commodity. Understand your cost structure thoroughly – You need to know your...
A professional valuation of your business is important, but the resulting value is usually not the purchase price. The business will be bought for whatever the seller will take for it. Lenders tend to look at fixed assets; buyers tend to concentrate on cash flow. Buying businesses goes...
With the Sochi Olympic Games taking place this month, it is interesting to reflect back on some of the big events of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. In the Men’s Downhill race at Whistler, for example, the winning time of 1:54:31 was posted by Didier...
The best time to plan your exit is the day you start your business. If you skipped that step, like most of us, then make it part of your current planning process, and then spend some time each year to update the plan, even if...
What does it take to start making an exit plan? The first step is to set your goals and objectives. Consider these three areas: Professional, Personal, and Financial. What do you want to accomplish, over what period of time, and how much money do you...
Advanced planning usually makes the difference between a successful exit and something less than satisfactory for the owner. The best practice is to make a long-term plan to exit or sell your business, using the same discipline that you use to manage your strategic plan...
Most business owners are so busy with customers, employees, and financial matters that they don’t have much time to think about how or when they’ll leave their business. Do yourself and your business a favor and give it some thought now, and it will pay...
Become a strategic target for a specific type of buyer (either real or hypothetical) What are the drivers to optimize your business? Revenue and profit growth are always important Complementary products and services Strong customer base Strategic roadmap Increase the professionalism in your organization Demonstrate excellence in critical business areas - marketing,...