What is a business broker? And what you should expect when working with one.
A business broker is a professional who assists in the buying and selling of businesses, helping to connect buyers and sellers while also acting as an intermediary throughout the process.
They have a thorough unde ...
One of the top questions business brokers get from owners is, "what should I do to prepare my business to sell." Fortunately, many things you should be working on to sell are things you should be working on anyway. These 10 tips will help you improve your business before selling.
Clean Up You ...
Let’s talk about you putting off your exit planning strategy. Have you thought about the long-term strategy of your business? Are you planning to sell? Do you have a succession plan? Or have you been too busy working in your business to even think about an exit strategy?
"A bad plan is better ...
While the value of most publicly traded companies is well known, most privately owned companies' value is unknown and potentially wildly inaccurate. Most business owners only seek a business valuation when there is an immediate need. But company valuations can be beneficial whether for your busi ...
Do You Want to Eventually Sell Your Business? If so, this guide is going to provide you with the information to make selling your business easier & more profitable.
First off, do you know how much your business is worth?
I am going to explain: Why this matters, How it is calcula ...
Prospective business buyers often make the terrible mistake of being overzealous when talking with a seller for the first time. I get it; you’re excited. Perhaps you have spent a ton of time looking at listings and do not want to waste any time on potential businesses that fail to meet your cr ...
Posted by Dick Halterman Murphy Business – Shenandoah Valley, Virginia on
Natural disasters may hit at any time of the year, but the recent wildfires in Colorado and derecho (line of violent thunderstorms) that cut a path across the Midwest and mid-Atlantic have made Americans aware that the atmosphere is often very unstable during the summer months.
Have you given any t ...
Posted by Laura Barbara, Murphy Business Broker on
I have very fond memories of my first “real” job. After all, this was my initial step into the real world: no longer did I receive cash for a few hours of watching someone’s children; I now had my hands on an official paycheck – complete with my social security number, full a ...
Most business owners seek a valuation for their company when there’s an immediate need — they’re ready to sell or raise capital now, or they have a shareholder that is being bought out or gifting equity to family.
But valuations can be useful whether a deal is imminent or not. We ...
Posted by Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC on
If I sell the business now, will I get enough money to satisfy my needs?
Will I really improve my personal financial position, or should I wait a little bit longer?
Define priorities: Do I want an all-cash deal, so that I can wash my hands and be done with the business? (This will generally resu ...
Posted by Murphy Business Broker – Shelly Stansfield on
Two recent discussions are worth considering when thinking of about selling your business. One gentleman wants to sell his business to a couple employees in a couple of years and the other wants to sell in 10 years.
TWO YEAR GOAL: A moderately successful business owner and I discussed having a ...
Posted by Business Broker Russell Cohen | Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC on
Anyone selling a business should be considering the elements of the sales process. Business brokers are invaluable in each of these considerations:
Think It Through – Know What You Want
Do you want to retire completely or continue to have a hand or profit in the business? Do you want to move ...
Posted by Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC on
An established business has much to offer a prospective buyer. A proven product or service exists, as well as a customer base. Typically, there are experienced employees and managers in place (and many choose to remain with the company after the sale is complete). There is a cash flow from the first ...
Posted by Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC on
Today we are offering a wish list for a typical seller of a small business. Entrepreneurs who are selling their companies, as well as those looking to purchase, generally agree on what would make the process more seamless overall.
What the seller wants:
A qualified buyer - This not onl ...
Posted by Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC on
We recently presented a wish list for a typical seller of a small business. Now, it's the buyer's turn.
Entrepreneurs - whether they are buyers or sellers - generally agree on several factors that make the business transfer process more seamless overall.
A buyer wants:
A solid business ...
Posted by Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC on
When you begin to negotiate the sale of the business, you will be much better off if you have developed a personal plan and have prioritized which items in the deal are the most important to you and which items you can compromise on and still accomplish your objectives.
Prioritize which items are ...
Posted by Dick Halterman Murphy Business – Shenandoah Valley, Virginia on
From time to time, I am in the unfortunate position of telling some 50-year old business owner that they "just don’t have any goodwill". "But we have been around forever, or our name is like a household word in the community, or we literally have thousands of customers"&nbs ...
Posted by Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC on
Here are some of the obvious, and not so obvious, steps you can take as you get ready to sell your business:
Clean the premises
Organize the books and records
Deal with any customer/vendor/employee issues prior to the sale
Try to increase revenues without sacrificing margin (increasing revenue ...
Posted by Business Broker Russell Cohen | Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC on
You've spent a lifetime building up your business. Whether you have always planned to move on or are selling your business due to the continuing pressures exerted by the many recent economic downturns, you will be looking to achieve the greatest profit attainable for your efforts.
That is why i ...
Posted by Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC on
The biggest financial transaction in a private business owner's life is likely the sale of his or her business. Although many transfers are predetermined, others result from unplanned events, which is why it is essential for business owners to have an exit strategy.
Operate your business as if ...
