Before you start talking Letters of Intent (LOIs) and counting your future earnings, you need a sniff test - a way to decide whether a business is even worth your initial interest.

One of the most common questions business owners ask when thinking about selling is…

What U.S. Data Tells Us About Canadian M&A Right Now.

In every business deal, there’s the part where the buyer and seller agree on a price. Then there’s the part where the buyer and seller try not to get burned. Today, let’s talk about tipping baskets…

If you’re new to the world of buying or selling a business, chances are you’ve heard the term LOI tossed around. But what exactly is a Letter of Intent, and why does it matter so much?

Let’s break it down…

I recently sat down with a friend who works in a family office, targeting acquisitions in the $50M–$300M range. They’re a big player in their space, and one thing he kept referencing was the importance of “barriers to entry” or a “moat” That term comes up a lot in MBA programs and corporate strategy circles - as a way of describing how a company can defend its market position from competitors.

There are business books that give you frameworks. And then there are business books that punch you in the face, wipe the blood with a balance sheet, and ask if you’re still in.

Introducing: “Industry Confidential”, the not-too-stuffy series where I unpack the economics behind specific industries with a little wit and a lot of numbers.

Selling your business? Don’t forget about the landlord…

What is it and why should you care?

Selling or buying a business? One topic that is sure to come up (hopefully sooner, rather than later), is the type of sale. Is your deal a share sale, or an asset sale?

Is now an ideal time to sell your business? Maybe not. Buyers are nervous. Financing is hard to find. And valuations are likely to experience downward pressure…

Succession planning is one of the most important things a business owner is required to do. No one wants to see the business that they have worked so hard on building over the years (or decades) bite the dust.

If you had stocks or mutual funds, you would likely receive a statement of your portfolio’s value once a month. If you are really loaded, once a week, and if you are stinkin’ rich (cash, not spiritually), well, your broker would be calling you every day…

This generation will pass on the greatest wealth ever seen to the next generation - unless they screw it up. The baby boomers are in the process, and will be in that process, for may years to come.

If you look at any industry statistics, you will see that many businesses never sell (sometimes as high as 80%). Unfortunately, some businesses aren’t sellable, especially if they have negative cash flow. However, in most cases, this is simply the result of very common and avoidable mistakes…

Why do I need a broker? I know my business better than anybody else!

Buying a business can be a daunting prospect.  You become responsible for your own successes and failures and ultimately the buck stops at you. There are no guarantees that you will succeed or be happy…

Doing more with less. That’s what small business is all about. Luckily, there are plenty of online tools that can significantly increase your productivity for reasonable, cash-flow friendly fees…

I was reading an article about getting a business loan, and it reminded me of my first time asking for financing. I remember meeting with my Account Manager…