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Buying a Business
Reading and Writing a Letter of Intent
The 411 on LOIs A Letter of intent (LOI) (also sometimes called a term sheet, expression of interest, or indication of interest) is an informal offer made by a strategic or potential buyer of (or investor in) a business. Regardless of its name, a LOI is drafted in the preliminary stage of the sale of […]
Acquisitions: That Company May Be Good to Own, but Tough to Buy
Inaction Dissatisfaction is Preferable to Buyer’s Remorse At a client’s recent board meeting we were evaluating making a bid on a rival business worth $100 million. Our management had spent years positioning itself for the opportunity to obtain this business, and now that acquisition was finally upon us. Even though it was an extremely large […]
Strategic vs. Financial Buyers: Distinctive Ways of Acquiring Businesses
Buyers’ End Game Affects Suitability As an owner considers a sale of a business, it is critical to identify the goals of the transaction, and match those objectives with the most suitable prospective buyer. There are many different kinds of buyers that might be well suited to acquire the business. Buyers are often grouped into […]
Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs): Meeting Business Succession Objectives
Does Legacy Rate Higher with You, or Pure Profit? Thinking about selling your business? Is maintaining its integrity and mission more important to you than pure profit? Then an Employee Stock Ownership Plan may be something to consider. Some business owners simply want to derive the highest value from the sale of their company, and […]
Musings and More About “Market” Terms in Transactions
An Overreliance on Market Terms Business professionals commonly negotiate transactions by reference to what is “market.” This makes great sense for the people who are responsible for negotiating price. Valuation and pricing methods are relatively tried and true after all, and math is an exact science. This is not to suggest that buyers and sellers […]
Retaining Tribal Knowledge For Your Company’s Long-Term Health
Tribal Knowledge: Be in the Know America is getting older. Not just in terms of it having a birthday every year, but in terms of the percentage of people closing in on retirement. You can thank the aging Baby Boomer population for that. What that says to me is that any company with a significant […]
Don’t Go It Alone: The Best Advisor You Can Hire Is Worth Every Penny
The Best Advisor You Can Hire Would Hire Herself, Too The best advisor you can hire will be a clever and a creative problem solver who interacts with you with total integrity, honesty, and ethical conduct. The worst? Someone’s goal of growing richer and richer at your expense- and that’s one of the better scenarios. […]
Succession Planning and Exit-Strategies Are Too Important to Ignore
Business owners say they understand the importance of transition planning, yet few actually plan their exit. What is going to happen when you finally relinquish day-to-day control over your business? Are you going to sell it and live off the proceeds? Do you have a successor lined up to continue your legacy? Only you can know but, whatever you have in mind, it pays to have a formal and well thought-out succession plan and exit strategy.
Pre-Sale: Cleaning Up Your Balance Sheet
Before you sell your business, make sure to minimize your expenses and maximize your presented earnings.
You’re a business owner who is contemplating a sale. Intuitively, you understand that it’s important to make your business look as attractive as possible to potential buyers. If you haven’t sold a business before, you probably don’t know the best way to accomplish this.
Seller Financing: How to Strengthen Your Deal
In the right circumstances, seller financing can be the key to negotiating a better deal or closing more quickly. Seller beware, however, because cash is king and you will have to sue a buyer who defaults on an obligation to pay a Seller Note.
