A business broker in the state of Tennessee is not required to have any kind of license or training. Anybody can print a business card and call themselves a business broker. Crazy? Yes, it’s crazy. To appreciate just how crazy this is, realize that you can’t be a barber without special training and a license. You can’t operate a nail sale without a state license (which includes training). There’s a 12-week training Read More
Selling a Family Business ….. Problems are Right Around the Corner
When Bob (not his real name) called me, I could tell he was tired. He wanted to sell his family business, but he didn’t know how to find the right buyer and make sure he got a fair value for his life’s work. Bob started his business in 1981 and built it into a thriving niche manufacturer of plumbing components. But at age 74, Bob was ready to sell his business and spend more time with his ailing wife. The business Read More
Think Outside the K-Cup, Three Business Principles I Learned While Comparing Starbucks Via with Starbucks K-Cups
I discovered Starbucks in 1994 when a group of Disney executives held a meeting at the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort in western Canada. One morning our Canadian hosts took us to a charming coffee shop in the village and one guy ordered this thing called a “latte.” I had no idea what that was, I assumed it was a special local favorite. I ordered coffee, black, large. Whoa, one sip and my boring Maxwell House life was Read More
5 Essential Elements of an Effective Exit Plan
Exit plan creation should be a key part of your business plan, no matter whether you’re serving your first customer / client or swiftly approaching retirement. Knowing what you plan to do when you hand the company reins over to someone else allows you to align present business decisions and operational objectives with your long term personal and financial goals. To ensure a successful exit and ultimately safeguard Read More
