Selling: Do You Need a Fairness Opinion?

Much has been written about “fairness opinions” due to the financial manipulations among companies such as Enron, Tyco and others.  The conflict in the use of fairness opinions  was (and is) that an investment banking firm not only handled the…

What Do the Following Companies Have in Common?

This is just a partial list: Church’s Chicken, Uno Chicago Grill, Charlie Brown’s, Domino’s Pizza, Burger King, Cinnabon, Sizzler.  The first response would be that they are all in the food business, and that’s correct.  Now name the second thing…

Does Your Company Have Pricing Power?

If Starbucks raised the price of a cappuccino, sales most likely would not be affected. If your attorney raised his or her hourly rate, would you switch law firms?  If a company or service firm does not have pricing power,…

What’s Your Business REALLY Worth?

A recent article in INC magazine titled”Street Smarts,” by Norm Brodsky (his column is worth the price of the magazine) addressed the subject of the title above.  However, in the very first paragraph of the article, Mr. Brodsky stated, “Unfortunately,…

Is Your Company Hiding an “Orphan”?

Does your business have an orphan product or service that is doing okay, but doesn’t seem to fit into your core business?  Many companies, private equity groups and even some individual buyers are seeking product lines to augment existing ones,…

When Is A Company In Trouble?

Companies can be in trouble or headed for it for many reasons.  However, most of them can be linked to one or more of the following: • Lack of proper focus • Poor management • Poor financial controls • Loss of key employee(s) • Loss…

How Does Your Company Rate?

Valuation of private companies is much more subjective than public companies because there is no free trading marketplace for the private companies’ stock.  Just like a champion Olympic figure skater, the performance has to be flawless.  Take a look at…

Mistakes Sellers Make

• They neglect to run their business during the sales process. – The owner of a business with sales under the $20 million range can get so involved in the selling process that they neglect the day-to-day operation of the business.…

Expediting Change Post-Closing

The deal is done and you have completed the closing.  Now what do you do?  You help the new owner because chances are that you have some vested interest in the new entity, and it is in your best interest…