What Goes Into the Confidential Memo?
One of the key materials used in the business sale process is the confidential memo or book, which is essential if an owner is considering a sale of the business. Even if you are considering a sale in the future,... Read More →
Why Can’t You Sell Your Business on eBay?
Wouldn’t it be a lot easier if we could buy and sell companies online? Owners could avoid a lot of trouble and fees as well as get deals done quicker. Imagine going to a 55-year high school anniversary and finally... Read More →
Exit Planning 101
As an owner, you’ve spent perhaps 20–30 years building your business, so it’s important to spend a little time to prepare it for sale. Proper exit planning is essential to get the most for the business, increase the amount of... Read More →
Delegate and You Shall Be Set Free
As a business owner, do you find yourself licking stamps, taking out the trash, and answering phones? When the business started, you probably had to wear 50 hats. Over time, the business grew, so more tasks were delegated to others,... Read More →
What’s Special About Your Business?
Before selling a business, it is important to understand why someone would want to buy it. The concept is similar to why customers buy your products or services, but a little different. A plain vanilla, me-too business or product is... Read More →
Why Sell to a Private Equity Group?
PCB/PCBA owners often think that a short list of strategic buyers (companies in the same industry) are the only ones who would be interested in acquiring their company. One category of buyers that is often overlooked is private equity groups... Read More →
Beware of Cultural Issues in M&A Deals
Company culture is hard to define and manage, but it is a critical factor in making an M&A deal successful. It is also often ignored or misunderstood during and after due diligence because culture is a “soft” science instead of... Read More →
Avoid Surprises During the M&A Process
No one likes surprises, especially in merger and acquisitions (M&A) deals; there are enough unknown variables to start with. As the deal progresses, tensions start to rise, so any additional variables can cause a disproportionate response. Below are some ways... Read More →
GP Ventures’ Tom Kastner on PCB Mergers and Acquisitions
It’s always interesting talking with Tom Kastner, president of GP Ventures, because he has his finger on the pulse of our industry’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) more than anyone. He knows which companies are selling, buying, or thinking about it.... Read More →
Keys to Avoid Key Person Risk
PCB West is next week in the San Francisco area, can you go to the show and maybe visit a winery or two without the shop falling apart? If not, you have key person risk. Have you not taken a... Read More →