BizSale Small Business Blog. Small businesses for sale.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of the typical finance providers. This guide will help you to decide which options will suit you best when preparing to buy a business.
There are three types of finance for business buyers to choose from: loans, share capital and grants.

What follows is a summary of the core types of finance providers that business buyers use.

Banks - appropriate for small business buyers who… Continue reading

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In the uncertainty of today’s global economic climate, small and medium-sized companies may be concerned about the implications for their business. With some careful planning, a greater focus on cash flow, and more efficient communication with the bank, any business can avoid the possible negative effects of the credit crunch.

The following points from ACCA, and Robert Moore at Bizsale.co.uk, offers advise for small and medium business owners to conduct… Continue reading

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Seeking the right company to purchase is a very competitive process. Often, money is the most critical weapon a business buyer has to differentiate themselves from all the other business buyers, who have found the same business that is on the market.

When you find a business that ticks all the right boxes but initially exceeds your budget, you will have to be creative and resourceful before you can commit… Continue reading

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Following on from last week, here are the last stages to buying a business, based in part on James Halloran’s book “The McGraw-Hill 36-Hour Course on Entrepreneurship”.

6. Once you are satisfied with your assessment of the business, you will need to go through financial and legal particulars with the following people:

• An accountant to interpret financial information you have gathered from the business owner/seller.

• The mortgage holder or landlord in… Continue reading

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In this two-part blog, the first part to be posted today and the next the following week, are ten steps to assist you when buying a business, from James Halloran’s book “The McGraw-Hill 36-Hour Course on Entrepreneurship”. Here are the first five tips:

1. The business that you are interested in buying must align with your personal and financial objectives. Before looking for a business to buy, create a… Continue reading

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Here are some pointers of questions to ask the seller when looking into buying a particular business.

• The first and most crucial question to ask is why is the seller selling? The immediate response (watch the body language) to such a direct question will be quite revealing.
• Has the seller offered to give you a handover period after the sale to help with the transition, and have you discussed payment… Continue reading

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The media is full of scare stories about the impending Credit Crunch and the impact that it is likely to have on small business. NFEA (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies) is taking action on this issue with the launch of a dedicated Credit Crunch Week - to prepare current and future small business owners for any consequences this economic climate is likely to have on their business… Continue reading

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According to the Institute of Employment Studies (IES), people who spend their career working with a small company are more likely to feel appreciated than those who work for a larger business.

Working with only a few other staff will probably lead to closer, more mutually supportive relationships.

Working in a smaller company means that the work that any individual does is felt with more immediate effect, than if they… Continue reading

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Earlier on this year Chris posted on the blog heralding capital gains tax concessions for small business owners, due to begin in the new tax year. As April swiftly approaches, here are some details on the initiatives’ benefits to small business owners.

As well as providing tax relief, Alistair Darling has also promised to improve access to finance for small businesses.

The Small Firms Loan Guarantee is due to be increased… Continue reading

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A buyer is likely to offer more for your business if they are confident that the business is well set up and likely to be easy to take over. Do you have a well-defined strategy in your business plan?

The buyer wants to see a strong management team in place. If the running of the business is too dependent on you, the owner, this could seriously affect its chances of selling… Continue reading

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