Smart Exit: The Power of Wealth Management

In the latest episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen was joined by Ed Lee, Investment Advisor at RBC, to talk about the importance of holistic wealth planning and management now to set business owners and their families up for a successful future. Here are the 5 key takeaways for […]
Mastering Mergers: Acquisition Lessons Learned

In the latest episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen gets the inside scoop and buyer perspective from recent client Sean Brown, Partner at Summit Ridge Capital and now CEO of Burloak Tool & Die. Here are the 5 key takeaways for those thinking about or ready to acquire a […]
The M&A Lawyer Leverage

In the latest episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen and Kevin Fernandes, Partner at KMB Law, discussed the critical role M&A lawyers play in rounding out a seller’s comprehensive and competitive deal team. Here are the 5 key takeaways for business owners thinking about or ready to sell. Some […]
M&A Trends: Six-Month Update For 2023

If you follow global M&A news, you may know that larger deals have seen a slowdown these last six months, as rising interest rates and fears of a banking crisis have affected the market. According to data from Dealogic, global M&A deal volume fell by 17% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the […]
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 […]
Planning to Sell? Set Your Business Up for Success

Over 75% of small and medium-sized business owners in Canada are looking to sell their business over the next decade according to new research from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). This equates to transfers of over $2 trillion worth of corporate assets in the coming years. Business owners stated retirement (75%), burnout (22%), […]
When Should You Have Your Business Valuated

As a business owner, the value of your company is more than just a number. Yet, it is essential to understand that number to make informed decisions for the future of your business. Business valuations help measure the value of a company using financial principles. It is useful in determining the fair market price for […]
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. […]
Know the 3 Types of Business Buyers and What Motivates Them

When selling your business, you may receive offers from three kinds of buyers: strategic, financial, and individual. Here’s a look at the most common buyers and where their motivations lie. Strategic buyer: The strategic buyer is a company that is looking to grow by acquiring another business that has synergies with its own. The idea is […]