Valuation

Negotiating Successfully with a Professional Business Broker

Navigating the complex world of business sale transactions in Austin, Texas, can be a daunting task without the assistance of professional business brokers. In a city teeming with growth and opportunity like Austin, business brokers play a crucial role in seamlessly connecting sellers and buyers, facilitating successful negotiations, and ensuring a smooth transition of ownership.…

Read More »

What to Look for in A Quality Business Broker

Navigating the waters of buying or selling a business can be an intricate venture. The expertise and guidance of a skilled business broker can be invaluable in this process. A business broker not only facilitates the sale but also offers professional advice on valuation, negotiations and legalities. This article provides key insights on what to…

Read More »

How Does Your Business Compare?

When considering the value of your company, there are basic value drivers. While it is difficult to place a specific value on them, one can take a look and make a “ballpark” judgment on each. How does your company look? Value Driver Low Medium High Business Type Little Demand Some Demand High Demand Business Growth…

Read More »

Valuing the Business: Some Difficult Issues

Business valuations are almost always difficult and often complex. A valuation is also frequently subject to the judgment of the person conducting it. In addition, the person conducting the valuation must assume that the information furnished to him or her is accurate. Here are some issues that must be considered when arriving at a value for…

Read More »

Two Similar Companies ~ Big Difference in Value

Consider two different companies in virtually the same industry. Both companies have an EBITDA of $6 million – but, they have very different valuations. One is valued at five times EBITDA, pricing it at $30 million. The other is valued at seven times EBITDA, making it $42 million. What’s the difference? One can look at the usual checklist for…

Read More »

Three Basic Factors of Earnings

Two businesses for sale could report the same numeric value for “earnings” and yet be far from equal. Three factors of earnings are listed below that tell more about the earnings than just the number. 1. Quality of earnings Quality of earnings measures whether the earnings are padded with a lot of “add backs” or one-time…

Read More »

What is the Value of Your Business? It All Depends.

The initial response to the question in the title really should be: “Why do you want to know the value of your business?” This response is not intended to be flippant, but is a question that really needs to be answered. Does an owner need to know for estate purposes? Does the bank want to…

Read More »

Creating Value in Privately Held Companies

“As shocking as it may sound, I believe that most owners of middle market private companies do not really know the value of their company and what it takes to create greater value in their company … Oh sure, the owner tracks sales and earnings on a regular basis, but there is much more to…

Read More »

What Would Your Business Sell For?

There is the old anecdote about the immigrant who opened his own business in the United States. Like many small business owners, he had his own bookkeeping system. He kept his accounts payable in a cigar box on the left side of his cash register, his daily receipts – cash and credit card receipts –…

Read More »

Checklist for Valuation

1. Start with the business –  Value Drivers:  Size, growth rate, management, niche, history –  Value Detractors:  Customer concentration Poor financials Outdated M&E Few assets Lack of agreements with employees, customers, suppliers Poor exit possibilities Small market Potential technology changes Product or service very price sensitive 2. Financial analysis: Market Value – comparables Multiple of Earnings – based…

Read More »