Small businesses often operate as if their sole purpose is to fund the owner’s lifestyle, but the most valuable companies are run with financial rigor. You may be years from wanting to sell your business, but starting to formalize the operations now will help you build the future value of your business. Then, when it comes time to approach the market and put your business up for sale, you’ll fetch more for what you’ve built. Learn how to get top dollar when selling your business.

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“Not every business will sell and a significant number never make it to market because professional, ethical advisors won't take on an engagement with little-to-no chance of success. The Q1 2019 Market Pulse Survey reveals that, on average, advisors decline about 70% of the business opportunities that come their way because the business is considered "non-saleable." 

There are any number of reasons we might decline to take a business to market,” said Lisa Riley, principal of LINK Business-Phoenix. “Unrealistic expectations, meaning sellers place too high a value on their business, is typically the number one deal killer. Declining sales trends, dated business practices, over-reliance on the owner, and significant customer concentration issues can all impact your ability to sell.” 

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Selling your business will likely be one of the biggest decisions of your business life.

No doubt you have a good idea of what your business is worth. But there are many factors to consider when putting your company on the market. Is now the best time to sell? Should I look for a cash deal or should I consider certain terms? What about confidentiality?

Working with a professional business intermediary will provide the expertise to help you make those decisions. Consider teaming with a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI), a professional who fully understands what it takes to successfully sell a business. A CBI can bring significant value to the complex process and help you complete a sale that will include the best possible value and some peace of mind.

A Certified Business Intermediary, or CBI, is the designation awarded by the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) to members that have met certain educational requirements and ethical standards. IBBA is the largest international, non-profit association operating exclusively for the benefit of people and firms engaged in the various aspects of business brokerage and mergers and acquisitions.

A CBI is an experienced, proven professional whose claim of competence is supported and documented. With the skills necessary to handle the marketing, negotiations and complex details involved, a CBI can successfully complete the purchase or sale of your business.

To earn the CBI designation, an IBBA intermediary must meet the following requirements:

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Did you know that Texas and many other States require you to have a license to be a locksmith, but has zero requirements to call yourself a business broker? Shocking isn’t it! In the face of no State regulation, how does a business owner know if the person who offers to help sell their business knows what they are doing? Following are ten compelling and measurable reasons to use a credentialed, certified Business Broker in the sale of your business.

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Recent studies indicate that retirement continues to lead as the number one reason for selling a company. Because a business often represents up to 70% percent of the owner’s overall wealth, it is critical that they take a proactive approach when preparing for their exit. Owners who succeed in harvesting years of hard work will not only financially benefit them on a personal level, but they will have more wealth to pass on to their families.

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Perhaps you’re planning to retire, or perhaps you’ve decided to pursue a different type of business venture. You realize this is the perfect time to sell your business, and you want to ensure you’ll receive a profit that reflects the time and dedication you’ve put into your business. A strategic and perfectly executed business exit plan is of paramount importance, and it’s the cornerstone of intelligent and responsible entrepreneurship. 

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Optimism in the M&A market is at an all-time high according to findings from the Q2 2018 Market Pulse Report published by the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), M&A Source and the Pepperdine Private Capital Market Project. 21% of business advisors surveyed say 2018 is the best year they’ve ever seen for business owners to sell their businesses. Another 37% say it’s the best time in five years, and 17% say it’s the best in the last 10 years.

Consistent with general market optimism advisors believe seller advantage is growing, with year-over- year seller-market sentiment increases in all market sectors. In the Main Street market, for businesses valued at less than $500,000, seller market sentiment is at the highest it’s been since the survey started in 2013.

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It is human nature for business owners who are putting their companies up for sale would want to go to market with a higher price than what the valuation suggested, hoping buyers will still look at the opportunity.

Unfortunately, though, the right buyers are savvy, knowledgeable, and serious about their acquisition targets. These buyers know the marketplace and won't even look at a company if they think the price is out of line with economic realities.

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High demand and low supply continue to make this a favorable seller’s market as reported in the Q3 2018 Market Pulse Survey Report. 

Buyers are active and competing against each other for quality deals, meaning sellers have choices when selecting their preferred buyer. This kind of leverage contributes to strong valuations and advantageous deal structures with more cash at close.  

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When you sell your business, it's common practice to provide training for the new owner.  But what does new owner training involve? What are your responsibilities? And how long will you will be "on the hook" after the deal has closed?

The whole idea of training the new owner may seem alien to the Seller.  After all, why would someone purchase a business they aren't capable of operating?  But in reality, people with relevant backgrounds, can and do, with limited training and experience regularly purchase small businesses. They probably have experience in either the industry or business management aspects, but maybe not both. Seller training gives them a crash course in their area of weakness and prepares them for the real world challenges of running the company on their own.

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