Category Archives: Valuation

The 3 Pillars of Business Value

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by Kelly Deis of SoundPoint Consulting

Most business owners focus on increasing profit margins as the primary means of improving the value of their business. Profitability is absolutely important, but it is not the only factor to consider.

In fact, there are three components which can increase – or decrease, the value of a business: risk, profitability and growth.

Take for example a recent client. We determined the valuation of the business to be about $1 million.

We then illustrated that if they were able to incrementally decrease risk, improve profitability and accelerate growth, they would be able to realize as much as $300,000, or 30% of additional value.
  • Decrease risk (discount rate) 2 pts: +$80,000
  • Increase profitability 10%: +$100,000
  • Increase annual growth 2 pts per year: +$120,000

Now, will this client be able to realize the full $300,000 in incremental value? It really depends on the timeframe and level of effort that they want to put into improvements. It is a good idea to identify the range of opportunities and then prioritize activities.

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Options in selling your business: asset vs stock sale.

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by Kelly Deis of SoundPoint Consulting

So, you want to sell your business. For most of us, it is a once in a lifetime event. There is no reason to expect that you should know the intricacies of a transaction.

That is why it is oh so important to have good advisers help walk you through the process.

One of the fundamental decisions you will need to make is whether the transaction will be an asset or stock sale. It will depend upon your individual circumstances as well as your business structure.  Continue reading →

Do you think you might want to sell your business?

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The Value Gap

by Kelly Deis of SoundPoint Consulting

business for saleHave you ever heard of it? Well, if you are thinking of selling your business in the next few years, it is a term that you should get familiar with.

The value gap is the difference in price between what the seller thinks his/her business should sell for and what a buyer is willing to pay for it. Bluntly, it is unrealistic expectations on the part of the seller.

Sadly, it is one of the bigger reasons why deals go awry in the lower-to-mid market tier. And, it can be avoided.

Causes of the Gap

There are a variety of reasons why a seller may think that their business is worth more than what others are willing to pay for it.

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Selling your business? Timing is everything.

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by Kelly Deis of SoundPoint Consulting

Owners want to sell their businesses for for a variety of reasons – some want to retire and others are ready to move on to something else. Most owners ask – “is now a good time to sell?” Not surprisingly, the answer is, “it depends”.

Here are three factors to consider when timing the sale of your business. Of course, it is best when all three are optimally aligned, but that is not always possible.

The State of the Owner

The owner is critical to the success and ultimate value of a business. Typically, once the owner is beyond his or her prime, the business value will begin to falter.

It is best to sell when the owner is engaged, still excited about the business and perhaps wiling to stay on after the sale. Likewise, the more youthful and healthy the owner the less they will appear eager to sell.

You want to be the owner that wants to sell, not one that has to sell.  Continue reading →

How much is your business worth?

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It’s not all about the bottom line.

by Kelly Deis of SoundPoint Consulting

Most business owners focus on increasing profit margins as the only means of improving the value of their business. Profitability is absolutely important, but it is not the only factor to consider.

In fact, there are three components which can increase – or decrease, the value of a business: risk, profitability and growth.  Continue reading →

Thinking about buying or selling a business?

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Make sure you understand buy-sell agreements.

by Kelly Deis of SoundPoint Consulting

Buy-Sell Agreements are legal documents that govern how ownership will change hands in privately owned companies if and when something significant happens to one of the owners.

These agreements are intended to ensure the remaining owner(s) control the outcome during critical transitions, while making sure the transitioning owner (or their estate) are treated fairly and equitably.

Although owners may have the same interests while both are in the company and all is going well, these same owners may have wildly divergent desires and needs after a triggering event occurs.

It is not too hard to imagine a scenario where one wants operational stability while the other needs liquidity. For instance, if a partner dies, the remaining owner wants business as usual, while the deceased’s estate wants to cash-out.

The interesting thing about Buy-Sell Agreements is that you do not know which side of the transaction you will be on when the agreement is drafted. Because of this, it is in both party’s interest to make them as fair and equitable as possible.

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Ask SCORE: What do I need to know before buying a business?

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Rather than building a small business from the ground up, buying an existing company offers the opportunity to move along the path to entrepreneurship more quickly. With all of the startup tasks already taken care of, a staff in place, an established customer base, existing vendor relationships, and processes and procedures laid out, you have a head start.

But that doesn’t diminish the importance of doing your research before making the decision to buy. Acquiring an existing small business requires substantial examination so you can avoid the many pitfalls that befall eager entrepreneurs who leap before they look.  Continue reading →