Here are five most common slip ups while a buying business.
1. Growing fond of a business, excessively – This is perhaps the most common of all mistakes in buying a business. Say, your targeted business is in a good location, makes good money, has experienced staff and has a decent reputation in the market. You think you finally found the business you were looking for. Well, you might just be a victim of love at first sight. Buying a business needs crunching a lot of numbers such as payables, loans, competitive analysis, business reputation, and so on. It’s wise to keep emotions aside and be financially astute while evaluating business alternatives.
2. Fail to assess correct synergies – Often it is a better choice to buy a business rather than starting from ground up. Assessing synergies is at the crux if you plan to buy a new business to make your existing business more competitive and profitable. For those who need the biz word translation, synergy means two or more things working together can produce more results than working individually. You will need deep analysis of venders, supply chain, business operations and so on. Seeking professional’s advice will go a long way.
3. Not doing enough homework –Often entrepreneurs fail to understand why the business is on sale. You need to dig in deep to see through the real picture. Compare the target business with others in its industry and try to ascertain its competitive positioning, check out what customers and venders say about the business. Get a 360 degree assessment of every potential business on your buying radar.
4. Relying too much on financial documentation – Watch out window dressing of the balance sheet. Engage a business valuation expert if needed or else you risk making such a vital decision on marshy grounds. It is strongly suggested that you get the contract terms in writing. Should there be a dispute in the future, you have the solid documentations to fall back on.
5. Not using an intermediary for negotiation – Negotiating the deal can be extremely stressful. Every nuance needs to be worked to the hilt. The legal jargons, terms of purchase, modus operandi of management processes and so on involves lot of time and can be overwhelming. This is where expert business brokers come to your rescue. Choose your business broker wisely and get maximum value of you money.
Business brokers will show you options that closely match your requirements so you are less likely to be compromise by limited choices. They have experience and are business astute to get you the best synergy with the targeted business. With their business valuators, you pay a fair price for the business acquisition. They have the expertise in documentation and so not even the minutest detail is evaded from the contract.
The property business is on the rise and so are property scams. You need right people by your side to keep from fake sellers and loosing out your money on illegitimate deals. It is suggested to hire a third party to represent you in the deal. You will be surprised at the benefits of engaging professionally trained business brokers.