Succession Planning Isn’t Only for Estates

At some point in time, you’re going to leave your business. Whether you choose to retire and pass the company to a chosen successor or sell it to a new owner, you must consider how you complete the transition of power with minimal disruption. Having a succession plan in place can minimize the negative effects of the transition on your employees and customers.

Yet, some entrepreneurs skip the topic of succession when putting together their business plans. They may create one as part of their estate plan, but that’s designed to cover them if they retire or unexpectedly stop working for the company.

What happens if you decide to sell the business?

You Need a System To Ensure a Smooth Transition of Leadership

Your company’s succession plan details how you will transfer control of the company. In the end, change is inevitable when the business changes hands, but continuity is important for your employees, customers, and business partners.

Business People Consulting

What To Include in a Succession Plan

Ultimately, a succession plan provides a strategy for keeping the business running during the transition period when it’s more likely to lose customers or employees. Your succession plan should include the following:

  • Back-up plans: Detail how you will back up and secure the company’s data, applications, and infrastructure during the transition period.
  • Business valuation: You and the buyer need to know what the business is worth, and you have to establish a set dollar amount to represent that value.
  • Employee assessment: Identify your key employees and analyze how the transfer will affect their roles within the company and what might happen if they leave their positions. Stay focused on their roles as you complete this analysis because employee names may change over time.
  • Facilities review: Evaluate the conditions of the business facilities. Include a plan to shift operations if all or part of the facilities become unusable.
  • Operations assessment: Identify the company’s essential and nonessential operations and analyze how they support the business. The buyer may use this information as they begin implementing their changes in the company.
  • Timeline: Set deadlines for each step in the transition, and be transparent with employees so that there are no surprises. Include a plan for when to tell employees about how their roles may change.
  • Standard operating procedures: The new owners should receive a copy of your company’s standard operating procedures (SOP) to help them become familiar with how the business operates.

You may add to this list or eliminate items that don’t fit your business model. The succession plan should reflect and support regular operations and will not be a one-size-fits-all solution.

How Soon Should You Create a Plan?

It’s never too soon to start putting together a succession plan. You cannot own your company forever, so you may as well have control over how you want to walk away. Keep in mind that your succession plan can—and probably should—change over time. For this reason, you may find it beneficial to review your succession plan regularly and adjust it as needed to ensure it still reflects the needs of the business.

When you’re ready to sell, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. You know what makes your business tick. Partner with someone who understands the process of selling your business to a new owner. Contact us today to learn more ab

5 Signs It’s Time to Sell Your Business

When you started your business, you had big plans for it. Although an exit strategy may be the last thing on your mind when you’re working to build a company, there may come a time when you have to consider letting go. These five signs can help you decide if it’s time to sell your business.

1. Business Is Booming

As an entrepreneur, there’s no greater feeling than watching the company you’ve built grow beyond your expectations. You thrive on your company’s success, and seeing your plans come to fruition validates the sleepless nights and personal sacrifices you made along the way. So why would you sell it when business is booming?

For starters, it’s easier to sell a business that’s performing well and projected to grow than one that’s struggling. Buyers aren’t interested in spending money they don’t think they can get back. Even better, they may be willing to pay more if they see the company’s potential. Remember, buy low and sell high.

Happy Business Man

2. You’ve Outgrown the Business

Building a business is exciting, and entrepreneurs like a challenge. Over time, you learn the ins and outs of the company and the industry. As a result, you may be able to anticipate every problem or find yourself less surprised by changes that you have to implement. Sometimes you just need a challenge, and the business may not be able to provide it.

If you ignore your need to solve a problem or overcome an obstacle, you may find yourself in a rut. As a result, you may not work to your full potential. Not only can this stall your personal growth, but it can be detrimental to the company. The business you’ve built and the people who rely on it deserve more than half your effort.

3. The Industry Is on the Decline

People change. Their interests change. What was a salvation one day can turn into a liability over time. No one in the 1980s would have predicted the collapse of shopping malls. Few people in the 1990s imagined the end of video rental stores and the rise of streaming services. Who thought people would choose to rent bedrooms in homes instead of hotel rooms?

The reality is that industries ebb and flow, and sometimes you have no control over that. If you notice shifts in your industry and are uninterested in taking the steps necessary to guide your company through the changes, it may be time to sell. Get out while you can and sell the business to someone who will take it in a new direction.

4. You’re Ready To Pursue Other Interests

Entrepreneurs are a busy bunch. They like thinking of ideas. They like researching and testing ideas. They like facing challenges and solving problems. When they find something they love, they are willing to dedicate all of their energy and attention to it. That’s how they’re able to build corporate empires from scratch.

However, being distracted typically doesn’t bode well for entrepreneurs. You have a limited amount of time each day. You’re diluting your energy if you’re dividing it between too many different side options. Instead of giving partial attention to several projects, choose the one that most interests you and direct all of your attention to it. This may mean selling your business to build a better one.

5. The Business Has Outgrown You

Sometimes the business’s success becomes more than you’re able to handle. At some point, your skills may not be sufficient to keep the company growing and moving in the right direction. You can look for a way to rise to the challenge—perhaps by going to school to develop new skills or hiring new people who have what the company needs.

As the company’s leader, it’s vital to understand your strengths and limitations. If what the company needs is beyond your scope, it may be time to walk away. Someone else may be able to step in and take the company where it needs to go. This also frees you up to explore new ideas.

Are you ready to sell your business and move on to your next big idea? Let us handle the details while you dig into your new plans. Contact us today and discover how the experts at Murphy Business can help you with the transition.

Understanding an Income Statement

An income statement is one of the three essential financial statements that a business owner uses to keep an eye on their success. It summarizes the company’s revenues and expenses over a specific period of time.

Understanding Income Statements

Also known as a profit and loss statement, an income statement will show you how your “bottom line” is doing — that is, whether you made a profit or took a loss during that timeframe.

If you are buying a business, understanding the income statement will give you a good idea of the financial health of the company and show you how overall sales, costs, and profitability look.

Sales Revenue

The very top line of an income statement will show you the gross sales revenue for the period. That’s the raw dollar amount of sales without any expenses removed. Gross revenue is a good starting point because it shows you how much room you have to grow or improve profitability.

Low revenues might mean that the business owner hasn’t taken full advantage of the market. That could indicate a lot of growth opportunities, but you want to make sure you fully understand why the current owner hasn’t grown the business, so you’re aware of obstacles.

High revenues often mean that you have great opportunities for profitability if you control costs. If you notice that you could improve the business processes, that’s a good sign. However, be sure to do your due diligence into any roadblocks that could keep you from implementing the changes, such as uncooperative senior management.

Cost of Goods Sold and Expenses

If the company sells physical products, there will be a line showing the cost to produce the goods. The cost of goods sold (COGS) is the first deduction from gross revenue. Revenue after the COGS is the gross income or gross profit.

The gross profit helps you understand how efficient the business is in producing goods. However, it doesn’t include overhead.

After gross profit, you’ll see line item expenses showing the operating expense during that reporting period. You’ll see recurring expenses such as rent, marketing, and equipment upkeep. These operating costs will reduce the gross profit figure down to the operating income or operating profit.
Operating profit will let you know how the company fares after all internal costs are deducted. These are the costs that you, as a business owner, have direct control over.

Pre-Tax and Post-Tax Profits

The final portion of the income statement will show you the pre-tax and post-tax profit.

Most businesses have loans and are paying interest on those loans. The interest expense is deducted from the operating profit to give you the pre-tax profit. Finally, taxes are removed to provide you with the net income, which people refer to when they talk about “the bottom line.”

To get an accurate feel for the profitability of a business you’re interested in buying, make sure you look at several income statements. Is the company showing an upward trend? Are costs under control? Are there any expenses that seem out of line for the industry?

Knowing whether you can make a profit right away or will have to rescue a company from excessive costs and inefficiencies can help you decide what price to offer — or if you want to buy the business at all.

Know Your Income Statements

Reviewing income statements is just one of the essential aspects of due diligence. You also need to see other financial information, such as the cash flow statement and balance sheet. You’ll need to understand the industry and how the business is perceived in its local market.

Finding the right business to buy is a lot of work. Fortunately, Murphy Business can help. We know how to match buyers with the right opportunities and help you find a business that fits your needs.

Contact us or find a local office today to learn more!

5 Ways to Stay on Top of Your Industry as a Busy Business Owner

“So much to do, so little time.” That’s never more true than when you’re a business owner. You have a lot to manage — you want to lead your team well, serve your customers, do great marketing, and more.

But if you fall behind in your industry, you can find yourself behind the competition quickly. New developments and innovations can help you decide where to go as your company grows and what expansion plans make sense.

How can you find the time to stay on top of your industry as a busy business owner? Here are five tips you can try today:

1. Follow Podcasts

If you find that you’re always on the go, podcasts are a great way to keep up with your industry and business in general. There’s a podcast about almost everything, and many thought leaders put out episodes regularly.

Podcasts are current and provide valuable information to busy business owners!

2. Set Up Alerts

If you want to monitor what’s being said about your industry online but don’t have the time to read industry websites regularly, consider setting up alerts. This allows you to get an email when a headline or article comes out related to your topics of interest.

Simply go to Google’s Alerts page and set up the keywords you’re interested in. You’ll get everything you need in real-time.

3. Listen to Customers

Your customers are one of the most valuable resources you have, and you interact with them every day! Make sure you notice what questions they ask and what complaints are common. These can give you ideas your industry hasn’t thought of to add more value and serve better.

Giving customers what they need is the number one way to stay ahead of the game.

4. Make Time to Read

If you can only choose one way to keep up with your industry, it’s simple — make time to read! This doesn’t have to be hours each day. Just 20 minutes a day will give you insight into what’s going on in your marketplace and how it impacts you.

If reading is too time-consuming, consider getting books on tape or finding a text-to-speech program to read your articles and news. If you’re working out or traveling, this can be a perfect time way to get information.

5. Stay in Touch With Your Network

Wondering what your peers are up to? One of the best ways to find out is to ask them! Try to go to networking events regularly, and participate on business social networking sites like LinkedIn. Not only will this help you stay up-to-date with changes in your industry, but it can also be extremely valuable when you are looking for new opportunities in the future.

Business is all about who you know, not just what you know. Don’t let networking fall to the side simply because you’re busy!

Being a Business Owner is Challenging

As a top business broker, we work with business owners every day. We know how hard it is to stay current on your industry or get up to speed on a business you’re considering buying.

We have a variety of resources that can help you learn and grow as a business owner. And if it’s time to buy or sell, we’re here to make it e

Franchise or No Franchise

As an entrepreneur, you have many options when it comes to buying a company. Do you want to choose an established business in a specific area, or would you prefer to be a franchise owner? There are benefits and drawbacks to each one, and a business broker like Murphy Business can help you decide what’s right for your situation. Here are some factors to consider when deciding between a franchise and a stand-alone company.

Do You Prefer Built-In Structure?

Many people who have spent a lot of time as workers in corporate America are itching to get out. They know there are better opportunities out there, and they’re right! They don’t want to build someone else’s dream anymore.

People from corporate America often do very well as franchise owners. The company is already structured for them, and they know exactly what to expect. At the same time, they get the freedom to run their own business and make their own profits.

Even if you haven’t worked as an employee for very long, you might prefer a bit of structure in your business experience as well. That’s where a franchise can help you succeed. If you want a predictable but freeing business experience, a franchise might be perfect for you.

What Is Your Risk Tolerance?

Some people prefer to invest in a franchise because it’s somewhat less risky than starting a new, unproven company. With a franchise, you generally have a recognized brand name, corporate support with marketing, and a clear understanding of your area’s business opportunities.

If you prefer to strike out on your own or buy a stand-alone business, you’ll need a strong stomach for risk. You’ll also want to do a lot of research on the company’s history and the potential for new customers and growth in your area.

In both cases — with a franchise or another business — you can look at sales trends in your area, competitors, and the history of demand for that product or service. A business broker can help you evaluate a variety of opportunities and find what’s right for you.

Do You Want to Be Completely in Charge?

Some people don’t feel like they truly own a business if they cannot make all of the decisions. Being a franchisee gives you many benefits and some freedom, but you still don’t call all the shots. For instance, while you’ll have a protected territory, you will have to follow the company’s guidelines on uniforms, packaging and delivery, and marketing materials. You won’t be able to make any changes without the franchisor’s approval. To some business owners, this will feel uncomfortably restrictive.

For example, if you own restaurant franchise and the company decided to offer all-day breakfast nationwide, your restaurant will have to follow suit. If you didn’t like the decision, you would have to make your concerns known to the company and hope for a change. If you owned a stand-alone restaurant, you are responsible for all decisions. What you offered and when would be completely up to you.

Understanding Franchise Fees

One of the biggest questions in owning a franchise is franchise fees. In most cases, you will pay an initial franchise fee to purchase the franchise. This gives you the right to use the brand name, typically given training and support from the franchisor. Additionally, you will pay a portion of your sales to the franchisor this is considered a royalty payment for the continued use of the brand name and support you will be provided. Before you purchase a franchise, make sure you look at all fees associated with the franchise. Compare that to other business opportunities in your area.

To Franchise or Not to Franchise?

Only you know whether buying a franchise makes sense for you. If you prefer a built-in structure, a protected service area, and corporate assistance with marketing, it may be a great fit. However, you will also have specific rules to follow, franchise fees, and brand responsibilities.

To learn more about what kind of business you should buy, get in touch with us at Murphy Business today. We can talk to you about your needs and share business opportunities that meet your requirements.

What to Expect as a First-Time Business Buyer

If you’re looking to become an entrepreneur, the first decision you have is whether to buy a business or start a new one. There are many advantages to buying a business, including a built-in customer base, operations process, and knowledgeable employees.

However, being a first-time business buyer can be stressful. It’s important to know what to expect and the pitfalls to watch out for along the way.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you buy your first company!

You Won’t Fit Every Business Opportunity

Some people feel that a person with strong business skills should be able to run any company, but that isn’t the case. You don’t want to make a decision based on track record or financials alone. Instead, make sure the business opportunity really fits you.

Do you know the business model? Are you passionate about and familiar with the industry? If not, this company isn’t a good fit for you. For your ideas and innovations to be successful, you must understand the industry and love the work.

It’s Not Good to Go It Alone

You might consider yourself a savvy individual, and you’re probably very smart and have an eye for details. However, you never want to buy a business without help.

There are a lot of pitfalls to watch out for when buying a business. For instance, something that seems too good to be true — in terms of business success or financing — probably is. A business broker can help you ferret out what’s going on behind the scenes.

Don’t let yourself be taken advantage of during a business deal. You’ll find yourself in a terrible financial situation with tons of regret. Instead, work with the right people from the beginning.

There are Several Ways to Value a Business

When you buy a home or car, there’s an accepted way to find a value, and it’s the same for all similar assets. With a business, that’s not the case. However, there are better valuation options to use, depending on the type of business.

For existing businesses that have been around for a while, you might use the earnings approach. Using earnings to determine a value can be done using capitalized earnings or discounted cash flows. However, this method relies on predicting future earnings, which can be difficult.

If you’re buying a business with a lot of capital or assets or hasn’t yet turned a profit, consider the assets approach to valuation. What you do here is take the tangible and intangible asset value and subtract debts and liabilities. With this approach, you look at both the current cash value of assets and the potential return on investment of using them.

The market approach is a final valuation method and may be used together with one of the first two. If similar businesses in the area have sold recently, how much did they sell for? How does that compare with the price you’re being offered now?

Working with a business broker can help you keep these valuation methods straight and use the right one for your industry and situation.

There Are a Variety of Ways to Fund a Business

Just like there are a lot of ways to determine a company’s value, there are a lot of ways to find financing as well.

One of the most common payment arrangements involves using a down payment and then agreeing to pay the seller on a set schedule until the balance is paid off. Make sure the down payment isn’t so large that you struggle to have the capital to run the business afterward.

You can look into traditional or Small Business Administration (SBA) loans as well. Many business buyers find that SBA loans are easier to qualify for and have more favorable terms for entrepreneurs.

Some buyers look into alternatives that can help reduce the purchase price, including issuing stock to employees, assuming business debt, and more. The key is to fully understand the terms of the deal and ensure you aren’t putting yourself in a bad situation.

Murphy Business Can Help You Find Your Dream Company

If you’re ready to purchase a business, you want to find a qualified business broker to help you. Murphy Business is just that. We have many years of experience helping business buyers and sellers, and we know what it takes to close a beneficial deal.

If you’re ready to start the journey of buying a business, contact us today!

How to Be a Great Leader in Uncertain Times

Leading a business in 2020 has been extremely challenging. However, it seems like there are always difficult circumstances in business. From the attacks of 9/11 to the economic meltdown of 2008-10 to COVID-19, tough times surface periodically.

What separates those who do well from those who fail is often a single factor — great leadership.

How can you be a top leader in these uncertain times? Here are ideas you can use today — and in the next crisis.

Learn to Manage Well Remotely
Pandemic or not, remote work is a growing trend. Over the last five years, remote positions grew by 44%. Many top workers look for flexibility and the ability to work from home when they apply for jobs. Crises, such as disease or economic uncertainty, make remote work even more appealing to both companies and their staff.

Are you able to lead successfully from a distance? It requires excellent communication, the technology skills to use project management and video meeting tools, and the ability to engage people and help them feel successful.

Work on being very clear with employees about goals and expectations, along with project plans and timelines. The more you can do this, in person or remotely, the more practice you’ll have for future opportunities.
Also, the fact that every person manages their workload differently is magnified during remote work. Practice seeing that as a benefit, not a threat. Encourage people to work in a way that fits them best.

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
When people can’t see your body language or hear your tone of voice, communication is challenging. Practice being especially clear in emails and using video meetings instead of in-person more often. You’ll learn a lot, and having the opportunity to follow up in person will help avoid misunderstandings while you’re growing.

Help your employees communicate with you more clearly as well. They should be able to define their goals in their own words, tell you how things are going, and give you a heads-up if a project is late.

This level of communication might seem overmuch under normal, in-office circumstances. However, if there’s another crisis or your company decides to make at-home work more available, the skills will be priceless.

Work Closely With Your Leadership Team
One of the things that everyone deeply needs during a difficult time is a sense of stability and routine. One person alone cannot provide that. Be sure you work closely with other leaders in your company to provide a united front and communicate the same message to everyone.

Inconsistency in leadership and messaging in tough times makes problems worse. If you’ve recently bought a business, it’s even more critical to get everyone on the same page. Strive for levelheadedness, empathy, and focused leadership.

Is it Time for a Change for You?
As a leader, you might be ready to take the next step — owning your own business. While this is a challenging economy, the truth is that you will always face obstacles. Don’t let that stop you from moving forward with your dreams!

If you’re ready to take the leap to own your own business, let us help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Contact us today to learn more!

How to Properly Valuate Businesses for Sale

When you’re planning to sell a business or looking at businesses for sale, a detailed business valuation will be crucial. Yet many business sellers and buyers underestimate the importance of valuations, or they misunderstand the valuation process.

So let’s quickly set the record straight.

If you’re selling a business, a valuation has two important functions. 

First, it gives you a sense of how much you’ll get for your business. Without a proper valuation, many business owners have an inaccurate sense of their business’s worth. In these cases, it’s better that owners find this out early — before listing their businesses for sale.

Second, it helps increase the chances of selling your business quickly and at maximum value. Business buyers are much less likely to negotiate pricing than you might expect. If they see a business listed for more than it’s worth, they’ll simply move onto the next listing.

So if your business is overvalued, your listing could stagnate. That extends the time it takes to sell your business. And it can ultimately lower the market value of your business.

If you’re buying a business, the main benefit of valuating businesses for sale should be obvious. When you buy a business, you want to make sure that you’re paying fair value.

But with a proper valuation, you’ll also get a better sense of what returns you can expect from your investment. A professional business valuation will include detailed cash flow projections, giving you a detailed look at how much value the business will generate over the next several years.

Now that we’ve covered the importance of valuating businesses for sale, let’s look at a few different valuation strategies.

How to Valuate Businesses for Sale

If you’re selling or buying a business, there are a few different ways that you can perform a valuation.

Basic Business Valuation Strategies

The simplest strategies used to valuate businesses for sale tend to also be the most common. Examples include:

    • Appraising a business’s assets and liabilities to calculate value
    • Applying a standard multiplier to average annual revenues
    • Applying a standard multiplier to average annual profits

Because of their simplicity, these strategies are popular with independent business sellers and buyers. They’re also common among inexperienced and amateur business brokers.

However, these strategies fail to account for many of the things that actually make a business valuable, particularly after a transfer of ownership. Additionally, they aren’t always an accurate reflection of the market value of businesses for sale.

Professional Business Valuation Services

Given the failings of basic valuation strategies, we strongly recommend hiring a professional business valuation service if you’re selling or buying a business. This should be someone who’s qualified to valuate businesses for sale and who is certified by organizations like the Appraisal Foundation and the Institute of Business Appraisers.

A professional business valuation will consider things like net assets and annual cashflow. But it will also cover a number of additional factors — factors that are much harder to quantify and measure without a valuation specialist.

These include things like the management structure of the business, and whether it’s suitable for operations under new ownership. Many small business owners develop their businesses in a way where, without the owner, the business can no longer operate.

A qualified valuator will know how this impacts the value of a business for a new owner. But this kind of concern will slip by if you apply a basic valuation strategy. And this is only one of the many ways that a valuation specialist can valuate businesses for sale more accurately!

This covers the investment value of a business. But experienced valuators also know how to assess the market value of businesses for sale. 

In some cases, market value may be a different figure from the investment value of a business. Even so, this number will be critical whether you’re selling or buying a business. If you’re selling, you’ll know how much you can reasonably expect to earn from the sale of your business. If you’re buying, it will tell you whether you’re paying a fair rate, based on market indicators.

Selling a business? Looking for businesses for sale? Call Murphy Business today at (888) 561-3243 to connect with a local business broker!

How Murphy Business Brokers Sell a Business

At Murphy Business, the process that we use to sell a business has been honed over 25+ years. Our process offers the flexibility that you need to sell on your terms. At the same time, it delivers the rigorous attention to detail you need on a transaction as valuable and complicated as a business sale.

While Murphy Business Brokers are deeply familiar with this process, most business sellers are not. When you sell a business, the process is kept confidential. Because of this, few business owners know what this process entails.

At Murphy, we strive to be as transparent as possible about this process and how it works. So if you’re getting ready to sell a business, here’s a closer look our system.

Stage 1: Preparing to Sell a Business

If you want to sell a business, you and your business broker need to be on the same page. That’s why Murphy Business brokers never rush clients into engagement agreements.

Instead, we start with a no-strings-attached initial consultation. This gives us the chance to learn about your business, but also about why you’re planning to sell and what you’re hoping to get out of the transaction. At the same time, we’re able to explain our process for how to sell a business. That way, you’ll know exactly what to expect.

After your consultation, we’ll perform a broker’s opinion of value or a business valuation. Some business brokers will often valuate a business by applying a standard multiplier based on the industry. But at Murphy, we know that this is rarely a true reflection of market value. A formal business valuation is performed by a certified valuation specialist, giving you an accurate sense of your business’s market value. This will also help us identify areas where you can increase your business’s value, should you wish to do so.

Once your valuation is complete, we’ll reconvene to discuss your valuation and your next steps. If you wish to proceed, we’ll complete an engagement agreement and proceed to the listing and marketing stage.

Stage 2: Listing & Marketing the Business

When a client agrees to sell a business through Murphy Business, our next step is to create a custom marketing plan for their business.

While creating your business’s marketing plan, we have three core priorities:

    • Reach as many qualified buyers possible
    • Highlight the value offered by your listing
    • Maximize the chances for a timely sale

At this stage, we create a set of bespoke marketing materials. We develop an overview of your business, which will form the basis for your listings. We also prepare detailed documentation on your business, which we provide to qualified buyers after they’ve signed a confidentiality agreement.

To market your business, we target potential buyers through a mix of strategies. Typically, this involves two core marketing channels. Direct marketing strategies help us target buyers whom we’ve pre-identified as high-quality candidates. At the same time, we will list your business on national and international brokerage networks to attract the broadest and deepest possible pool of potential buyers.

We want to make sure that you’re not wasting time and resources on non-serious buyers or those without the means to complete your sale. So once your listing starts to attract interest, we diligently qualify buyers. When you sell a business with Murphy, we use our experience and expertise to narrow the field of possible candidates to the most qualified set of buyers, while maintaining the confidentiality of your sale.

Stage 3: Negotiating & Closing the Transaction

Before we sell a business, Murphy Business brokers want to ensure that the sale is a great fit for both parties. So once we’ve identified one or more qualified buyers, we’ll evaluate offers and help you identify top candidates.

After this, we’ll engage these candidates to negotiate terms of sale. Sometimes, negotiations to sell a business are relatively simple and straightforward. Other times, completing the transaction requires creativity. For example, if the business is considered a somewhat high-risk venture, we can structure the sale so that the seller accepts part of this risk. Having a business broker can be invaluable at this stage to prevent deals from coming apart.

When it’s time to close the transaction, Murphy Business will facilitate the completion of your sale. Our brokers can refer you to any financial or legal specialists whom you may need at this stage. At the same time, we will ensure that your sale is procedurally and legally sound. In many cases, we will assist the buyer by helping acquire traditional financing or a small business loan.

Selling a business can be a long and complicated process. But that process is worth it if you can sell a business at full value, while finding a buyer who will bring the same level of care and passion to the business.

Getting ready to sell a business? Call (888) 561-3243 today to connect with your local Murphy Business office.

What Steps Should I Take When I List My Business?

If you’re a small business owner and you’re getting ready to sell your business, you might feel like you’re in uncharted territory. Selling a business is a complicated process, and it’s easy to make mistakes. What’s more, even a relatively minor misstep could cost you thousands of dollars. So before you proceed, you should be asking yourself: “What steps do I need to take before I list my business?”

At Murphy Business, we have 25+ years of experience selling businesses, and our brokers handle countless small business listings each year. So if you’re wondering what to do before you list your business, we have the answers you need…

“What Should I Do Before I List My Business for Sale?”

Before I list my business, should I hire a valuation service?

Yes, you absolutely should! A professional valuation will be critical to protect your financial and business interests. Without one, you could undervalue your business, causing you to lose value on the transactions. Or you could overvalue your business, causing the listing to stagnate and could affect the final purchase price.

What can I do before I list my business to improve its value?

There are several steps you can take to boost value before you list your business. For example, let’s say you’re involved in every aspect of your business. In this case, the value of your business depends largely on you. That value disappears once you’re gone. So if you want to boost the value of your business, you’ll need to scale back your involvement.

Should I hire a business broker to list my business for sale?

Hiring a business broker is one of the smartest decisions you can make before you list your business. An experienced business broker can walk you through every step of the listing process, provide expert advice on how to maximize the value of your business, and connect you with specialists to help with other aspects of the sale.

“How Should I Go About Listing My Business?”

 What information should I include when I list my business?

When you’re listing a business, you need to think carefully about the information that you’re including. On the one hand, you want to maintain confidentiality, so you don’t want to include identifying information. On the other hand, if you list your business without including important information, you’ll struggle to attract buyers. If you’re unsure what kind of information to include, a professional business broker can help you build a saleable listing.

What information should I NOT include when I list my business?

As noted above, it’s important that you don’t include any information that makes it easy to identify your business. This information should be presented in a detailed, confidential selling document. This document should only be made available after a prospective buyer signs a confidentiality agreement.

Where is the best place to list my business for purchase?

If you’re unsure where to list your business, this is yet another reason to hire a business broker. As an independent seller, you may not be able to access key listing networks, some of which are only available to brokers. Other networks charge expensive fees for listings, which makes it difficult for independent sellers to market their listing.

“What Should I Do After I List My Business?”

After I list my business, should I run it any differently?

Many business owners make the mistake of changing the way they do business after putting their company up for sale. Usually, this is unintentional — the owner knows they’re selling, so they become less invested in the business. The business then starts to underperform, which causes its market value to plummet. In almost every case, you’ll want to continue running your business in the same way after listing.

How should I handle offers after I list my business?

Without professional advice and support, it’s easy to make missteps when handling offers for your business. For example, many sellers jump at the first offer they receive, when it’s usually better to wait and get a sense of how the market values your business. At the same time, it’s important that you qualify any potential buyer before proceeding with negotiations. If you don’t, you could waste valuable time and resources pursuing an offer that won’t go through. Worse yet, you could lose out on properly qualified offers during this process.

Who will handle the regulatory, legal, and financial details of the sale?

If you hire an experienced business broker, you shouldn’t be worried about the finer details of your sale. Successful and respected brokers will use a proven process to make sure these details are handled correctly. In addition to a business broker, you’ll want to make sure that you have a financial advisor and an attorney who specializes in business agreements. If you’re unsure who to hire for either of these roles, a good broker can provide referrals for local specialists.

“And One More Question…”

Who do I contact if I want to list my business with a Murphy Business Broker?

To list your business with a Murphy Business Broker, simply call (888) 561-3243. Our brokers can help you maximize the market value of your business, reach an extensive pool of qualified buyers, and navigate the negotiation process.

Murphy Business helps business owners sell their business.