The Business Lifecycle has these parts: Start Up Operation and Improvement Wealth Management Exit Business Purchase or Start Up Whether starting a new (or buying an existing business) the following should be considered to ensure you make an educated decision on your going into the business, including: 1. Pro’s and Con’s of the industry 2. Business Planning […]

If you are unsure about what you should consider in a share sale transaction, continue reading and feel free to send me an InMail for some more advice. 1. Continuity – In a share, be carried on by the same entity with the shareholders of that company changing. In some instances, customers and suppliers may not […]

Why Does It Take So Long to Sell a Business? “THE LAG EFFECT” I first heard the phrase ‘the lag effect’ from a colleague that I work closely with (Ian Haggerty). I will get to what it means soon, but for now, I would just like to mention how I feel the market is going […]

You can only sell your business once. You don’t get a second chance, and you can’t go back and do it again. Vendor’s ask: “How much will my business sell for?” You want to get the best possible price that the market will pay. But before we look at how to get the best price, you […]

When someone decides to sell their business, they are making one of the most important decisions they will ever make, – usually after having done a lot of planning, worrying and thinking. Selling can be a very unsettling and disturbing process for the owner, as they don’t want to upset staff, suppliers or clients who […]

There are many versions and definitions of profit. Business buyers need to be aware of the subtle differences in terminology used to describe profit, so that they can understand the impact and implications of these differences. Some of the different methods used in reporting profit are: Owner Operator. The pre-tax return earned by a working owner – […]

What is the effect on retail businesses moving to owned brands? One of the first questions I get asked by acquirers of Food Supply businesses is what % of the business is into Retail? The effect of the movement by retail from Branded to Owned Labels has seen a shift in valuation increase towards businesses […]

Did you know that electricity has gone up approximately 15%, year on year for the past 5 years, and there seems to be no end in sight? We could sit around and wait for the government to do something (highly unlikely) or we can do something for ourselves. Electricity is a necessity in our everyday […]

Business Tips – Selling Your Cafe or Restaurant Websites are populated with food businesses these days, that owners want to sell for a myriad of reasons.  Some of them are being sold at a price that barely covers the fit out cost or replacement value of the plant and equipment. If you plan for the […]

Costs – We Cannot Operate Without Them, But We Can Manage Them! This is the first of a series of blogs where we will look at some of the major costs associated in operating a business and how you might be better able to understand these costs and if there is anything you can do […]

HOW LONG TO SELL MY BUSINESS? This question is a Sellers burning question and is commonly asked. The question is right up there with my top three… How long will it take to sell my business? Why are they selling? How long has the business been trading? all good buyer questions. I’m going to talk about […]

Supermarket Sales Australia is the division of Benchmark Business Sales specialising in the sale of Supermarkets and Convenience Stores across Australia. Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations was founded in 1999. Today, Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations is one of Australia’s largest and most progressive specialist business brokerages, with offices in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. […]

NO AGENT-NO FEE VERSUS “YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR” Time and time again I see (or hear) of business owners that are trying to sell their business – to save on fees. A business is not like a house or car sale, there is so much more to understand, not just about the business […]

Kiss …. And Just Do It !!!!   Our business plan for 2017 is… “Kiss… and just do it!” Ours is a simple problem-solving business matching owners wanting to sell their business and buyers who want sound investments. And keeping it simple (Stupid) is our plan for 2017. What Business Sellers should be aware of: 70% of […]

Calm before the Storm in Business Sales in Adelaide Business sellers should “brace themselves for a traditional flurry of activity, immediately following the Xmas break” says Brian Sander, Manager of Benchmark Business Brokers Adelaide Office. Drawing on his 30+ years of experience, Brian says that if you are thinking of selling a business in Adelaide, there […]

Some owners of small businesses are tempted to minimise taxation by not putting all income into the bank, or “through the books”. Many years ago this was thought to be a clever way to run a business, and enjoy a little “spending money” – and reduce tax. Not now. Today, it is simply more efficient, […]

This blog will explain some of the process and the pitfalls buyers need to know in how to buy a business. The buying process… So you are looking to purchase your very first business? we understand its a big decision both emotionally and financially – where do we start?, good question. Identify the type of business […]

Checking your finances Buying a business is a significant investment, so you need to sort out your finances early and be well prepared and professional when applying for a bank loan or approaching potential investors. This will give them confidence to back your business and convince the seller you are serious. When checking your finances, consider: […]

IGA AUSTRALIA Owning an IGA store means that you belong to Australia’s leading independent grocery brand. Independent retailing is an exciting and dynamic industry to work in. IGA retailers, in particular, have developed a unique style and enthusiasm for their businesses. The IGA brand has been accepted and embraced in the marketplace, and continues to evolve […]

Ready to buy a Business? Buying a Business is one of the most significant financial & lifestyle decisions you’ll make in your lifetime. From figuring out pricing to why you should choose a certain type of Business, there are many factors to consider before you purchase a business. Out of all the questions we have […]

There are a large number of brokerage firms and hundreds of business brokers nationwide. You need to know what to look for before engaging a business broker to represent you and deliver a win-win outcome for all. Just as a buyer would conduct due diligence before purchasing a business, you should consider doing something similar […]

I enjoyed a coffee last week with a couple who have owned and operated a small suburban Coffee Shop & fast foods outlet for the last 8 years. They are now ready to move on, and already have their next venture underway. The Coffee shop has been good to them. They have purchased three investment […]

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH YOUR CLIENTS There are few things that get entrepreneurs as excited as when they get to interact with their customers. Rather than hiding behind a series of automated greetings, small business owners thrive on dealing one-on-one with their best clients – or making the decision to get rid of those customers […]

PROMOTION YOU CAN GET THINGS DONE – FASTER It takes years to climb the corporate ladder, and often the wrong person is promoted ahead of you. Or brighter and smarter young colleagues come along and get ahead of you on the corporate ladder, after you have spent years waiting patiently, and doing the ‘hard yards’. When […]

YOU CAN CHALLENGE YOURSELF. Some people thrive on the routine of their job – performing the same tasks day after day. As an entrepreneur, you can bet that each day will be filled with new opportunities to challenge yourself, be creative and learn something new. YOU CAN FOLLOW YOUR PASSION. Many entrepreneurs say the long […]

CONTROL YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR OWN DESTINY. Many business owners like to take control and make decisions. Owning a business saves you from being able to be sacked, retrenched, re-trained or replaced. Your future is in your hands, and you control the outcome. When you’re in the “driver’s seat”, you are making the decisions on […]

Want to find the perfect business for you? Sorry it does not exist. No matter how hard you look, or where you search, you will not find the perfect business for you. Whatever you look at, and whatever business you consider there will always be something that is not “just right”. Remove any thoughts of […]

THE INTERESTING STUFF DO SOMETHING THAT YOU LIKE Acquiring a business (or starting from scratch) is your opportunity to create a ‘new start’ for yourself. It’s an opportunity to start over again in many ways. So don’t get into a business that you won’t like. This is your chance to do something that you’ll like […]

Nearly every business will demonstrate at least one of five “negative attributes. Being aware of these negatives can assist you to prepare for the purchase of a business. What are the Five Negative Attributes? They are: 1. Need To Hold Stock 2. Debtors 3. Managing Staff 4. Long Trading Hours 5. Key person, product or client. Most businesses possess at […]

Of all the ways in which we can become financially independent and successful, owning a business is the only real means to acquire significant wealth. More effective than property, shares, gambling, or working as an employee – owning a business is the most rewarding, most satisfying and immediate means to creating wealth. The decision to […]

Over many years we have found that most buyers are local. In fact, about 70% of buyers are locals. Only 30% come other sources – Many from interstate. We have found that genuine interstate and overseas buyers will have the local papers sent to them, and that they will look at local websites, so advertising […]

There are many cases where I’ve heard buyers say they are sick of dealing with business brokers. “Why?” I’ve asked. Buyer response: “well, they just don’t get back to me”, “they won’t send me all the information I’ve requested”, or “they want all these documents filled out and I just want to know where the business is and what […]

It is almost impossible to find the right buyer for your business if you don’t widely promote and advertise to find suitable buyers. The wider the net you cast, the more potential buyers you will have look at your business. More buyers = more demand, and more demand = more value for you. You simply […]

It doesn’t matter what industry you work in, there always seems to be that inside language, “the lingo” which is usually spoken in acronyms. I’m often asked (mainly by first time buyers or sellers) to clarify acronyms within our Business Broking industry, which in recent times has prompted me to be mindful not to use […]

You need to plan for the day you wish to sell your business from the day that you either establish your business or purchase it. Getting your business ready for sale early can have a large positive effect on the final price that you can achieve; it can also have an effect on the time […]

Back in the day, on the current site of one of Brisbane’s best cafes, the area at the intersection of Old Cleveland Road and Ashton Street at Camp Hill was a swamp.  It was constantly kept wet from run-off from the road where the east bound side was higher than the west.  The gully was […]

With a new year fast approaching, it’s time to think about the future and the direction you want to take for your business. For many people, the New Year will be the time to decide to sell up or retire, and finally reap the value of the hard work you’ve put into your business.There is […]

Goodwill is a key component of the purchase price in a business acquisition, representing the value of intangible assets such as the reputation and brand of the business. These intangible assets cannot be easily quantified, but they can have a significant impact on the value of a business. Understanding the different types of goodwill is […]

PRESS RELEASE Bruce Coudrey, Owner of Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations, is excited to have signed an exclusive 2-year Agreement to have Bradley Charles Stubbs, “The Coach Whisperer” mentor him and work alongside his Team Nationally. “Having met Bradley, when we booked him to speak at our National Conference, I could see that the impact […]

As you approach your 50s, retirement starts to become less of a dream and much more of a reality. When you run your own business, this could signal the time when you start thinking about winding down and taking a step back, so you can enjoy the fruits of your labours. With most Australians seeking […]

Selling a business on your terms has its rewards and subtle benefits. Many times, I’ve heard “why would we want to sell, were making good money” or… “we may look at doing something in 5 years” or… “we haven’t really thought about selling yet or even an exit strategy”. Things never stay the same and people’s circumstances can change – quickly! […]

Valuing a company is a crucial component of any business strategy. It assists business owners and professionals in making educated decisions. In this article, we will examine the various forms of business valuation, the methodologies employed in valuation, the elements that influence valuation, the significance of professional valuation, and the function of valuation for both […]

Selling a business can be a complex and challenging process, and when that business carries stock, the stakes are even higher. From understanding different sale options to navigating legal and financial considerations, sellers must be well-prepared to ensure a smooth and successful transaction. In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, it is essential for business […]

Your business is in one of three possible states. It is either: GROWING STAGNATING or it is DYING YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHOOSE WHICH STATE YOUR BUSINESS IS IN… AND WHERE IT GOES FROM HERE A business owner has the ability to decide which of these states it sits in, and where the business […]

In every business there are always things that require spending or reinvestment.  This can be capital expenditure, revenue expenditure, discretionary spending, etc. Whether or not to invest (or reinvest) in the business is a common problem for business owners to contemplate when selling. How much to spend or invest on the business?  Too much expense […]

Preparation is vital when selling a business, and there are many little things to consider as being a necessary part of preparation. The time to start preparing your business for sale is the day that you start the business. Some things to prepare are: 1. Provision of full financial accounts for three years + balance sheets […]

There are three basic things being offered when a business is sold: 1. Tangible Assets – such as plant & equipment, stock, fixtures, etc. 2. Intangible Assets – goodwill, intellectual Property 3. Future maintainable earnings – or a degree of certainty. The “maintainability” of those future earnings needs to be assured and proven to a business buyer and their financier. One […]

Some owners of small businesses are tempted to minimise taxation by not putting all income into the bank, or through the books. Many years ago this was thought to be a clever way to run a business, and enjoy a little spending money and reduce tax. Not now. Today, it is simply more efficient, and […]

When? Most business owners find it hard to believe that they should start thinking about the sale of their business from the first day of acquiring the business – but they should. Even experienced business owners get swept up with the daily operation of their business, and other distractions of everyday living – and forget that […]

“I never advertise, and we’re always busy”. A proud and common catch cry I hear from marine industry owners when discussing their business. Unfortunately, when the owner wants to retire or exit the company, this reputation results in a much lower market value of their business. Hi, My name is Mick Godwin and I sell businesses; I […]