Thursday, December 30, 2010

Buying a business in a buyer’s market

The mergers and acquisitions sector is largely a buyer's market right http://www.bizilla.com/blog/2010/12/buying-a-business-in-a-buyers-market/now – a trend that has allowed for acquiring enterprises to essentially take their pick from a host of expansion opportunities, new customer bases and access to new products and services that go along with buying a business.

But as the economy slowly begins to improve and small businesses begin to see greater revenues, the market is expected to balance out. Until then, acquirers should take advantage of current conditions.

One of the first tasks a company needs to tackle after deciding to buy an enterprise is to assemble an acquisition team, consisting of lawyers, business brokers, accountants and general advisers.

"The team should decide if an investment banker will find and evaluate targets or if deal flow will be generated internally through screening, networking and industry contacts," writes Carolyn M. Brown for Inc. magazine. "An investment banker will have access to valuable resources and provide invaluable counsel on valuation and negotiation."

As for prospects that are not for sale, the team may have an advantage in the lack of competition for the company in question. While it may be more difficult to achieve these transactions, the sale could certainly benefit from the personal contact that would be involved.

http://www.bizilla.com/blog/2010/12/buying-a-business-in-a-buyers-market/

Kay Grubich | Find a Commercial Real Estate Agent | Bizilla

Kay Grubich | Find a Commercial Real Estate Agent | Bizilla

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Selling a business with employees in mind

Hector Vazquez-Bizilla.com
Building a business from the ground up is a rewarding experience, especially when it comes time to sell the company. But whether one plans to sell the company to a larger firm or exit by means of an initial public offering, there are certain considerations business owners should make before moving forward.

First, the employees – those workers who toiled away, ideally without complaint, building the company in the fashion the owner saw fit. While it is ultimately the decision of the managers, and likely the acquiring body, as to what to do with the staff, it is important to keep their efforts in mind.

"Until you sign on the dotted line, remember, it's still your company and they're still your employees," writes Inc. magazine. "And you might end up keeping the whole shebang should negotiations not work out in the end, so you need to consider your workers' point of view."

While selling a business may evoke fear and uncertainty in some workers, it can also be viewed as a new endeavor. Perhaps they will be offered a position in the new company, or maybe they will be given a substantial bonus or share of the buyout earnings. These decisions are for the owners to make.

 http://www.bizilla.com/blog/2010/12/selling-a-business-with-employees-in-mind/

Selling a business with employees in mind

Hector Vazquez-Bizilla.com
Building a business from the ground up is a rewarding experience, especially when it comes time to sell the company. But whether one plans to sell the company to a larger firm or exit by means of an initial public offering, there are certain considerations business owners should make before moving forward.

First, the employees – those workers who toiled away, ideally without complaint, building the company in the fashion the owner saw fit. While it is ultimately the decision of the managers, and likely the acquiring body, as to what to do with the staff, it is important to keep their efforts in mind.

"Until you sign on the dotted line, remember, it's still your company and they're still your employees," writes Inc. magazine. "And you might end up keeping the whole shebang should negotiations not work out in the end, so you need to consider your workers' point of view."

While selling a business may evoke fear and uncertainty in some workers, it can also be viewed as a new endeavor. Perhaps they will be offered a position in the new company, or maybe they will be given a substantial bonus or share of the buyout earnings. These decisions are for the owners to make.

http://www.bizilla.com/blog/2010/12/selling-a-business-with-employees-in-mind/

Selling a business with employees in mind | Recent News/Blog

Selling a business with employees in mind | Recent News/Blog

Selling a business is about timing | Recent News/Blog

Selling a business is about timing | Recent News/Blog

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Considering a business broker and other acquisition tips for small businesses

December 15th, 2010 When an individual or various business entity is considering buying another company, it is important to remain level-headed, fair and respectful. That being said, everyone involved is still trying to get the best deal possible from the transaction, and good deals do not always line up when competing interests are at stake.
In order to maintain civility and a level of interest across all parties, it may be helpful to hire a business broker to manage the negotiations. Although a broker is not a necessary investment, some sort of acquisition “team” is advisable so that the primary proprietor can receive input from various perspectives.
“Most brokers are hired by sellers to find buyers and help negotiate deals,” writes Entrepreneur magazine. “If you hire a broker, he or she will charge you a commission – typically 5 to 10 percent of the purchase price. The assistance brokers can offer, especially for first-time buyers, is often worth the cost.”
“However, if you are really trying to save money, consider hiring a broker only when you are near the final negotiating phase,” the magazine continues. “Brokers can offer assistance in several ways.”
Whatever the chosen strategy for acquiring a business, be sure to consider the interests of the buyer, the seller and even the broker. Sometimes, simply placing oneself in an other’s shoes can help participants see a potential deal for what it really is.http://www.bizilla.com/blog/

Considering a business broker and other acquisition tips for small businesses | Recent News/Blog

Considering a business broker and other acquisition tips for small businesses | Recent News/Blog

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Considerations to keep in mind when buying a franchise

According to a recent report by the Census Bureau, one out of every 10 businesses in the U.S. is a franchise. In 2007, the sector accounted for $7.7 trillion in total sales, while also paying $153.7 billion in salaries.It is not difficult to argue that franchises comprise a huge segment of the retail economy. But to many investors, entrepreneurs and potential franchisees, the prospect of buying a franchise can seem overwhelming.
Luckily, because they rely on prospective investors, franchises do not hesitate to provide interested operators with relevant location information, sales data and other scouting resources.

However, says Wayne Humphrey, vice president of franchising for Noodles & Company, "At the end of the day, the franchisee is responsible for selecting his or her own site," he told Inc. magazine. "And we have a very stringent approval process. They have to make a presentation to us with data on not just the demographics, but also the real estate picture - construction costs and co-tenants - and really sell it to us."
Franchisees also need to find the right staff to grow their business. Ultimately, a franchise endeavor is a risk and, if it is not properly managed, it can hurt a business owner's chances of ever finding a similar opportunity again.

http://www.bizilla.com/blog/2010/12/considerations-to-keep-in-mind-when-buying-a-franchise/

Friday, December 10, 2010

Businesses for Sale in Washington | Bizilla

Businesses for Sale in Washington | Bizilla

Bizilla is now offering Commercial Real Estate Agent accounts for business listings with real estate included.

Our Commercial Real Estate Agent package offers great features to get you listings the exposure you need to start connecting with interested business buyers and entrepreneurs today.Manage Multiple Listings – List multiple properties without additional cost.
Instant Visibility – Your listings are available to buyers as soon as you submit it.
Flexibility – Upgrade or downgrade your listing whenever you want (even daily).
No Strings – No hidden costs, fees or strings attached.

Real Estate Agent Friendly
– Resources and services developed for the industry. Post More Listings!!
UNLIMITED listings. Post as much as you want

More Listing Photos

Upload to 10 photos per listing

Priority in Bizilla’s Search Results

As a real estate agent, you get higher Placement in the search results for better visibility.

Upgrade Your Listing Anytime

You may upgrade your listing at any time for even more exposure. Select a showcase or feature package and watch your results placement improve.

Inclusion in Our Real Estate Agent Directory

You can create a profile and upload a photo to be listed in our exclusive Real Estate Agent Directory. You can designate multiple states that you do business in.

Listing Appear Instantly

Unlike other business for sale Websites, your listing will be available to buyers as soon as you activate it. There are no waiting or review periods.

Performance Statistics

See how your listing performs in real time plus monthly performance reports

Export Listing Data

You can export your listing data to a CSV file in one simple step.

Dedicated Account Manager

You get unlimited support with a dedicated account manager to answer questions, assist with your listings, and make recommendations.http://www.bizilla.com/for-real-estate-agents

Small business investors and the five C’s of good credit

Investing in a small business is not a simple decision. Buying a business is an even tougher one. But regardless of the investor's intentions or goals for the company, they need to maintain good credit in order to continue to finance their investments.

John Seelinger, a volunteer at SCORE, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners, reminds investors that there are five key points to maintaining good credit.

"The five C's are very important," he told Inc. magazine. "You can't afford to be sloppy or haphazard with them. The underwriting process may be different, but the fundamental five C's are always there."

The first is "capacity," which refers to a business' or investor's ability to repay a lending debt.

"Character" reminds borrowers that banks and other investors want to be sure they are lending to reputable and trustworthy individuals.

"Capital" refers to the level of investment an owner has made in his or her business, as a lack of personal investment will likely discourage banks and creditors from offering their own funding.

"Collateral" may be the most important consideration as lenders are far more likely to offer credit to businesses and investors that have offered some line of insurance in the case of bankruptcy or negative ROI.

The final, "conditions," refers to a lender's desire to know how their credit will be spent and to what it will be invested.      http://www.bizilla.com/blog/2010/12/small-business-investors-and-the-five-cs-of-good-credit/

Breakfast with the GABPA | Recent News/Blog

Breakfast with the GABPA | Recent News/Blog

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Auto Repair - Paint and Body Shop in Texas | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Auto Repair - Paint and Body Shop in Texas | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Homebuilder and Developer in Texas | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Homebuilder and Developer in Texas | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Truck Accessory Manufacturing Company in Texas | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Truck Accessory Manufacturing Company in Texas | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Auto Repair, Lube & State Inspection in Texas | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Auto Repair, Lube & State Inspection in Texas | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Licensed Home Health Agency in Texas | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Licensed Home Health Agency in Texas | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Mary Jane Dailey, BCB, M&AMI,CBI,BCB,SBA, LREB | Find a Broker | Bizilla

Mary Jane Dailey, BCB, M&AMI,CBI,BCB,SBA, LREB | Find a Broker | Bizilla

New York Business Brokerage is uniquely qualified to sell your business. | Recent News/Blog

New York Business Brokerage is uniquely qualified to sell your business. | Recent News/Blog

New York Business Brokerage | Find a Broker | Bizilla

New York Business Brokerage | Find a Broker | Bizilla

Murphy Business | Find a Broker | Bizilla

Murphy Business | Find a Broker | Bizilla

Event Planning Business in Florida | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Event Planning Business in Florida | Business For Sale | Bizilla

TransWorld | Find a Broker | Bizilla

TransWorld | Find a Broker | Bizilla

Scott Shulman | Find a Professional | Bizilla

Scott Shulman | Find a Professional | Bizilla

Steven Josovitz | Find a Broker | Bizilla

Steven Josovitz | Find a Broker | Bizilla

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

BBQRib Restaurant with Real Estate in California | Business For Sale | Bizilla

BBQRib Restaurant with Real Estate in California | Business For Sale | Bizilla

BBQRib Restaurant with Real Estate in California | Business For Sale | Bizilla

BBQRib Restaurant with Real Estate in California | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Well established 9046 sq.ft. motel in Florida | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Well established 9046 sq.ft. motel in Florida | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Turning a bad economy into a selling advantage | Recent News/Blog

Turning a bad economy into a selling advantage | Recent News/Blog

Contractor Cabinets in Florida | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Contractor Cabinets in Florida | Business For Sale | Bizilla

How Much Is Your Business Really Costing You?

Too many times, solopreneurs create businesses that cost more money than the business is actually producing. Then, to add insult to injury, they let their pride, or misplaced optimism, or something like it, to continue to fuel the business even though it is not as profitable at all.
  • You may love the idea that you have, but is it a business?
  • You may love the business you have built, but is it profitable?
  • After all, the sustenance of a business is the profit it makes… isn't it?
The questions are simple ones: 

#1 : Is your business profitable. Yes or No
#2 : Do you bring in more money than your business is spending to stay afloat? Yes or No
#3 : Can you show a legitimate profit at the end of the month after you pay yourself? Yes or No

If you answered NO to any of these questions above, read on…

Let's dig deeper… because there were decisions that were made long before the business was
unprofitable that created the state that it is in.

There are three primary questions that make up profit.

#1 : What is the cost and margin of your product?
#2 : What is your cost to market and promote your product successfully to sale?
#3 : What is the volume that you have to have for your product to produce the revenue that you desire?

Question #1 is all about positioning and the elastic nature of pricing.
If you notice, the packaging of your product is what influences what people are willing to pay for it.
Do you have credentials? How much media do you have? How many books have you published (print or digital)? What else is in the package?
What are you offering ultimately to the buyer – the bottom line end result your buyer is looking for? It is scarce, valuable and meaningful to the buyer?

Question #2 is all about the marketing channel that you choose.
PPC has a real daily cost. SEO has a real daily cost. Direct mail has a direct cost. PR has a cost.
Social media has a time cost. Remember that your time is valuable. Every minute you spend on social media has an associated opportunity cost.
The channels that you choose have a lot to do with the cost of sale that you will incur.
Whereas public speaking, free PR and media pickup have a cost but they have leverage-able value
if you know the sequence for leveraging non-advertising channels.

Question #3 is all about the effectiveness of your campaign and promotion to produce sales NOT Leads
In your promotions, set a clear goal and outcome in terms of sales not leads. Too many times we as business owners focus on leads and not sales. Leads are potential sales. Not sales. So focus on the sales and the actions that produce sales.
The channels that are working for everyone else may not work for you. You may have to experiment with many
channels until you find the one that works for your budget, resources and volume requirement.
Getting profitable is a matter of getting clear on the primary 3 questions and knowing all of your options.

If you have a business that is not as profitable as you desire it to be or you are looking to make your business even more profitable than it is it might be a matter of really taking a step back and looking at your business and what you are doing, how it is working and what can really be changed for the better.
The question is what is your business as you are running it now costing you? or profiting you? You might be leaving money on the table that a few adjustments could rectify almost instantly.

If you'd like to spend some time with me to help you identify those profit thieves and what you can do about it, click here now to complete your business strategy survey.
The survey alone will give you insight into what is working and not working with your business. After I receive your completed survey, we will review it together to help you find the profit potential hidden in your business.

Now is the best time for you to get clarity around your business promotion and operations. I have worked with businesses in just about every sector and your business (although it is special and one of a kind) may be sitting on the same profit thieves that plague most businesses.
Remove those leaks and the business can and will become profitable.
Complete your survey now, your successful 2011 awaits.

Til next time,
David Bullock

Iconic Atlanta Nighclub in Georgia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Iconic Atlanta Nighclub in Georgia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Catering/Restaurant/Bar/Night Club in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Catering/Restaurant/Bar/Night Club in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Building Supply -Wholesale in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Building Supply -Wholesale in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Modern Pristine Country Market in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Modern Pristine Country Market in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Kosher Pizzeria Super Profitable in Pennsylvania | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Kosher Pizzeria Super Profitable in Pennsylvania | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Quality Restaurant in Suffolk in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Quality Restaurant in Suffolk in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Full Sevice Car Wash & Detail Center in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Full Sevice Car Wash & Detail Center in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Nice Daycare- Highly Profitable in Kentucky | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Nice Daycare- Highly Profitable in Kentucky | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Kentucky Metal Recycling Center in Kentucky | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Kentucky Metal Recycling Center in Kentucky | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Atlanta Restaurant for Lease - FREE to Qualified Tenant in Georgia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Atlanta Restaurant for Lease - FREE to Qualified Tenant in Georgia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Friday, December 3, 2010

Daytona Beach Property Management Firm w/ Real Estate in Florida | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Daytona Beach Property Management Firm w/ Real Estate in Florida | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Hair Salon/Day Spa in Florida | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Hair Salon/Day Spa in Florida | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Gas , C Store, Wash & Fast Food with Property in Virginia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Gas , C Store, Wash & Fast Food with Property in Virginia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Importer/Distributor of Specialty Foods in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Importer/Distributor of Specialty Foods in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Liquor Store-High Volume-NYC Location in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Liquor Store-High Volume-NYC Location in New York | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Tanning Salon in Arizona | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Tanning Salon in Arizona | Business For Sale | Bizilla

New Facial Spa - Profitable w/Excellent Trend - CO Front Range in Colorado | Business For Sale | Bizilla

New Facial Spa - Profitable w/Excellent Trend - CO Front Range in Colorado | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Proposed Comcast-NBCU merger faces new obstacle following restructuring proposal | Recent News/Blog

Proposed Comcast-NBCU merger faces new obstacle following restructuring proposal | Recent News/Blog

Brazilian Restaurant in Georgia Super Wal-Mart Center – Makes Money – Keep or Convert – Fully Equipped Kitchen! in Georgia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Brazilian Restaurant in Georgia Super Wal-Mart Center – Makes Money – Keep or Convert – Fully Equipped Kitchen! in Georgia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

PIZZA RESTAURANTS FOR SALE in Powhatan, Virginia in Virginia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

PIZZA RESTAURANTS FOR SALE in Powhatan, Virginia in Virginia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Equipment for complete factory in Puerto Rico | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Equipment for complete factory in Puerto Rico | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Atlanta Restaurant for Lease - FREE to Qualified Tenant in Georgia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Atlanta Restaurant for Lease - FREE to Qualified Tenant in Georgia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Vinings Sandwich Shop for Sale Great Location in Georgia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Vinings Sandwich Shop for Sale Great Location in Georgia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Dairy Queen in Mall for Sale! in Virginia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Dairy Queen in Mall for Sale! in Virginia | Business For Sale | Bizilla

Proposed Comcast-NBCU merger faces new obstacle following restructuring proposal | Recent News/Blog

Proposed Comcast-NBCU merger faces new obstacle following restructuring proposal | Recent News/Blog

New trust-based financial services and startups arise amid public distrust of large banks | Recent News/Blog

New trust-based financial services and startups arise amid public distrust of large banks | Recent News/Blog

EBay acquires consumer shopping resource Milo in move to broaden its local appeal | Recent News/Blog

EBay acquires consumer shopping resource Milo in move to broaden its local appeal | Recent News/Blog

Sales of California SMBs improve in November | Recent News/Blog

Sales of California SMBs improve in November | Recent News/Blog

How the broker fits in to a business acquisition | Recent News/Blog

How the broker fits in to a business acquisition | Recent News/Blog