A survey out at the start of December highlighted growing economic uncertainty amongst SMEs in the UK following the Autumn Budget.
It is a nervousness and caution, the survey found, that could put a halt to many growth ambitions and M&A in the months ahead. The focus of SMEs instead is likely to be on cashflow and financial robustness.
The research from small business lender iwoca, in its quarterly SME Expert Index, foun... Continue Reading
Whenever an acquisition deal is announced the only words we typically hear are from those at the top.
The Chief Executive is "thrilled and excited by the new deal and the opportunities it offers the company going forward," or "We would like to thank adviser a and adviser b for their professionalism and dedication."
Whenever employees are mentioned - unless, of course the business has become employee owned – it is more... Continue Reading
Ever since Donald Trump won the US Presidential Election earlier this week there has been a hefty barrage of column inches dedicated to the global impact of the 'decision of the American people'.
There has been a focus on what the return of Trump means for the Ukraine conflict, support for Israel in the Middle East, NATO, climate change legislation and the ‘special relationship’ between the US and a new UK government wh... Continue Reading
Any fan of the TV show ‘Dr Who’ will be well versed in the threat of Cyber. Well, cybermen – those less than fleet-footed, emotionless adversaries of the good Doctor – at least.
Those cybermen were bent on human destruction - very similar in fact to the cyber that businesses, organisations and ‘ordinary members of the public’ have become more accustomed to in recent years.
According to recent UK Government ... Continue Reading
A new study has found 85 per cent of bosses with HR responsibilities at British SMEs support staff having the “right to switch off”. The “right to switch off” empowers staff to disconnect from work outside of regular hours and over weekends.
The “right to switch off” was widely expected to be included in the new Labour government’s Employment Rights Bill. However, it was ultimately excluded, seemingly confirming repor... Continue Reading
As companies expand, it's common to focus on acquiring new assets to fuel further growth. However, a strategy that often goes overlooked is divestment—selling off parts of your business. While it might seem counterintuitive, strategic divestment can be as impactful as acquisitions when it comes to achieving long-term growth and stability.
At a time when many businesses are struggling to raise funds and may be considering stre... Continue Reading
Purchasing an existing business can be a strategic move that offers numerous advantages over starting one from scratch. With less risk, immediate access to revenue, and a foundation already in place, acquiring a pre-established company can provide a smoother path to success. One of the key factors that make this option particularly attractive is the opportunity to inherit a well-established brand. In today's digital age, where social media a... Continue Reading
Shifting your business operations to the cloud might initially seem overwhelming, particularly if you run a small enterprise. It’s easy to associate cloud technology with large corporations or tech giants, and to worry that it might complicate your existing workflows.
Yet, moving to the cloud can actually streamline your operations, enhance your competitiveness, and improve your data security. Below, we outline several key reasons... Continue Reading
In the current economy, small businesses can face a serious challenge in attracting the customers they need to grow and can often struggle to keep pace with the rapid change in customer requirements and expectations.
This can leave owners feeling that their business is in danger of becoming redundant and that radical change is required in order to reverse their trajectory. However, such a dramatic shift is usually not what is requi... Continue Reading
If you’re looking to buy a business and have the financial stability to invest in a long-term venture, now may be an opportune time. A growing number of companies across various sectors may be increasingly open to acquisition offers.
However, acquiring a business doesn't mean you need to target only those that are in severe distress or are actively targeting a sale. Many solid businesses that were thriving before are now stru... Continue Reading
When it comes to selling your business, one of the most critical steps is determining its valuation. This figure will guide your sale price and is essential to ensuring a successful transaction. Setting the correct valuation is crucial; undervaluing your business could result in a sale price that doesn't reflect its true worth, while overvaluing it might deter potential buyers, causing the sale to falter.
The importance of a... Continue Reading
When considering due diligence, the focus is often on the buyer's process in an M&A transaction. They thoroughly investigate the business they are about to invest in, ensuring there are no hidden pitfalls. However, due diligence is also important from the seller's perspective. This process not only facilitates a successful sale but also helps ensure the business continues to thrive post-transaction.
Here are key aspects to ... Continue Reading
As we’ve emphasised previously, business owners should have an exit strategy in place from the very start of their venture, whether they’ve started a new business or acquired an existing one.
A lack of preparation can be absolutely fatal to business owners’ hopes of a successful sale and can lead to a rushed process that ultimately results in a sale to the wrong buyer at the wrong price.
Having an exit plan in ... Continue Reading
Acquisitions are fundamentally the quickest, and perhaps most reliable, method for businesses to secure growth. Rather than organically building and diversifying, something that involves a huge amount of time and a significant learning curve, acquisitions enable businesses to rapidly expand into new areas and tap into existing expertise and resources.
The ability to make such deals could have a major impact on whether a business can... Continue Reading
Purchasing a company that has entered administration might appear to be an attractive opportunity due to the lowered price, active pursuit of a sale, and the retention of liabilities with the seller. However, there are several critical factors to evaluate before making such a decision.
In the current economic climate, cash-rich entrepreneurs may find this a unique opportunity to acquire companies in administration, benefiting from r... Continue Reading
For just £30 your business for sale will feature at the top of and in the sidebar on business for sale pages, making your business stand out from the crowd