10 Key Risk Drivers Affecting the Sale of Your Business

If you’re thinking of selling your business in the next 3-5 years, you may want to consider possible risk drivers that could affect the purchase price of your company. Assessing these factors is key for sellers seeking to maximize the value of their business in preparation of a sale. Some of the key risk factors […]

Stay Bonuses Add Value When Selling A Business

We’re selling a business in which a management team member holds a minority equity stake. This critical employee stands to get a small windfall in the sale. On top of that, the seller was telling us she meant to give this employee a nice financial gift as a thank you afterwards. That’s where we pumped […]

Structuring an M&A Deal

Orchestrating an M&A deal involves several key steps, including valuation, documentation, buyer identification, negotiation, and due diligence. Here is a general outline of how to structure an M&A deal: It’s important to note that M&A transactions can be complex and involve many legal, financial, and operational considerations. As a result, it is common for both […]

Business Values Up In 2021

Business values increased in 2021 despite ongoing challenges from the pandemic, talent shortages, and supply chain disruption. Deal activity continued at an intense pace, with advisors across the country reporting increases in both incoming deal flow and completed engagements. More advisors characterized this as a seller’s market than nearly any other time in the last […]

Tracking Your Business Perks

Business owners take any number of perks from their business, from the more standard items like auto expenses, memberships, and insurance plans to extras like entertainment, vacations, or an additional family member on the books. Perks are a way for owners to be further compensated for their hard work. However, these perks can also complicate […]

When is the Right Time to Plan the Sale of Your Business

If you are a business owner, at some point you have likely asked yourself, “I wonder how much my business is worth.” Perhaps you’re considering selling, thinking about estate planning, or maybe you’re just curious if your business strategy is adding value. We’re seeing that many sellers start reaching out to their trusted advisors such […]

Retention Raises Business Value, Especially Now

“To win in the marketplace, you must first win in the workplace.” Those words of Doug Conant, business leader and former CEO of Campbell Soup Company, ring particularly true today. The talent market was tight before the pandemic, but now we’re in a critical state. Finding employees, and keeping them, is a challenge for everyone. […]

Financing M&A In A Pandemic

The year 2020 was anything other than ordinary and customary. Deal volume was down, like in most recessions. But unlike other recessions, valuations held strong or even increased, at least for COVID-proof organizations. So how are deals getting done in this economy? The capital stack has shifted to greater equity investment, partially by a buyer’s […]

Escaping M&A “Deal Killers”

When selling your business, you can expect to hit a couple of snags before the deal is complete. But proper planning can help you avoid the most common “deal killers” like these: Deal Killer 1: Time We have a saying in the M&A industry: “Time kills all deals.” The longer it takes to complete negotiations […]