Business Strategy Insights
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 …
Use Equity Incentive Plans to Boost Exit Value
July 13, 2020 / in Business Strategy, Exit Planning / by Al Statz
Closely-held business owners often use equity and equity-like programs to attract and retain key employees and incentivize them to boost profits and build enterprise value. These plans provide value to the employees through current profit sharing and/or future equity appreciation. I am a strong proponent of utilizing these types of incentive plans as part of an exit strategy. Let’s break this down. Why profit sharing for key contributors? Sharing company profits with key employees incentivizes …
Hard Times: Great Opportunities
May 30, 2020 / in Business Strategy, News / by Don Ross
The effects of the Covid -19 Pandemic have been real and apparent. GDP in the first quarter declined by 4.8% according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis and economists are predicting the American economy to contract by as much as 30% in fiscal year 2020. Brutal. So what is there to get excited about? Opportunities are laying in the weeds – that’s what. Entrepreneurs of newly acquired businesses are aggressively moving forward in their business …
Valuing a Business in the Time of COVID-19
May 19, 2020 / in Business Strategy, Business Valuation / by Joe Orlando
Business owners and investors alike are asking themselves the same questions in the current COVID-19 environment. Are there opportunities in downturns? If so, when do you know when buy and sell? What are my illiquid assets worth? A former boss and one of the best bond traders I’ve ever met frequently used a popular trader’s phrase that predicting when a market will bottom and turn is “like trying to catch a falling knife.” A recent article revisited …
M&A Advisor Tip: Planning for Death or Disability
May 18, 2020 / in Business Strategy, Exit Planning / by Exit Strategies
The Wall Street Journal recently ran an article about CEOs accelerating succession plans and backup management strategies in the wake of COVID-19. It’s a question every owner should be asking (now and always): What happens if you are unable to manage your company? No one likes to think about all the what-if scenarios in life. Most business owners have no plan for exiting their business at all, much less exiting in the face of conflict …
Begin with the Knowns and Unknowns
April 20, 2020 / in Business Strategy, News / by Exit Strategies
The world feels like it’s turned on its head right now. People are anxious, with good right to be. There’s so much we can’t predict about the weeks and months ahead. When planning your response, begin with what you know and what you don’t know. What we know: We’re in a pandemic, and social distancing can flatten the curve, meaning slow the rate by which the illness spreads. And, at this point, we can probably …
COVID-19 Exit Planning Insight: Keep a Journal
April 13, 2020 / in Business Strategy, Exit Planning, News / by Al Statz
There’s no shortage of information out there right now on how company owners and CEO’s are responding to COVID-19. [By now, leaders have taken steps to survive and fight another day. Most now understand what business will look like for them until restrictions are lifted, and they’re formulating plans to thrive again post-pandemic.] With few companies going to market during this crisis, our insights will focus on exit planning, acquisition opportunities and non-elective sales for …
COVID-19 M&A Update: Survival Mode
April 6, 2020 / in Business Strategy, News / by Al Statz
As of 4/6/2020 The fact is, no one knows when this public health crisis will be resolved or when commerce will return to normal. The fact is, most businesses are struggling. They have scaled back or stopped operating. Leaders have taken quick decisive action to stem losses and preserve cash. They are taking advantage of government assistance. Luckier ones are less affected; some are thriving. Indeed, these are unprecedented times. Affected company leaders are taking …
Three Questions to Ask for Growth
February 19, 2020 / in Business Strategy / by Exit Strategies
This is the time of year when business leaders make resolutions, update strategic plans, and generally take stock of their organization. I’m planning to do a similar assessment, but this year I’m going to look in the mirror. I’m going to reach out to 15 to 20 people and ask these three questions: What two things should I continue to do? What two things should I start doing? What two things should I stop doing? …