Simple Tips for Being a More Efficient Business Owner
As a business owner, one of your ongoing priorities should be finding ways to save money. Ultimately, this will boost your bottom line and make your business more attractive to buyers. Let’s take a look at some strategies to run a more efficient and cost-effective business.
1. Consolidate Services for Better Deals
There are many clever ways to save money, and some are easier than others. One simple strategy is to consolidate your service providers. By choosing one provider to handle a specific service and sending all of your business their way, you may be able to negotiate reduced fees or discounts. Additionally, asking for a discount or an added perk from your most loyal service providers is often well-received.
2. Reduce Energy Consumption
Energy costs are rising steadily, and depending on where you live, the time of year, and the nature of your business, energy expenses can make up a significant portion of your operating costs. By running machinery or equipment during off-peak hours or investing in low-cost insulation, you could see significant savings. It literally pays to be proactive and look for ways to reduce your energy consumption.
3. Shop Around for Financing
It always pays to shop around, especially when it comes to financing. If you need to take on additional debt, take the time to compare financing rates and terms from multiple lenders. Meet with at least two banks or financial institutions before making a final decision on a new loan. This effort can help you secure the best possible deal for your business.
4. Go Directly to the Source
Another way to save money is to go directly to the source for what your business needs. Whether it’s equipment, supplies, or services, eliminating the middleman can lead to substantial savings. You may also discover more options and greater flexibility when dealing directly with suppliers or manufacturers, which could improve both your operations and your ability to serve customers.
5. Understand Deductible Expenses
It’s important to remember that deductible expenses aren’t a form of “free money” — they’re still costs. The only benefit is that your specific tax rate allows you to reduce the amount of taxable income. Don’t fall into the trap of seeking too many deductible expenses without evaluating whether they are truly necessary. Before making a purchase, consider how much additional revenue you need to generate to justify the cost.
6. Offer Early Payment Discounts
A little creativity can go a long way in saving money. If you offer early-payment discounts to customers, you’re essentially “borrowing” from them rather than a bank. Unlike a bank, which charges interest, your customers are essentially providing you with interest-free financing. Early-payment discounts are one of your business’s best financial tools!
7. Regularly Review Your Business Expenses
Perhaps the most important step any business can take to save money is to periodically pause and assess how money is being allocated. Running a business can be hectic, and it’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day operations. However, failing to review your spending and identify missed opportunities can hurt your bottom line. Make time to regularly evaluate where your money is going, and find ways to optimize your business’s financial efficiency.
Copyright: Business Brokerage Press, Inc.
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How to Know You’re Charging Enough
Most business owners fret about whether they are asking too much or not enough for their goods or services. This dilemma keeps many prospective sellers up at night. Ask too much, and you may fail to attract enough customers; ask too little, and you’re cutting yourself short. In this article, we’ll examine how to determine if you are charging the right amount for your goods and services.
Many business owners begin working with an M&A advisor or business broker only to learn that a small increase in their pricing can lead to substantial increases in profit. Best of all, with the right pricing strategy, it is possible to raise your prices without your customers noticing. The fact is, you may be leaving a significant amount of money on the table right now. Having a coherent and well-thought-out pricing strategy is the first step to boosting your profits, and it can be done in surprisingly little time.
In Rafi Mohammed’s book “The Art of Pricing,” he observes that a key fallacy in business is that a product’s price should always be based on its manufacturing cost. Mohammed offers several interesting observations and suggestions. One suggestion, specifically aimed at restaurants, is that they should keep their entrée prices attractive and expect their profits to come from items like drinks, desserts, or other add-ons. He notes that McDonald’s profit margin on hamburgers is small, but they have a considerable profit margin on French fries and drinks. In short, profits and pricing should be viewed as part of a larger overarching strategy.
Another example can be found in the world of investment banks, which charge a relatively modest accomplishment fee as a percentage of total consideration. However, they then insert a substantial minimum fee.
Better pricing and better pricing strategies lead to more profits. Through better pricing, Mohammed argues that companies can increase their profits and achieve growth. He notes, “Smart pricing is like hidden profits.”
The more time you, as a business owner, invest in your pricing strategy, the greater the chances are that you’ll boost the value of your business. The facts are that small pricing increases can significantly enhance overall profits. Don’t be afraid to adopt a new pricing strategy. If your new pricing strategy fails, you can adjust your plan. The benefits of exploring new pricing options are simply too great to ignore.
Copyright: Business Brokerage Press, Inc.
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Navigating the Decision to Sell Your Business
For many business owners, deciding to sell their company is one of the most significant financial decisions they will ever face. This choice not only alters their financial situation but also impacts their lives as a whole. Life after selling a business can be vastly different, so it’s essential for owners to consider what their future might look like post-sale.
Sellers must carefully contemplate both the financial and personal implications of selling long before they put their business on the market. Too often, owners dive deep into the sales process only to realize, painfully, that they are not truly ready to sell. For many, their business is completely intertwined with their identity and sense of self.
There are circumstances where selling becomes a necessity—such as health issues, partnership conflicts, or marital problems. In these situations, selling may be the most viable option, despite the emotional toll it may take. That’s one reason why so many experts advise business owners to prepare for the sale of their business well in advance. That way if some sort of unexpected situation were to occur, they would have a degree of protection.
Another common reason for considering a sale is the desire to retire or feelings of burnout. However, these emotions can often be temporary, leading some sellers to contemplate a decision they might regret later. It’s crucial for sellers to ask themselves important questions: “Am I really ready to sell?” “Why do I want to sell now?” and “What will I do after I’ve sold the business?” The answers to these questions have significant financial and personal implications for the owner, their employees, and their family.
Before attempting to answer these vital questions, business owners should discuss the idea of selling with their families and professional advisors. There are several ways to explore readiness for selling. Reading relevant literature and consulting with a business broker or M&A advisor can be particularly helpful. An experienced brokerage professional can greatly assist owners in evaluating whether they are truly prepared to sell, and if they are not ready yet, they can at least gain insight on the sales process for the future.
Copyright: Business Brokerage Press, Inc.
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Great Ways for Business Owners to Save Money
Business owners are constantly seeking ways to cut costs and boost profits to make their businesses as attractive as possible to buyers. Fortunately, there are many surprisingly simple strategies to save money across various aspects of your business.
1. Embrace Digital Solutions
One effective way to save money is by going digital. Just as you should evaluate which tasks can be outsourced or handled in-house, consider which operations can be performed digitally. For example, if you don’t experience a high call volume, replacing a receptionist with a voicemail system could be a practical solution.
Why not experiment with digital tools to identify those that can streamline your operations and reduce costs? However, be cautious of potential price hikes; over time, the costs associated with digital tools may exceed your initial expectations. It’s important to periodically audit and reevaluate the tools you regularly use.
2. Consider Outsourcing Wisely
Outsourcing can be another powerful way to save money, but it requires careful consideration. While it has gained popularity in recent years, outsourcing can also lead to unexpected challenges. As a business owner, it’s essential to evaluate each role you consider outsourcing to determine if it’s a strategic fit. Remember, outsourcing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution; it should simplify your operations and reduce costs. But if it causes complications, it might not be worth it.
3. Keep Key Tasks In-House
While outsourcing can be beneficial, not every task needs to be delegated. Sometimes, keeping certain functions in-house makes more sense. No one understands your business better than you do, so take the time to assess which tasks should remain internal. This thoughtful approach can reveal significant cost-saving opportunities year-round. Also, when you go to sell your business, prospective buyers will want to know you have valuable key employees who plan to stay on and support the new ownership.
4. Leverage Free Resources
Never underestimate the value of free resources. Seek out free educational lectures, SBA seminars, and other opportunities to gain insights that can help you save money. Local banks often offer free or low-cost programs to help clients enhance their business skills, which can reduce your reliance on expensive consultants.
5. Shop Around for Better Deals
Always be prepared to shop around. Whether you’re purchasing goods or services, there’s likely a better deal available. Don’t hesitate to contact your suppliers or contractors and negotiate for better terms. While you may not always secure a lower price, it’s worth asking.
By maintaining a proactive approach and not taking anything for granted, you can uncover ways to reduce your business’s operating costs. It may require patience and effort, but the savings can accumulate significantly. Ultimately, these kinds of changes will boost your bottom line and make your business more attractive to buyers.
Copyright: Business Brokerage Press, Inc.
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Don’t Settle for Less Than a Highly Accurate EBITDA
If you, as the seller, want to receive the best price for your business, it’s essential to understand that your adjusted or normalized EBITDA will serve as the foundation for the purchase price. This EBITDA will be used as a multiple to negotiate the final price. Every dollar counts; for example, if your EBITDA is off by $50,000 and the multiple is three, the final acquisition cost of your business is reduced by a significant $150,000. In short, these multiples matter, underscoring the critical importance of reaching an accurate EBITDA for your business.
Let’s explore a couple of common EBITDA adjustments that sellers should be aware of. One adjustment may come from a one-time event, such as an insurance settlement, legal expenses, or PPP loan forgiveness. Unusual expenses associated with the growth of the business can affect the adjusted EBITDA. Another factor is the conversion based on GAAP accounting, which can vary widely.
Balance sheets are crucial when it comes time to outline the financial health of a business. It is common for smaller businesses to focus solely on profit, often neglecting to review their balance sheets as frequently. Balance sheets should be presented clearly, allowing potential buyers to understand the true assets and liabilities involved in the sale. It is best to be upfront with this information to prevent any surprises during due diligence.
At the end of the day, business owners should keep three important points in mind when preparing to sell their business. First, consider having a Quality of Earnings analysis performed. This will provide a clear understanding of your business’s health. Second, ensure that your key managers and employees are prepared and capable of running the business during the transition period. Third, take all necessary steps to review your financials, and be ready for GAAP reporting requirements during due diligence.
Importantly, sellers should not cut corners on any of these three points, as all are vital to the successful sale of your business. It’s important to note that selling a business is not a one-dimensional process; it encompasses many different aspects. Business brokers and M&A advisors are critical to the process, as they understand what it takes to defend an EBITDA. This helps to ensure that sellers receive the right price for their business.
Copyright: Business Brokerage Press, Inc.
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