Buying a Business Articles For Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners

Meet Customers and Suppliers Before Buying a Business

The success of a business depends not only on a business owner’s efforts but also on reliable suppliers/vendors and satisfied customers. It is prudent therefore for you, the buyer, to talk to the seller’s key customers and suppliers before committing to buy a business. It is usually when the purchase of the business is about [...]

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How to Value Inventory when Buying a Business

Buying a business can be a complicated process.  There are many areas that may cause the failure of purchase negotiations or cause animosity between the seller and buyer.  One such area is the valuation of the business.  Determining the worth of a business is a crucial and critical aspect of the buying process.  If you [...]

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Top 10 Franchise Opportunities for 2012

Every year-end, a publication or media organization, a group or individual comes up with a “best or worst” list for the year that is about to end.  In the business world, two such annual ratings or rankings include The Top 10 Franchises by Franchise 500 and the 100 AllBusiness AllStar Franchises for 2012 by AllBusiness.com.  [...]

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Tips to Making Your Own Decisions When Buying a Business

Buying a business is a life changing undertaking.  You will be spending years of your life tied to the business – learning the ropes, refining its operations, improving the service or products, and operating it.  You have to do a lot of research, due diligence and soul searching before arriving at a decision to buy.  [...]

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Business Worth – How Do You Calculate Goodwill?

Business sellers and buyers have different approaches to the valuation of goodwill.  The seller will likely inflate goodwill due mainly to his or her emotional attachment to the business whereas the buyer is likely to deflate its value.  Goodwill, being an intangible asset, is not easily identified or measured. It is what attracts customers to [...]

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Avoid This Big Mistake When Buying a Business

There are many tips for business buyers on buying a business. Most business publications have articles that serve as guides so a buyer avoids making costly mistakes. These articles dwell on the various stages or phases when buying a business – making the correct valuation of the business for sale, knowing why the business is [...]

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Are You a Serious Business Buyer?

Individuals who want to buy a business contact business brokers and sellers.  How will the latter know who among these are serious buyers?  Who are the “time wasters”?  If you meet the following list of criteria, you are a serious business buyer. · You know what you want.  As a serious buyer, you know the type [...]

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What Happens After You Buy a Business?

There should be no surprises after you buy a business if you thoroughly studied and investigated the business.  What you should do now is to smoothly go through the transition phase as the new owner, and with the right decisions and actions, the business will thrive. After You Buy a Business … 1.  Maintain the [...]

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7 Negotiating Tips When Buying or Selling a Business

A person buying or selling a business needs the temperament and correct negotiation skills to successfully close the deal.  It used to be that people think you are a good negotiator if you push for what you want and you get it.  This mentality is passé.  Today, deals are made by parties willing to find [...]

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10 Things Business Sellers Won’t Tell You

“Have you ever dreamed of owning your business and be your own boss?” the ad said. “Report to no one and make thousands of dollars in the process? Sign up now for our exclusive business opportunity. Success guaranteed.” There’s a hidden trend in the past 10 years or so. A trend unnoticed by the general [...]

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Getting the Best Terms When Buying a Business

You have dreamed of owning a business.  Now that you have found the right one for you, negotiate to buy the business.  You do not want to end up with terms that can ruin your opportunity before you even take over the business.  Negotiations will evolve so you must have an open mind and a [...]

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8 Tips on How to Value a Business

Valuing a business is a challenging aspect when buying a business.  How can you arrive at the right price for a business for sale?  Will you, the buyer, just rely on the asking price of the seller?  In most cases, the seller wants a price higher than the real price of the business because the [...]

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How to Investigate a Business for Sale

Before deciding to buy a business, do your homework.  Your investigation must begin after drawing up a shortlist of potential businesses to buy.  Use the Internet and social media to learn about each business prospect.  Pose the following questions to people involved in the same business:   Why is the owner selling the business?  What is [...]

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10 Things Business Sellers Won’t Tell You

“Have you ever dreamed of owning your business and be your own boss?” the ad said. “Report to no one and make thousands of dollars in the process? Sign up now for our exclusive business opportunity. Success guaranteed.” There’s a hidden trend in the past 10 years or so. A trend unnoticed by the general [...]

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The Importance of Due Diligence When Buying a Business

Buying a business requires that you, the buyer, make an informed decision before closing the deal.  Researching about the business starts the moment you are thinking about buying a business.  Start making inquiries from your friends and entrepreneurs in the same industry.  You should read trade and industry publications, and search the Internet.  If you [...]

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Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Business Today

With today’s rising unemployment, there is a corresponding rise in the number of prospective buyers looking for businesses for sale.  Most people dream of owning their own business, being the boss, setting the rules, controlling their lives, and earning for themselves.  Starting a business can be difficult.  You have to spend a lot of time [...]

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Should You Sign a NDA when Buying a Business?

There are some steps in the business for sale process that benefit both the seller and you, the buyer.  These steps protect the seller from “time-wasting” buyers, and the buyer from acquiring lemons.  One of the most important questions when buying a business is “Can I see your financial statements?”  Numbers provide vital information to [...]

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How Do You Choose the Right Business to Buy?

There are so many types of businesses for sale. But how do you know what is the right business for you? You, your friends and family have some idea about the type of business that is right for you. Consider the pros and cons. If you make the right choice, you can have fun, fulfillment, [...]

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How to Make Offers to Buy a Business

You had decided to buy a business instead of starting a new one.  You chose the industry after studying the market trends and emerging opportunities for its growth.  Fortunately, it is an industry that matches your skills and one that you are familiar with.  You have looked at businesses for sale and narrowed your choice [...]

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What is a Business for Sale Purchase Agreement?

Bringing a business for sale transaction to fruition is a trying, lengthy learning venture.  You, the buyer, have to try your best to negotiate with the seller in a civil and honest atmosphere.  Pleasantness, reasonableness and fairness are needed for the process to proceed smoothly.  Once you decide to buy a business, you have to [...]

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