ALERT

Download the M&A Fee Guide 2018 to get full survey results from over 480 investment bankers and M&A advisors.

Pre Sale

Let's face it. At some point in time all entrepreneurs will exit their business whether by choice or circumstance. Most company owners only think about the sale process when it's time to sell. That's too late. Learn everything you need to know about selling your business when you're not thinking about selling your business.  

Surprises to Watch Out for When Selling a Business Surprises to Watch Out for When Selling a Business Surprises to Watch Out for When Selling a Business Surprises to Watch Out for When Selling a Business


Even if you’re smart enough to plan for every eventuality, selling your business is going to be full of surprises. Things crop up at the...

3 Simple Ways to Start an Exit Plan in 2019 3 Simple Ways to Start an Exit Plan in 2019 3 Simple Ways to Start an Exit Plan in 2019 3 Simple Ways to Start an Exit Plan in 2019


You've heard the crazy statistics...90% of business owners don't have any exit plan. Well here are three simple areas to start thinking...

private equity, strategic buyer private equity, strategic buyer private equity, strategic buyer private equity, strategic buyer


Private equity and strategic buyers come with their own set of financial and ownership objectives. This will undoubtedly have a critical...

5 Things Running Taught Me About Building a Valuable Business 5 Things Running Taught Me About Building a Valuable Business 5 Things Running Taught Me About Building a Valuable Business 5 Things Running Taught Me About Building a Valuable Business


Think running and business have nothing in common? Think again. Here are five things I learned from running that can help you build a more...

5 Criteria to Consider Before Choosing the Right Investment Banker 5 Criteria to Consider Before Choosing the Right Investment Banker 5 Criteria to Consider Before Choosing the Right Investment Banker 5 Criteria to Consider Before Choosing the Right Investment Banker


There are five key factors that should influence your decision when you're considering an investment bank for your business. Finding the...

Exits Are Inevitable; Failure Is Not Exits Are Inevitable; Failure Is Not Exits Are Inevitable; Failure Is Not Exits Are Inevitable; Failure Is Not


Don't let yourself get so caught up in your business that you forget the critical step of exit planning. You've developed a successful...

To Sell Your Business, Start With the End in Mind To Sell Your Business, Start With the End in Mind To Sell Your Business, Start With the End in Mind To Sell Your Business, Start With the End in Mind


Charles Smith outlines why it matters to visualize the end result of the sales process before you enter into it. By knowing what your exit...

management buyout, MBO, succession planning, business continuity management buyout, MBO, succession planning, business continuity management buyout, MBO, succession planning, business continuity management buyout, MBO, succession planning, business continuity


Executing a management buyout requires a willing seller and a prepared management team. Find out the key factors that are required to...

Does It Have to Be 'Shirtsleeves-to-Shirtsleeves?' Does It Have to Be 'Shirtsleeves-to-Shirtsleeves?' Does It Have to Be 'Shirtsleeves-to-Shirtsleeves?' Does It Have to Be 'Shirtsleeves-to-Shirtsleeves?'


If you head up a family enterprise, you are likely all too aware of the statistics for the business surviving to the next generation. You...

family business, succession plan, business transfer family business, succession plan, business transfer family business, succession plan, business transfer family business, succession plan, business transfer


Transferring ownership of a business is difficult. Transferring it to a family member makes it even more complicated. Here are eight things...

Like Rodney Dangerfield, Earnouts Just Don't Get Any Respect Like Rodney Dangerfield, Earnouts Just Don't Get Any Respect Like Rodney Dangerfield, Earnouts Just Don't Get Any Respect Like Rodney Dangerfield, Earnouts Just Don't Get Any Respect


No one seems to like earnouts. Why? Are they evil traps invented by buyers ... or are they just misunderstood? Let's take a look behind the...

valuation, due diligence, due diligence grind valuation, due diligence, due diligence grind valuation, due diligence, due diligence grind valuation, due diligence, due diligence grind


There are a multitude of ways buyers can reduce the purchase price of a business. One of the cleverest is by using the due diligence grind...

Understanding Return on Equity for Privately Owned Businesses Understanding Return on Equity for Privately Owned Businesses Understanding Return on Equity for Privately Owned Businesses Understanding Return on Equity for Privately Owned Businesses


Complete with examples, see how return on equity is calculated and how you can make it work for your business. You should understand the...

Position Your Business for the Exit Position Your Business for the Exit Position Your Business for the Exit Position Your Business for the Exit


You've built an incredibly valuable business. Now you need to make sure your buyer sees it, too. Finding the right fit, and how to do it,...

Trust Advisory Committees for Succession Planning Trust Advisory Committees for Succession Planning Trust Advisory Committees for Succession Planning Trust Advisory Committees for Succession Planning


Family trusts are often an elusive and misunderstood relationship between advisors, settlor, trustees and beneficiaries. Learn why this is...

startup, sale process, maximize value startup, sale process, maximize value startup, sale process, maximize value startup, sale process, maximize value


Making your startup dream come true is hard work. Make sure to capitalize on it when you get to the negotiation table by implementing Alex...

Podcast: Have Business Partners? Understand Buy-Sell Agreements Podcast: Have Business Partners? Understand Buy-Sell Agreements Podcast: Have Business Partners? Understand Buy-Sell Agreements Podcast: Have Business Partners? Understand Buy-Sell Agreements


Learn about buy-sell agreements and why they are an integral part of exit planning.

ESOP, Employee Share Ownership Plan ESOP, Employee Share Ownership Plan ESOP, Employee Share Ownership Plan ESOP, Employee Share Ownership Plan


If you're looking into an ESOP as your exit plan, you need to think about the potential risks and drawbacks of executing one. While it may...

succession planning, exit planning succession planning, exit planning succession planning, exit planning succession planning, exit planning


Assemble a group of professionals with education, experience and skills who will help you achieve your goals and prepare you and your...