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 […]

DON’T MAKE THESE MISTAKES  Business Owners It takes time… Many business owners spend years building their business to only receive a fraction of what it is worth when it comes time to sell. Although there are many more, here are seven of the most common mistakes that could impact you significantly. Inadequate preparation Sellers who get the […]

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, […]

Did you know that Benchmark sells hundreds of businesses every year? As a result we have accumulated a lot of historical sales data on business transactions Australia wide. Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations has many specialty divisions including Supermarket Sales, Childcare Sales, Hospitality Sales, Hair and Beauty Sales any many more. Our Business Brokers have […]

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 […]

What constitutes a serious buyer? Whilst you maybe looking at purchasing your first business or investing in a business the question is always how serious are you about it. When buying a home you investigate the location, you compare houses in the street, you look at local facilities and most times you have been to […]

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 […]

Just like housing, why does one home in one suburb sell more than the same home in another suburb? There are number of reasons why stores that trade similarly sell at a higher price than the other. These can be location, age of store, type of centre, size of store, Gross Profit, competition, and also […]

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 […]

Many café and restaurant owners can lose sight of how to increase sales, they get too busy working in their business rather than working on it. The value of your café or restaurant is underpinned by your sales and net profit figures, so the higher you can get them, the more the business is worth. […]

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 […]

How much is a business worth? How much should you pay? The simple answer is that a business is worth what the market will pay for it. This is also the legal definition of value. But this definition doesn’t quantify the value of a business, or help determine what a business is worth.   Here […]

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 […]

When you decide to sell your business you are making one of the most important decisions you will ever make. This occurs after a lot of planning and thinking. Selling can be a very unsettling and disturbing process for the owner, as you don’t want to upset staff, suppliers, or clients who may leave, and […]

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 […]

HOW BUSINESS BROKERS ADD VALUE TO THE SALE PROCESS If business owner wants to maximize the price he or she receive then we strongly believe they should trust the process to an experienced specialist business broker and focus on what they do best – running the business. There are 5 good reasons to use a […]

In one of our recently published articles, Ways to Grow Your Business (click to read this article), we looked at the ‘Innovation Ambition Matrix’ which suggests 3 key areas where businesses should invest in order to look to the future and grow the business. In my view, a key activity which underpins the future relevance, viability and growth […]

There is no doubt that a good business will sell if it is: 1. Properly priced 2. Full financials are provided 3. Business information and data is properly documented 4. Properly advertised and effectively marketed. A qualified, experienced, business broker will provide the following services: 1.Appraisal of business value. 2.Assistance with planning for the sale of the business. 3.Production […]

Use these 17 tips prior to engaging a business broker and you could save time, money and the possible disruption to your business.   I constantly come across business sellers who have been given the complete “run around” by the “shonky business broker” who really has no intention (or clue on how) to sell a business and […]

After 27 years owning and operating Maleny Supa IGA, Rob and Samantha Outridge decided it was time to sell their business and retire. Maleny Supa IGA is the oldest commercial premises in the largest town in the Blackall Range, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Rob and Samantha had purchased the store in 1995 and transformed […]

If you consider your business to be both a labour of love and one of your most important assets, you are certainly not alone. In Australia, there are nearly 2.57 million businesses actively trading and fuelling the economy, and new entries are registered every day. But while the high entry rate suggests an influx of new ideas […]

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 […]

Evidence, Methodology & Transparency 3 Essential Elements to ensure a Business Will Sell – Evidence, Methodology & Transparency Evidence – Buyers are only interested in the evidence. Why? That is all that matters, the facts, what is transparent, and what is measured and what is declared. Many times I find a Seller is trying to sell their business […]

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 […]

Have you had a business “Health Check” done lately? OK, you’ve been running your business for a while now. …. and it’s going … well, the way it’s always gone.   Like many other business owners, you might be feeling that there must be a better way of doing things. There are glitches, annoyances and […]

In the past, many business owners subscribed to the notion that “Cash is King,” believing that keeping some income off the books could provide them with a little extra spending money while reducing their tax liabilities. However, times have changed, and the modern business environment demands transparency and accuracy in financial management. The outdated “Cash […]

PREDICTABLE TRENDS IN BUSINESS SALES How does buyer demand for businesses change over each year? Over the last 25 years Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations has measured trends in demand for small businesses. Demand rises and falls in a predictable way, and through mapping the monthly rates of buyer enquiry over the 20+ years we […]

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 […]

Many business owners are not sure of the issues and factors that cause CGT to be paid (or not paid), when a business is sold. The CGT legislation is structured so that the owner of a small business (who is well advised and uses an appropriate business structure) should never have to pay Capital Gains […]

Looking back over the last twenty years that I have been in business sales I have learned that there are many different types of business owners. I have “sorted” the types of owners into a “spectrum” of personality types. CONSERVATIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL At one end of the spectrum are the “Conservative” types. These people like to […]