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Business Strategy Insights
M&A Advisor Tip: Take a vacation to grow your value
September 23, 2021 / in Business Strategy, Exit Planning / by Al Statz
Build a strong management team and work on transitioning yourself out of the business. Buyers want to see that the business can run—and run well—without your constant attention. What would happen if you took the summer off? What would you come back to? If the answer is locked doors, then you’ve got some work to do. If your team might call you and have a meeting once a week, you’re moving in the right direction. …
Keep widening your moat
September 10, 2021 / in Business Strategy, Exit Planning / by Al Statz
When buying a business, one of the qualities buyers look for is barriers to entry. The harder it is for someone to get started in your business or take away your customers, the bigger the barrier. When investing in businesses, Warren Buffet talks a lot about moats. “In business, I look for an economic castle protected by unbreachable moats,” he says. “If you have an economic castle, people are going to come and want to …
7 Keys to Making Your Business Sellable
April 27, 2021 / in Business Strategy, Sell a Business / by Roy Martinez
A business owner recently asked me what she could do to increase the value of her business. She wants to sell and retire in a few years. My advice was: It is easier to sell big businesses than small businesses. The magic number is $1 million in adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization). When a business has more than $1 million EBITDA, it becomes attractive to all buyer types: individuals, strategic buyers, …
Biden tax plan driving business owners to market
March 17, 2021 / in Business Strategy, News, Sell a Business / by Al Statz
During his campaign, President Biden proposed tax changes that could have a significant impact on business owners. Any business owner contemplating an exit in the next few years should consider how potential tax changes could reduce their net proceeds from a sale. If Biden’s tax plans come to fruition, the capital gains tax rate could effectively double, from 20% to 39.6% for income exceeding $1 million. Right now, that means business owners need to shift …
SBA Covers 3 Months of Payments on New Loans
March 4, 2021 / in Business Strategy, Business Valuation, News / by Al Statz
As part of the Economic Aid Act that passed in December, the Small Business Administration will make borrowers’ payments for three months on new SBA 7(a) and 504 real estate and micro-loan programs. These incentives were available last summer under a stimulus program that expired in September 2020. Now the program has been revived and enhanced. The SBA will make the first three months of payments (principal and interest) on new loans approved between Feb. 1 and Sept. 30, 2021. To be clear, these payments …
Six Benefits of Monitoring Company Value
January 4, 2021 / in Business Strategy, Business Valuation / by Al Statz
Even if your business is not for sale, monitoring its market value can be incredibly helpful. This article describes six ways that understanding value over the life of a closely held business benefits shareholders, directors and managers. 1. Value Report Card Like financial statements, an annual independent business valuation is a type of report card on company health. CEO’s can use this report card to educate, align and focus executive teams on maximizing enterprise value. …
Plan Your 2021 Comeback with a Strategic Acquisition
November 3, 2020 / in Acquire a Business, Business Strategy / by Al Statz
Business owners tend to think more seriously about selling when things aren’t as much fun as they used to be. Running a business in the COVID era is anything but fun, and owners are being particularly responsive to acquisition inquiries right now. Proactive Acquisition Searches When growing through acquisition, companies can be reactive or proactive. In a reactive strategy, the buyer takes phone calls and watches open market listings for appropriate opportunities to appear. This …
M&A Advisor Tip: Finish Strong
November 3, 2020 / in Business Strategy, Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Al Statz
Begin the sale process while your business is on an upward trend. Buyers pay a premium for businesses with well-defined opportunities and a strong growth story. Too many business owners get tired or complacent and psychologically retire early, before the sale. In fact, after retirement, burnout is the number two reason business owners sell. Unfortunately, burnout usually leads to declining revenues and reduced leverage in the sale process. Stay focused until the end and sell …
M&A Advisor Tip: Work Yourself Out of a Job
October 21, 2020 / in Business Strategy, Exit Planning / by Al Statz
The more your business revolves around you, the more risk buyers see. To increase business value and marketability, build a strong management team. Work yourself out of the business by developing an experienced, empowered management team. The less the business is dependent on you and your knowledge or relationships, the less risk buyers face in a transition. And less risk translates to a higher sale price. Also, more buyers will be able to buy your company …
Why Your Business Needs Google Reviews
July 15, 2020 / in Business Strategy / by Exit Strategies
For many businesses today, online reviews are a differentiator. In the past, people asked for references to vet a product or service. Today, they are more likely to conduct their own research and read online reviews. Google reviews can give businesses a credibility boost, for free. Let’s look at some of the key benefits. Increased Credibility & Trust According to statistics, approximately 91% of consumers read reviews to determine credibility of a local business, and …
Exit Strategies Group, Inc. is a leading provider of business sales and acquisitions, business valuations, and exit planning services for family owned and closely-held companies since 2002.
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