Nowadays, small and medium sized business owners often consider selling their businesses. There are numerous reasons why people want to sell their businesses. Whatever the motive, there's one thing all business owners have in common: they all want to make a good sale. Business brokers are very motivated in helping you sell your own business. They act as intermediaries between sellers and buyers and offer their assistance throughout the sale process. At SYOB Australia you will find professional guidance if you are looking to sell your own business.
Business brokers, also called business transfer agents, assist both parties in the private business selling process. They have a number of ways in which they assist their clients. First of all, business brokers estimate the value of the business and initiate the advertising phase, without disclosing its identity. Furthermore, a business broker has to handle all interviews, meetings and negotiations with the potential clients. Finally, the broker will be present at the moment of the sale.
There are many ways in which a business broker can aid a business owner in making a profitable sale. One method is by developing a comparative market analysis in order to estimate the value of the business in comparison with other businesses. Business brokers can also promote the business to prospective buyers and prepare the necessary paperwork for the sale. The main task of a business broker is however guiding the business seller throughout the selling process and achieving positive results. Brokers usually do commission-based work. In order to earn a good commission they have to do their best in finding a buyer willing to pay the highest possible price and on the best terms. In their activity, brokers must be very discreet and ensure confidentiality for their clients. A broker must also have very good market knowledge and excellent understanding of how to evaluate a business. There might be situations where buyers are not actually financially qualified for the purchase although they mislead the seller to t
hink so. In these cases the input of a professional broker can be very useful as he can prescreen the buyer and avoid any unpleasant situations. Another reason why a broker is useful when you're trying to sell your own business is that he is used to negotiating. Not being emotionally tied to the transaction is very important for an efficient negotiation and positive results.
When looking to sell your own business, there are a few things you should know. First of all, it's important to have customer diversity. If you don't have any customers which account for more than 5% of your sales you will probably have many offers on the acquisition market. However, if your sales are concentrated in only several customers you might want to focus on diversifying before selling. When a buyer becomes interested in purchasing your business he will surely look at the quality of your management and employees. Furthermore, originality is always a plus where businesses are concerned. If your business brings innovations to the market the interest in buying it will definitely exceed your expectations and you will get the attention of the large companies. Sometimes, a buyer seeks out business owners who have obtained hard to get permits, licenses or approvals. A small or medium business which has a good portfolio of products but a not so good distribution system may become a valuable asset in the hands of a strategic buyer. Industry exposure and well-developed growth plans are only two of many other things which might draw the attention to your business.
There are dozens of aspects buyers look into when considering making an acquisition. From profitability to management, everything is important. If you want to successfully sell your own business you should seek professional advice about the strategies that will get you a higher sale price. SYOB is prepared to offer you the valuable assistance you've been looking for.
Agreement To Sell Business
Over the years their business had grown slowly but surely; an incremental growth that was fueled by hard work and careful reinvestment back into the business. All appeared to be going their way up until the past few years.
Sales unexpectedly began to go flat and many of their more expensive items were not selling. They still sold sheet music and guitar picks and the cheaper items; but drum sets and pianos were simply not moving.
Still, they were optimistic that things would improve. They still had good foot traffic in the store and the local schools kept sending music students to rent instruments. But more and more Julie and Michael could see their working capital was tied up in high ticket items that did not sell.
Finally one of their better customers did not purchase their youngest child's instrument from Julie and Michael. Frustrated and alarmed, Julie called the customer and asked what the problem was.
The customer replied there was no problem but his budget was especially strained with buying braces and a new car. He added that once he knew what instrument his kid needed he simply bought it on the Internet for about 20% less.
That 20% was part of the margin Julie and Michael were getting as the difference between wholesale and retail.
Julie and Michael were victims of the "look at it here but buy it cheaper on the Internet" syndrome. E-commerce technologies had opened up the distribution channels and e-commerce based companies were willing to sell the same products at less than standard retail; after all, these e-commerce companies didn't have the overhead of a large retail store.
Stunned and disappointed, Julie and Michael decided to sell their business before things got even worse. They put their business up for sale and were certain someone younger that loved music would buy their labor of love. In the first three months they had no serious inquiries so they lowered the price.
After six months they had an inquiry from a serious but astute buyer. The buyer examined their financials and stated the business had been in decline and needed a "miracle turnaround" to make it work. In the end the buyer offered them a third of what they were asking and then simply walked away.
Julie and Michael's problem was their original business model and business plan were now obsolete. Even a not so bright prospect could see that things had been going downhill and more of the same could be expected.
Since the business had little potential and was showing declining profits, no one was interested. Buyers are interested in what's in it for them, not the sweat equity that goes into building up a business.
In the end Julie and Michael did sell but certainly not on their terms. They ended up selling the equity in their inventory and not the business per se; sort of a liquidation fire sale. And needless to say at a lower price they had ever imagined.
Julie and Michael were dejected. They had spent the better part of their working lives building their "baby" business only to see their equity drained as profits declined.
In fact, they learned that for the past several years they had been paying themselves not from profits but from their already earned equity.
In hindsight, Julie and Michael learned they waited about three years too late to sell. But human nature being what it is they weren't interested in selling when times were good; they waited until they became somewhat desperate.
The lesson Julie and Michael learned too late was sell while the business valuation is at its highest.
Both Kenwilson & Jack Deal are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kenwilson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Acne Treatment and Wedding Bells. Many people are interested in making either business purchases or sales. The market is constantly developing and there are quite a few opportunities out there.
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