Articles by Anne Brown on ArticleSnatch.com

How a Business Broker can Save a Deal

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:43:40 -0500

A business broker is not only responsible for bringing a buyer and seller of a business together. A skilled business broker is also the intermediary that can help save a business sale if required. Selling a business is a process that is unlike the sale of a building or land. A business is typically sold as a going concern. As such, there are many points throughout the process where a deal can fall apart. A buyer may see something in the financial due diligence that causes some concern, there may be a miscommunication, a financing issue or perhaps a simple case of cold feet. A business broker should be able to address each concern with a sense of professionalism. Sometimes legitimate reasons come up where a buyer needs to walk away from the sale and the only logical course of action is that the transactions not go though. Other times, the reasons for a deal unraveling are simply unfounded and are usually based on miscommunication. This is when a business broker can add significant value to the business sale and help the buyer and seller come together. **End Summary** Topics: Business Broker Ontario]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Businesses for sale. Toronto Business Brokers to assist you sell a business or buy a business for sale . If you are thinking of buying or selling a business in Ontario, Canada please contact us.

Business Brokers Assistance with a Letter of Intent

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:59:53 -0500

Business brokers are often asked by buyers to draft an 'offer' on a particular business for sale they might be interested in. Offers can take several different formats though. The most common offer to buy a small business for sale is a conditional purchase offer. This agreement stipulates the common deal points like price, terms and other conditions. The conditional agreement is moved forward by the buyer who usually waives conditions as they become fulfilled until the deal goes firm. The other common document that is used by buyers is the Letter of Intent (LOI). This article will examine some of the unique attributes of a Letter of Intent and how business brokers can assist in drafting one. Non-binding A letter of intent is usually a non-binding agreement that outlines the major deal points of what the buyer is considering. It is usually a precursor to the due diligence process and is an important document that allows a buyer and seller determine if there is possibly a deal to be had. Most LOIs are non-binding in that both parties to the transaction are not obligated to the terms contained therein. **End Summary** Topics: Business brokers canada]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Toronto Business Brokers to assist you sell a business or buy a business for sale. Toronto Business Brokerage . If you are thinking of buying or selling a business in Ontario, Canada please contact us.

Why Business brokers leave their profession

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:25:17 -0500

The field of business brokerage has many positive attribute that attracts many would be ‘business brokers’ to the profession. The potential earnings are lucrative, the hours are flexible and the ability to meet many interesting people and companies can be quite stimulating. The reality is the business brokerage has a very high failure rate. It is said that the majority of people who enter this profession will leave it within their first year. This article will examine some of the reasons why a business broker may leave the profession, to provide better insight to those thinking of embarking on this career. Easy to get into business brokerage – difficult to succeed In the province of Ontario, it is relatively easy to get started as a “business broker” (the proper terminology is actually salesperson though). One must be properly registered according to the requirements of the Real Estate & Business Brokers Act, 2002 in order to sell businesses. Although it is relatively easy to get into the industry, it is quite another to succeed in it. **End Summary** Topics: business brokers canada]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Businesses for sale. Toronto Business Brokers to assist you sell a business or buy a business in Ontario and surrounding areas. If you are thinking of buying or selling a business in Ontario, Canada please contact us.

Business Brokers and Geographic Market

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:03:04 -0500

Often, people will confuse the profession of business brokerage with the sale of real estate. Although there are similarities on the surface, there are in fact many differences. Business brokers usually serve a much broader geography since, unlike real estate; a business broker needs to understand a company along its industry and valuation parameters. Neighborhood location has much less to do with a business valuation than a neighborhood might have for a house in the suburbs. This article will explore some of the reasons a business broker usually serves a much larger territory than the typical ‘real estate agent’. Business Brokers Usually Work an Asset Class As mentioned, a realtor may be familiar with the market for real property in a city or neighborhood and they may make much effort to familiarize themselves with local market issues which drive values. A business broker may focus much less on geography per se, since their focus is dominated by the size of the business and industry. **End Summary** Topics: business brokers]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Business Brokers and Geographic Markets. Contact our business brokerage to help guide you through the process of how to sell a business. We serve southern Ontario from Toronto to Hamilton and surrounding areas in the GTA.

How to select a Business Broker?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:55:03 -0500

If you are a businessperson thinking of selling your company, the business broker you decide to work with is an important decision to make. Your relationship with this professional may last several months so it is important that you choose wisely. This article will go over some of the main criteria to think about before you finally select the business broker to work with. Be honest with the business broker Discuss what your goals and objectives are. This will assist the business intermediary immensely during the planning phase. If you have a time constraint or a pricing issue that is important to you, share it with the business brokerage early in the process. Ask the broker how they will market your business Selling a business is not like selling real estate. If a broker simply expect to list your business for sale on MLS and not do much else, then you’re not dealing with a professional with much experience in selling businesses Ask the business broker to assist you in pricing the business Ask them to defend the price they think your business will sell for and how they come to that figure. **End Summary** Topics: Business Broker Ontario]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Choosing a business broker is an important decision. Contact our business brokerage to help guide you through the process of how to buy or sell a business. We serve southern Ontario from Toronto to Hamilton.

Career as a Business Broker

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:46:33 -0500

If you are interested in starting a career as a business broker in Canada there are some very exciting attributes to the profession. There are also some realities that you must understand before embarking on a career in business brokerage. Much like a real estate agent, a business broker is involved as the intermediary in the sale of a business between a buyer and a seller. A “business broker” must be licensed by the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) and is governed under the Real Estate & Business Brokers Act, 2002. Once properly licensed, a person must be then employed by a brokerage and is ready to embark on an exciting new career. As a business intermediary, the career is similar to ‘real estate’ but also much different in many important ways. It is similar to real estate in that you operate independently and assist in transactions. Business brokerage is much different though in that selling a business is a very different process than selling real estate. There must be no confusion around this. **End Summary** Topics: business broker career]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> A career as a business broker ? Contact our business brokerage to help guide you through the process of how to buy or sell a business. We serve southern Ontario from Toronto to Hamilton.

Net Asset & Goodwill Valuation Principles for Selling a Small Business

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:50:13 -0400

When you consider selling a small business, there are a few ‘typical’ ways in which a small business can be valued. One way is to determine the net vale of the business’s tangible assets such as equipment, machinery, inventory, furniture, etc. Another ‘typical’ way a small business is valued is on the basis of a multiple of Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE). It is important to understand when to use which approach and the implications to you as a small business owner looking to determine the selling price of a business. Valuing a Small Business Based on Net Asset Value If you determine the value of a business based on the net asset value, you essentially determine what the current value of the business’s assets is and set the selling price on that basis. This method is not typically used for business ventures that are a going concern. Using this approach does not assign any worth to future cashflow generated by the company. It is an ‘asset sale’ in the truest sense of the word. This approach also has a perception issue. **End Summary** Topics: selling small business]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Net Asset & Goodwill Valuation Principles for Selling a Small Business . Contact our business brokerage to help guide you through the process of how to buy or sell a business. We serve southern Ontario from Toronto to Hamilton. Professional business brokerage.

Knowing when to accept a business sale

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:10:24 -0400

It has been said many times that selling a business is an emotional process. As an owner, you must know well in advance what is important to you and also be somewhat flexible on deal terms if you want to successfully sell your company. When an offer to purchase is submitted for your company, you may very well be disappointed with the first offer. As the owner, it is your prerogative to accept, reject or counter on any offer you receive. No matter how you proceed though, it is important to not have any regrets after the fact. Knowing when to accept an offer to purchase a business If you’re not too far apart on price Suppose you are selling a business worth $400,000 and you and the buyer are only $5,000 or even $10,000 apart on the price. You need to ask yourself if it is worth it to push hard during the negotiations to get the final few dollars you were hoping for. You should always get want you want from the sale but be careful you don’t get caught up in the heat of the moment and second guess your decisions later on. **End Summary** Topics: business sale]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knowing when to accept a business sale ? Contact our business brokerage to help guide you through the process of how to buy or sell a business. We serve southern Ontario from Toronto to Hamilton.

The Challenge in Finding Good Businesses for Sale

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:02:44 -0400

As a business buyer, it may seem extremely challenging to find good & profitable businesses for sale. The business re-sale marketplace is not as liquid or robust as the MLS system for selling real estate and this can be frustrating. Below is a summary of why it may be difficult to find a good business for sale in the Toronto, Ontario region and what you can do to increase your chances of finding one. The business resale market is competitive The ratio of the number of good businesses for sale to the number of people looking to buy does not coincide with the real estate marketplace. There are simply many more buyers than there are profitable businesses for sale. The key point to remember is that although there may appear to be many business listings online, many of these businesses are not as profitable as they appear to be or have declining sales, profitability or may be mispriced. Buying a business should almost be approached as a part-time job. If you are looking online, you must sift through the business listings and talk to several sellers before you find a good business to buy. **End Summary** Topics: businesses for sale]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The challenge in finding a good business for sale . Contact our business brokers to help you buy or sell a small business. We serve southern Ontario, Canada from Toronto to Hamilton. Professional business brokerage services.

Listing a Middle Market Business For Sale

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:10:58 -0400

Selling a middle market company is a different type of transaction that requires a professional business intermediary that is familiar with transacting such deals. However, listing a business for sale in the ‘middle market’ space can be tricky in that there are not many professional intermediaries in the Toronto, Ontario region that are equipped to handle deals valued at over $1 million and under $5 million in size. There certainly are many mergers & acquisitions firms that handle the higher level transactions but there are relatively few M&A professionals in Ontario, Canada that deal in under the $5 million value level. That being said, if you own a business that falls into that range then there are a few options for you to explore. Some business owners try selling their business themselves but this is not an advisable approach as most people are unfamiliar with how to sell a business effectively. If you insist, you can attempt this by contacting your personal and professional network or even approaching some competitors you think might are interested in acquiring your company. You may quickly realize, however, that you do require professional assistance and turn to a business broker to assist you. **End Summary** Topics: Businesses for sale]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Selling a middle market company is a different type of transaction. Buying a Business for sale in Toronto, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.

High Demand Businesses For Sale

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:51:45 -0400

There are many different businesses for sale listed on the popular websites at any given time. The important thing to notice is that many of these business listings simply languish and so not sell for months or even longer. Others, however, are able to attract multiple offers and sell rather quickly. It begs the question what is the difference? Very simply, some businesses for sale are in high demand and others are not. Below is a brief examination of some of the factors that contribute to a business for sale being in demand on the market. Appropriate selling price of the business It is absolutely crucial to note that if you intend on selling a business that the price must be at or near the market value of the business. If a business price is set too high then potential buyers who would otherwise be interested in the listing will simply not enquire about it. Work with a business broker or a business valuator to advise you a fair listing price for the company. **End Summary** Topics: ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Business Broker Some businesses for sale are in high demand and others are not. Buying or Selling a Business in Ontario, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business

Why Business Brokers May Not List Your Business for Sale

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:48:45 -0400

Business brokers typically work very hard to attract business for sale listings. The business brokerage profession is quite demanding and brokers, accordingly, need to be somewhat discerning in the business listings they take on. The following is an examination of some of the reasons why a business broker may not take you on as a client if you are looking to sell a business. Price the business is to be listed at A business broker will only take on a business listing if he or she thinks that they have a reasonable chance of selling it. If the price is too high and the broker feels that that the company is overpriced, they may not take you on as a client to sell the business. Geographic location of the business for sale Suppose you live in Niagara Falls, Ontario or Kitchener or Guelph then perhaps a Toronto business broker may not work with you simply for geographic reasons. It may be too far to travel to show the business to buyers or perhaps business brokers in Toronto might not be as familiar with other markets further out of the GTA. **End Summary** Topics: ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Business Broker Why business brokers may not list your business for sale? Buying a Small Business for sale in Toronto, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.

Telling Your Employees When Selling a Business

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:51:12 -0400

If you are selling a business, there are many different roles you will need to assume as the owner. You will need to deal with your various advisors on the deal: business broker, accountant and solicitor and also still run your business to the best of your ability. Another main function you will have to think about is how to inform your staff that you are selling your business. This article will explore some different timelines and approached on how to inform employees and also Telling your employees too early that you are selling your business The risk in telling your staff that you are selling too early in the process is that they might get nervous and start looking for another job. They may also disclose to your competitors that you are looking to sell and that could raise some red flags that youâ€™d like to avoid. Itâ€™s also possible that the value of your business is in part impacted by the quality of employees you have been able to attract. Should they leave too early then that could impact you business valuation. **End Summary** Topics: selling your business]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> When to tell your employees when selling a business? Buying a Small Business for sale in Toronto, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.

Business Seller's Remorse and Business Buyer's Apprehensio

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:42:55 -0400

Buying or selling a business is as much an emotional decision as it is a financial one. The point of this article is not to explain that sellerâ€™s remorse or the apprehension of a business buyer exists this much is obvious. The purpose of this article to provide some insight as to why it might exist and how best to handle it if you are the opposite party to the transaction. Business Sellerâ€™s Remorse Sometimes business buyers approach a purchase negotiation with a no holds barred attitude and donâ€™t pay enough attention to the sensitive nature of some business sales. Some business owners sell their business very reluctantly and do not appreciate a hard-nosed or confrontational approach. The point is, as a business buyer, you must know when to give and when to take. Suppose the business for sale that you are enquiring about is a company that is being sold due to the death of one of the spouses. A better approach to a listing like this would be to use sensitivity, tact and reassure the remaining spouse that you will continue to run the business in the manner in which the previous owner had envisioned. **End Summary** Topics: selling your business]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Buying or selling a business is as much an emotional decision as it is a financial one. Buying or Selling a Business in Ontario, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.

The Importance of Keeping Perspective When Buying a Small Business

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:40:04 -0400

As a buyer of a small business it is important to make rational decisions based on facts. However, it is also critical to maintain perspective when going through the business purchase transaction. Buying a small business can be a (relatively) straightforward matter but there is the risk in over-analyzing the deal, thereby causing the process to fall apart. This article will examine the â€˜prosâ€™ of keeping things simple. If you are buying a relatively small business, around $50,000 purchase price for instance, please try to understand that the process will be different than if you are buying a business 10 or 20 times that amount. Too often, people get focused on the minutia of buying a business that their sense of perspective suffers. Example, suppose you found a service business for sale priced at $50,000 and it came with some tools, equipment, a non-compete agreement from the old owner, a vehicle and some training from the existing owner. Your job as a buyer might be to negotiate a good purchase price and then verify that a market truly exists for the service being sold. The due diligence process should be thorough, but within reason. **End Summary** Topics: Buying a Small Business]]> business broker]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Business Brokerage Keep percpective when buying a small business ! Selling a Business in Ontario, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.

Other Costs to Consider When Selling a Business

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:38:37 -0400

When you decide to sell a business, it is important to determine a fair selling price but you, as the business owner, must also have a fairly good grasp of the other costs involved in the sale. An accountant and lawyer should certainly advise you on these issues. Here are a few other costs to keep in mind though when you are selling a business. Taxes After you sell your business you may be responsible for paying some taxes to the government. You will likely have to pay provincial taxes to Ontario as well as Canadian federal taxes. Your accountant can go over tax differences such as income taxed at the personal income tax rate and capital gains rates. Also, there are some very important differences depending on if you sell assets in your company or the deal is structured as a share sale. If your business is owned by an Ontario limited company then how earnings or sale proceeds are taken out of the corporation should be examined as well. Employee Severance Costs If you own a business that you are selling that has several long-term employees there are some important issues you need to discuss with your lawyer. **End Summary** Topics: Selling a Business]]> business broker]]> Business Brokerage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Business Brokerage What are other costs while selling a business ? Selling a Business in Ontario, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.

How Business Brokers Advertise Businesses for Sale

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:36:53 -0400

If you are thinking of selling a business and have decided to work with a business broker, you may have some questions on how business brokers (typically) market a business for sale. Although there is no â€˜cookie cutterâ€™ approach to selling businesses, there are some usual tactics that a business brokerage can use to get the word out confidentially that there is a business for sale listing they are representing. Their Own Network A business broker should have a strong referral network and should have a relevant â€˜sphere of influenceâ€™ that they can draw upon to let it be known that they are in the business of selling businesses. A professional business broker should constantly be in touch with the advisors small businesses and entrepreneurs these are typically lawyers, accountants and other professionals. This is one of the most important assets that a business broker has. Database of Business Buyers A good business broker will collect information from people who have expressed an interest in buying a business to them. Deal with a professional who has a large database of potential investors he or she can present businesses for sale to. **End Summary** Topics: Business Brokers]]> Businesses for Sale]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ontario Business Brokers Where does a business broker advertise business for sale? Buying a Small Business for sale in Toronto, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.

The Business Sales Market in Ontario, Canada

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:34:38 -0400

Searching the business for sale listings online can be a very trying experience especially for those who are unaware how difficult it may be to find a good business for sale. The market to find an existing company to purchase in Ontario is quite illiquid, relatively speaking. For example, in the real estate market there exists a central clearinghouse for real estate listed with a brokerage the multiple listings service (MLS). Most businesses for sale, however, are not listed on the MLS (for some good reasons) so the same efficiency in the business re-sale market does not exist unfortunately. This article will look at some reasons why most businesses listed with a business broker are exclusive listingsâ€ and why the business re-sale market is not as liquid as the real property market. Business brokers take on â€˜exclusiveâ€™ listings Selling a business through a business brokerage usually means signing on with the brokerage with an â€˜exclusiveâ€™ listing and not a â€˜multipleâ€™ listing. The main difference is that an exclusive listing is listed with a specific brokerage and the information does not get shared with the other brokerages that are a part of the local board. **End Summary** Topics: business for sale]]> The Business Sales Market]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Business Brokerage The Business Sales Market in Ontario, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business

Selling a Business to a Family Member

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:32:08 -0400

Baby boomers who own businesses and are looking to retire often look within their own personal networks first when considering selling a business. People often have an urge to deal with someone they know when it comes time to sell their business and many times the idea of selling a small business to a family member may seem like a logical choice. Sometimes the transaction goes smoothly and there are no complications. Sometimes, however, the deal adds significant pressure to a relationship and things can go wrong very quickly. This article will explore some of the negative consequences of selling a company to a family member because people usually donâ€™t consider the worst case scenario often until itâ€™s too late. Determining the Selling Price Selling your business to a relative may seem like youâ€™re really being efficient. The search to find a buyer is not required, there is no business for sale listing and the general inconvenience of the entire business sales process is avoided. However, the painâ€ to find a business buyer also usually results in the market determining the â€˜trueâ€™ value of the business from two unrelated or unaffiliated parties dealing at an armâ€™s-length. **End Summary** Topics: business broker]]> Selling a Business]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Business Brokers Selling a Business in Ontario, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.

Buying a Small Business That Doesn't Have Proper Financial Information

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:29:52 -0400

Buyers of very small businesses are often attracted by the relatively small size of the investment, the potential simplicity of the operation and also the entrepreneurial tenacity involved. There are many businesses that operate as â€˜one person showâ€™ where it is essentially the owner, perhaps a small leased premises and some tools, equipment, vehicle and a customer list. There are countless businesses such as this in the marketplace. These ventures are attractive to people that are looking to â€˜buy a jobâ€™. A common issue with such ventures is that the financial information that is available to the buyer is not always in top order. Sometimes, the owner operates with little more than a shoebox full of receipts, purchase orders and other documentationâ€. As a business buyer, you must be careful about protecting yourself so you know what youâ€™re getting yourself into. Consulting with an accountant to advise you is still highly recommended. That being said, what if you are still interested in the small business and the financial information is not in the form of accountant-prepared financial statements? There are a few things you and your accountant can think about to verify the revenue and earnings. **End Summary** Topics: small business sales]]> reputable business broker]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ontario Business Brokers Buying a Small Business for sale in Toronto, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.

The Conditional Sale Period of a Business Sale

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:19:03 -0400

When a business is sold conditionally, many sellers breathe a sigh of relief that they have found a buyer for their business and that it is smooth sailing until closing day. This is usually not the case at all. When a business is sold, it usually enters into a conditional period where the deal can theoretically still fall apart. During this conditional period deals can take on a life of their own. This period is sometimes stressful but can also be managed to be as non-turbulent as possible. This article will examine some things that both buyers and sellers can do to make a business sale as pain free as possible during the conditional period. Keep a clear head A business for sale transaction is a process that is different than a property deal or other type of sale. A business sale can best be described as being a â€˜fluidâ€™ transaction. By this we mean there are multiple deal points to consider and numerous pierces of information to be confirmed and verified during due diligence. During due diligence, there is the potential for issues to come up that cause buyer and sellers to over-react. **End Summary** Topics: Selling a business]]> Conditional Sale Period]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Business Brokerage Selling a Business in Ontario, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.

Selling a Retail Business

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:10:16 -0400

Owning a retail business can be a great experience for an entrepreneur. Selling a retail business, however, can be tricky if not approached with the right strategy. This article will briefly look at some unique characteristics to think about if you would like to sell your retail business. Financial performance Like all other businesses for sale, it is important to demonstrate to a buyer the financial viability of a retail store for sale. Many stores operate as cash businesses and find that they cannot find a buyer when the time comes to sell. Having well documented records and a trend that shows increasing success year over year is a major step to successfully sell a store. The lease A buyer will be incredibly interested in the lease terms of the retail outlet you would like to sell. Some things that buyers find important are: - the length of the term of the lease (longer is better), - option(s) to renew the lease, - lease rate, - what is included in the lease (TMI, etc) - general provisions governing the relationship between lessee and lessor How seasonal is the business? **End Summary** Topics: buy a business]]> Selling a Retail]]> business broker]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ontario Business Brokers Selling a Retail Business can be tricky. Businesses for sale in Toronto, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.

Business Brokerage and Buyer Representation

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:40:19 -0400

People who are looking to buy a business often contact business brokers to help them conduct a search for a business. Although business searches are routinely conducted for larger scale transactions (mergers & acquisitions level deals that are several million dollars in value), they are not routinely conducted for smaller business sale transactions. This article will examine some reasons as to why main street business brokers in Canada typically donâ€™t conduct searches, some tips to help you find a good business for sale and some ideas assist you increase your chances of buying a viable small business that fits your needs. Why business brokers (typically) donâ€™t do buyer representation A business brokerage professional will in many cases decline offers from prospective buyers to assist them in their search to find a business to buy. From the perspective of a business intermediary, there are so many business buyersâ€ in the market relative to sellers that it simply would not be efficient to focus on the buy side representation. The vast, vast majority of the hopeful business buyers that contact a business brokerage will, in fact, never buy a business. **End Summary** Topics: business for sale listings]]> Business Brokerage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Business Brokers Understanding business brokerage and buyer representation! Selling a Business in Ontario, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.

Selling a Business with No Assets

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:16:56 -0400

Oftentimes, business brokers are approached by business owners who are thinking of selling a business that has little or no tangible assets. Because there are minimal physical assets associated with the business, owners may think that the value of the business is very little. This is a common misconception in the marketplace that the value of a business is somehow equal to the market value of its tangible assets. The reality is that the most critical piece of a businessâ€™s valuation is its ability to produce future earnings. This article will quickly examine some of the factors of business value for a company that is profitable but has very little hard â€˜assetsâ€™. Selling such a company is very possible but it would be in your best interests as a business owner to work with a business broker who is knowledgeable about business valuation principles and can properly articulate the company value to prospective buyers. How to Justify Value when Selling a Business There is an old saying in finance that cash is king.â€ This is especially true in business valuation and when selling a business. **End Summary** Topics: business for sale]]> business broker]]> sell a business]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Business Brokerage How to sell a business with no assets? Selling a Business in Ontario, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.

Small Business Ideas

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:57:18 -0400

Sometimes having an urge or ambition simply isnâ€™t enough. Sometimes, the most important element of entrepreneurialism can be the small business ideas that fuel the passion and drive that are so critical to success. This article will not explore the process of buying or selling a business. Instead, the focus shall be on the truly nascent, granular level the ideaâ€. Starting a business or buying a business often requires some soul searching to find out truly what it is you are looking for but it also requires a business idea. This â€˜a-haâ€™ moment where a budding entrepreneur finally discovers exactly what they are looking for is an often underestimated part of the process. Small business ideas where to look for inspiration The Internet There are many web sites focused on the sole topic of small business ideas. A simple search of that phrase will yield thousands of relevant small business ideas - websites to help you. What are your hobbies? Perhaps you are an art enthusiast. If so, would a gallery or similar business be of interest to you? If you are an avid golfer, perhaps a golf retail business or something similar might make sense? You get the idea. **End Summary** Topics: right business to buy]]> Small Business Ideas]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ontario Business Brokers Where to get the best small business ideas ? Buying a Small Business for sale in Toronto, Hamilton and surrounding areas in southern Ontario, Canada. We are a full service business brokerage here to help you buy or sell a business.