You can generally categorize banks into: 1) 10% that are actually making small business loans now and are serious about doing so, 2) 70% who will talk to you directly and indicate they are not making small business loans at this time because of the economy, and 3) 20% that slap you on the back, invite you in, and readily take your application. It is the latter group that gives us the most heartburn. It is not unusual after the initial review of your application papers for a bank represented to signal you have a good chance. Overjoyed, you begin to make plans, including executing contracts and receiving quotes for inventory, raw materials, or merchandise. Two months later, after the fourth loan committee review, you get a call that they have decided not to make the loan. The reason has little if anything to do with credit. It is typically something that was never been mentioned before and after reflection, it seems like an excuse not to make the loan in the first place.

Loan brokers such as myself are victims of the same misleading behavior. I cannot tell you how many banks have looked me in the eye and said: “Sure, we are making lots of loans. For unsecured loans of $75,000 to $150,000, we just need a credit score above 680, in business for over a year and a half, and decent financials. Real estate security is not required. We would love to entertain your applications.” Right.

What they really do is pour over the applications and pick 1 out of 100 that has the following fantasy credentials: a platinum credit score that Bill Gates would be proud of and which could support a small country, gushing positive cash flow, little competition, executed contracts stacked high on your desk, then a booming market niche. In other words, someone who doesn’t need the loan in the first place. You know the old adage: banks only give money to people who don’t need it.

It is simply psychology 101. Banks are filled up with loan officers and they have to show they are busy. If their boss walks into their office and sees nothing on their desk, they might be laid off. They have to show they are busy earning their salaries, which means receiving applications and going through the review process. It’s gotten so bad that the other day we had a client whose grandfather helped found the bank, whose father was best friends with the president, and who had received two successful loans before. Even he was turned down. Nor do they tell you the large SBA commercial loan department job layoffs of employees throughout the nation.

To prevent being too caught in this trap, look your banker in the eye and ask these questions:

1) “Tell me honestly. I don’t want to waste your time or mine. I know the credit crunch is quite depressing and there is really no secondary market. Are you actually entertaining small business loans at this time or should I wait.”

2) “How many small business loans have you personally made in the last 30 days?”

3) “What are the loan terms of the last three loans you made, including interest rate and monthly payments, for the amount of loan I am seeking?”

4) “How long will it take before I get a definitive answer?”

5) “Can you briefly describe to me the process I have to go through to get the final approval? Will you be the one making the final decision? What other people superior to you or committees will make that decision?”

But do not despair. There actually are real live prime lenders out there making small business loans. They just need to know where to look. In the next article I will discuss if such loans are available to startups.

Off course you will need to have an attractive trade booth to make people come and buy your product. With hundreds trade booths on the floor, you need to make sure that your sales booth is highly visible. Camelback Displays could give you the best solution for your trade show booth. This is the one stop shopping for trade show exhibits and accessories. You can find all supplies you need to build an attractive yet highly visible trade show booth.

You can order custom truss frames for your custom exhibit as well as flooring and backdrops. You can also order table covers and graphic tents. All are made from high quality materials and best printing quality to accentuate your product brand image. For the promo campaign, you can also order custom table top display as well as large selections of standing banners, overhead displays, and many more. Don’t forget the useful accessories such as directors chairs, crowd controls, lightings, and many other trade show exhibit supplies you can find here at Camelback Displays.

PLAN A

Know yourself. Before approaching a bank or any other lender, be sure you know your own history in terms of personal credit. Is your credit history good or bad? Due to the current recession, you can be sure to see that banks have become more strict in reviewing records before making any decision for business loans. You can obtain your credit history from companies like TransUnion, Experian, or Equifax via fax, mail or online.  Also, be sure to check if the records are right. Companies with credit card services sometimes make errors in logging cancellations or adjustments to your credit limit. These misreported transactions in the past  may appear as available credit to the bank.

Prepare a competitive business presentation. A good presentation should initially be able to make the bank understand what you plan to do with the money and not simply WHY you need the money. Remain objective in your explanations and try not to attach too much personal reasons in your answer. The bank’s concern is not with you, but with the money they will give you. A cash flow projection will be of good help during your presentation because the bank can quickly assess the benefits and risks for them. However, a cash flow projection is different with a cash flow statement. The projection is an expectation on how money will come in and out, while a statement shows how money arrives and leaves the business. You can make a projection on a monthly basis over one year for a better outlook of your expectations for the business.

Prepare other documents. You may need to present other documents like a credit rating report. Though this is not an actual requirement, it will still be useful for the bank to know your loan payment history and other dealings with other credit card services. After all, most banks only approve businesses that are able to accept credit cards.

Get to know the bank. It is also important to do a little research on your lender’s point of view. Again, the first question in the bank’s mind is, “what are you going to do with our money?” The second question would be, “Why should we risk our money for your business?” Providing the bank with the right answer boosts your chances of getting that business loan by more than 50% of the time.

Bear important facts. You need to be honest to the bank on certain areas like, how much money are you willing to put in to the business, the collateral you currently have, and how much do you really know about the industry you’re planning to venture in. Enduring the bank that you’re not completely in the dark on your planned business will somehow put their minds at ease with regards to the loan they will be giving you.

PLAN B

If all else fails with the bank, do not despair. There are other means of acquiring small business loans for yourself. Many business cash advance companies are now available to serve you. Borrowing money from these companies are relatively easier than getting one from a bank. They will review your credit record but they are less strict in terms of seeing a few bad records on your history. With a business cash advance, you will be able to start your own small business, expand, pay off debt or taxes, and get emergency funding. However, make sure that the company you will be applying to is legitimate with negotiable terms with payment.

Good luck!

Before starting a company the Small Business Administration, SBA, recommends that potential entrepreneurs make a list of reasons for wanting to go into business. Some of the most common reasons for starting a business are: to be your own boss; financial independence; creative freedom; and to fully use your skills and knowledge. In addition, the SBA suggests entrepreneurs answer the following questions:

(1) What type of business am I interested in starting? (2) What services or products will I sell? (3) Where will I be located? (4) What skills and experience do I bring to the business? (5) What will be my legal structure? (6) What will I name my business? (7) What equipment or supplies will I need? (8) What insurance coverage will be needed? (9) What financing will I need? (10) What are my resources? (11) What will I compensate myself?

Select A Business Structure

The success or failure of a new company can depend on a variety of factors including, the manner in which a business is formed, managed and promoted. Although there are different opinions as to the process involved with starting a company, entrepreneur advisors agree that the first step to starting your own business is selecting the business structure that is best fitted for your intent and purposes.There are various ways an entrepreneur may conduct business, including sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability and corporation. Before selecting a business structure, the potential entrepreneur should consider the following: legal restrictions; liabilities assumed; type of business operation; earnings distribution; capital needs; number of employees; tax advantages or disadvantages; and length of business operation.

The following is a list of advantages and disadvantages of different business entities:

Advantages

Sole Proprietorship (1) You are the boss. (2) Easy to form and to dissolve. (3) You retain all profits.

Partnership (1) Simple to organize but should get partnership agreement. (2) Business will benefit if partners have complementary management skills. (3) Ability to expanded capitalization increased from sole proprietorship.

Corporation (1) Limited personal liability for debts and judgments. (2) Can raise income through sale of stock therefore, maximum capitalization. (3) Lower cost per unit of doing business. (4) Can deduct the cost of benefits. (5) Can elect to be S corporation (to be taxed similar to a partnership) if you meet requirements.

Disadvantages

Sole Proprietorship (1) Very hard work. (2) Unlimited financial and legal liability. (3) Management deficiencies. (4) Limited working capital continuity of operation. (5) Potential lack of continuity of operation.

Partnership (1) Unlimited financial responsibility partners are jointly and individually liable for actions of their partners. (2) Potential conflicts of authority. (3) Potential personality conflicts.

Corporation (1) Expensive, complicated to form. (2) More legal compliance requirements from federal and state agencies. (3) Double taxation – dividend paid to shareholders aren’t deductible. (4) May be considered Impersonal by customers.

Choose A State of Formation

One of the first decisions a business must make after deciding to incorporate involves selecting the proper state of incorporation. A corporation is not required to incorporate in the state of its operations. However, often the best decision may be to incorporate in your home state. Two issues must be weighed to determine the proper state: (1) a dollars and cents analysis comparing the costs of incorporating in the state of operation versus qualifying to do business as a foreign (non-resident) corporation in the state under consideration and (2) determining the advantages and disadvantages of each state’s corporate laws and tax structure. If the corporation is a closely held corporation (not publicly traded) and does business primarily within a single state, local incorporation is often preferable. The cost of local incorporation will usually be less than incorporating in another state and qualifying to do business as a foreign corporation in the state. A foreign corporation that qualifies to do business in another state is subject to taxes, annual report fees, potential lawsuits and legal manners from both the state of incorporation and the qualifying state.

Choose Name for Corporation

Once the structure of the company is chosen the potential entrepreneur should choose a business name for the corporation. The name of the company should be chosen carefully. It is very important that entrepreneurs portray the desired image for their new corporation. Legally, the name selected must not be “deceptively similar” to any existing corporation within the incorporation state. In addition, there are state specific required corporate indicators such as Corporation, Incorporated or an abbreviation.During this process it is advised that potential entrepreneurs contact their Secretary of State, Corporations Division to learn about name availability.

Determine the Composition of Company Stock

The next step is to determine the composition of the business stock. Many different options are available in regards to the structure and composition of a corporation’s stock. Where the corporation has a fewer than 35 shareholders, a simple, inexpensive model for the structure of corporate stock may be most appropriate. A savvy business owner will recognize that authorizing a number of shares that will qualify for the minimum annual state filing fee is often a wise, money-saving choice.

Determine Tax Year

Each business taxpayer must figure their taxable income on an annual accounting period called a tax year. The first year the business files an income tax return it adopts either a calendar tax year or a fiscal tax year. The calendar year is the most common tax year. A calendar tax year is 12 consecutive months beginning January 1 and ending December 31. The other tax year is a fiscal tax year. A fiscal tax year is 12 consecutive months ending on the last day of any month except December.

Businesses must use a calendar tax year if:

(1) You keep no books. (2) You have no annual accounting period. (3) Your present tax year does not qualify as a fiscal year. (4) You are required to use a calendar year by a provision of the Internal Revenue Code or the Income Tax Regulations.

Designate Board of Directors

The designation of Board of Directors is legally required if a corporation is formed. The Board of Directors are essentially necessary for the management of the corporation. Their responsibilities include establishing all business policies and approving major contracts and undertakings. In addition, the Board may also elect the President. Ordinary business practices, however, are carried out by the Officers and employees of the corporation under the directives and supervision of the Directors.

Designate a Registered Agent

Almost all jurisdictions require that the corporation designate a registered agent for service of process. However, in most cases, anyone who has a street address (no P.O. Boxes) within the state of incorporation may act as a registered agent for the corporation. The main purpose of the registered agent requirement is to provide potential claimants against your corporation with a live person, whose whereabouts are available in public records, who may accept service of process on behalf of the corporation.

File Articles of Incorporation

Although state laws differ in their filing requirements of sole proprietorships, corporations must file “Articles of Incorporation” – the main filing document which begins the corporation’s existence. Some state laws, such as Illinois, require a sole proprietorship to file an Assumed Name form with the County Clerk.

Hold First Board of Directors Meeting

After incorporation, the first Board of Directors meeting will resolve the following matters: adopt bylaws; issue stock; adopt a corporate seal; and designate a banking institution to serve the corporation’s banking needs. Many states allow the Board of Directors to be comprised of one person.

Determine Accounting Methods

Each new business must also use a consistent accounting method, which is a set of rules for determining when to report income and expenses. The most commonly used accounting methods are the cash method and an accrual method. Under the cash method, you generally report income in the tax year you receive it and deduct expenses in the tax year you pay them. Under an accrual method, you generally report income in the tax year you earn it. Regardless of when payment is received, expenses are deducted in the tax year you incur them.

Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

To obtain an employer identification number (also known as a tax identification number) the IRS Form SS-4, available on the IRS web site at rs.gov, must be completed. The completed form can and be mailed or faxed to the IRS office indicated on the instructions to Form SS-4. There is no fee. If the EIN is needed quickly, the IRS can assign a tax identification number by calling at (866) 816-2065. The IRS requires Form SS-4 to be completed and present in order to verbally complete the process. The following questions provided by IRS will determine if your company needs to obtain a tax identification number. You will need an EIN if you answer “Yes” to any of the following questions:

(1) Do you operate your business as a corporation or a partnership? (2) Do you file any of these tax returns: Employment, Excise, or Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms? (3) Do you withhold taxes on income, other than wages, paid to a nonresident alien? (4) Do you have a Keogh plan? (5) Are you involved with any of the following types of organizations? Trusts, except certain grantor-owned revocable trusts, IRA’s, Exempt Organizations, Business Income Tax Returns, Estates, Real estate mortgage investment conduits, Non-profit organizations, Farmer’s cooperatives and Plan administrators.According to the IRS website, individuals doing business as sole proprietors will not need an EIN, unless they decide to hire employees. All income for sole proprietors without employees can be reported using the owners Social Security number.

Register Business/Obtain License

Depending on state laws your business may be required to register with the Department of Revenue or obtain a retail license to sell/service to the public. Most states have sales tax laws designed to turn retail businesses into tax collectors. Call or go to your states Department of Revenue office and request the form for business registration to obtain a retail license. A small fee will generally be required and in some states you must renew the license each year. Once your permit is mailed to you, you will be given detailed instructions on how to file the sales tax forms each month.

Get a Business License

Many states and localities require business to obtain a business licenses or permits no matter what type of entity it is. The license can usually be obtained in person by going to the city or village hall business licensing office. These offices usually charge a nominal annual fee for the annual issuance of a business license.My real estate background and experiences with various city halls have demonstrated that the licensing offices’ primary areas of concern are the type of business, hours of operation and location of business. Depending on the scope of your business, your home may require clearance from the zoning department. Although every municipality has different zoning laws, zoning is generally not a problem with small home based businesses. The zoning departments’ main focus is to ensure that new businesses remain legal and conforming to their zoning regulations; don’t improve or build additions that may encroach on easements or public utility lines; and do not disturb the neighbors.

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) provides you best of all Worlds, in that it is a type of business ownership combining several features of corporation and partnership structures. Unlike a general partnership, owners of an Limited Liability (LLC) have limited liability. Which mean an owner of LLC can not lose more than the amount he or she has invested in the company. Thus, the owner is not personally responsible for the debts and obligations of the company in the event they are not fulfilled. And, unlike a limited partnership, owners of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) do not lose their limited liability by actively participating in management of the business.

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) also have many advantages over the most popular business structure, the Corporation. The Limited Liability Company (LLC) and the S Corporation both have the benefit of pass-through taxation. This means that owners in the company report their share of profits and losses on each owner’s individual tax return. The IRS assesses no separate tax on the company itself. However, in the C Corporation “double taxation” occurs when the C corporation first pays taxes on its own earnings and then the shareholders or owners pay income taxes on the dividends they receive. Even though the tax status of a Limited Liability Company and a S Corp are almost identical, the Limited Liability( LLC) can offer small and home business owners many advantages over a Corporation.

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is much easier to form. Requirements for forming a corporation and filing the necessary documents with the IRS to have it be taxed as an S corporation is a complex and time-consuming process. With a LLC you simply file a Certificate of Formation or Articles of Organization with proper state agency, in most states it is the Secretary of States. Unless you choice to do otherwise, single-member Limited Liability Companies are automatically taxed as sole proprietors by the IRS. Limited Liability with multiple owners are automatically taxed as partnerships. Which is much different from the Corporation which must file IRS Form 2553, “Election by a Small Business Corporation,” within 75 days of the corporation’s formation to obtain pass-through status a! s an S corporation.

Other attractive benefits of Limited Liabilities Companies (LLC). In contrasted to Corporations, LLCs are not required to hold annual meetings or keep formal meeting minutes. Owners of a Limited Liability Companies do not have to issue stocks to the owners. There is no limit to the number of members who may have an ownership interest in the company.

There are some draw backs to an LLC but as it relates to small or home business owner they are so insignificant they are no worth mentioning. It clear that an Limited Liability Company is a small business owner’s dream. It provide the protection of corporation, while maintaining the simplicity of a partnership. With LLC you will have more time to focus on the important details of your business and not spending precious time pushing useless paper. For more information on LLCs or other business issues visit www.wizatbiz.com

The Chartered Financial Officer handles all aspects of a business related to finance. He not only takes care of the current business but implements strategies and policies to tackle every conditionthe business would meet in the future. The CFO in other words is the brain of the business. Every decision taken, is taken by him after due consideration on the pro’s and con’s. CFO for hire would give you the services of a CFO on an hourly basis or a weekly basis depending on your requirements. This way you cannot only get the services of a CFO you don’t have to pay as much as you would have to for it.

The reasons why you would need a CFO are far too many to count but to name a few you would require a CFO to predict the cycle your business to running in, analyzing and projecting your business and cash flow needs, telling you how much cash you should keep in hand and how much to invest and where, work aggressively to reduce cost expense and sorting out for tax and other issue’s. They would review the financial statements and check what actions need to be taken, help in the process of hiring and firing employees. They would closely monitorthe business and make recommendations to improve it. The models used in financial planning are often so complex that no one except the experts understand them, CFO’s use them forthe business giving it the professional touch you business would lack.

The small and medium scale enterprises are normally working on very tight margins and to employ a CFO would ruin them. CFO for Hire would be an option where they can avail professional counseling and that too with very little expense.

Caution must be maintained however on whom you hire since you don’t want anyone but the best for your business. You should conduct rounds of interviews, get necessary reference checks, conduct pre employment checks and then hire the suitable candidate. The tests range from ability tests, behavior tests, character tests to productivity tests.

There are plenty of agencies that offer the services of CFO for hire and help you make the right decision for your business needs.

Kind of businesses

When starting a small business one must decide if they wish to incorporate, set up shop with a partner (or a few) or do business as a sole proprietor. Some of the advantages of sole ownership are that the accounting is simpler, there are fewer filing requirements, there are no corporate taxes and you answer only to yourself in terms of management authority. These are compelling advantages, and this structure works for many “professional service” businesses (architect, writer, insurance agent, etc.).

However, the disadvantages of sole ownership are serious and can affect your ability to grow in the future. You will find that it is often harder to raise capital, and financing can be difficult to obtain from banks. Also, as to sole ownership, you are liable for all debts incurred by the business and if sued you could lose your home and any other assets, whether or not they are legally “tied” to the business.

Partnership structures

Partnerships, often called “general partnerships,” add a few dimensions to the proprietor structure. Of major importance is that you can spread the liability among the partners, therefore dampening the blow of losses, lost lawsuits and/or dissolution ofthe business. The partnership structure also enables you to bring in additional expertise to the business, and can give you flexibility in remuneration for the partners.

Partnerships, since they are formed by individuals, are taxed in the same manner as sole proprietorships. This means that each partner adds his or her business income to a personal income tax return. Of course, each partner can also deduct business losses (pro rated). Depending on your tax planning and business strategy, this can be either good or bad for your goals. However, there are some disadvantages to a partnership, such as differing visions forthe business, an unequal commitment in time or resources and the fact that each partner may be liable for the decisions, debts and actions of other partners.

There will certainly be disagreements over management style, growth plans, operations and future goals for the business. You must learn to deal with these without souring a working relationship. You may or may not do well going into business with family. Finally, you may encounter difficulty in attracting investors, since a partnership is much closer to being a proprietorship than a corporation.

The corporate option

If our fictional partners in the foregoing example decide to incorporate, they won’t have fewer people to answer to, but more. They will have shareholders or investors inthe business , people who will help them get started but may also be there second-guessing from the sidelines. These individuals will provide the capital necessary to get the ball rolling, but if this is your situation, you must consider what ongoing role they will play.

With corporations the burden of any liability is not solely resting on the shoulders of one person as with a sole proprietorship, or even several, as with a partnership. You can limit your liability in other ways than incorporating, although that is a major benefit. In fact, there is one business structure called a Limited Liability Corporation, a partnership with the additional feature of corporate-style limited liability.

The IRS also recognizes what is called a “Subchapter S” corporation (or “S Corporation”), available as a structure for most companies with 75 or fewer shareholders. This form of organization allows the company some of the corporate benefits, particularly limited liability and financing options, while taxing it as a partnership.

A regular corporation, of course, is the ultimate form of legal organization for business today. However, it does take some expertise to set up and run, and is not appropriate for everyone. If you do not know how your own business would fare under another structure, you should speak with a knowledgeable business consultant, financial planner and/or attorney. It is not a decision you should make on a snap basis.

Bottom line

Whichever legal structure you decide on is almost at the level of a moot point if there is no business plan – and you can’t develop a plan unless you know what it is you are going to market, where and what your target market is, what your costs are and so forth. Do the research. You may have a great idea but if no one is interested in using your product then you have no business.

The final step before deciding on a legal structure is doing a business plan that extends out at least five years. You have to consider where you may be down the line, and be prepared to make quick moves in the future depending on changing market conditions and other factors. In today’s volatile economy, you must be more vigilant than ever, and no business decision is a simple or easy one anymore. Get some good advice from people and institutions you trust.

Finally, be prepared to ask yourself some hard questions before embarking upon a new enterprise or taking your existing one to the next level. If you cannot be brutally honest with yourself about your product, marketing, sales efforts and the rest, then you will doom yourself from the start. Be honest, be careful, be wise and always – always – have contingency plans ready for those “what if” moments that just might come true. We are seeing a lot of that these days!

1. Heading.

Write attention grabbing & powerful heading. Remember you have 15 seconds or less to capture your visitors attention before they click away. Offer the best benefits or the biggest promise to your visitors. Increase there curiosity by showing them self-serving benefits. Your heading should immediately create a desire in the reader to want to know more.

2. Testimonials

One of the biggest problem on the internet is being believed. Testimonials are the best way to assure people that you are not a scam artist. People want to know what others are saying about the product. In fact a good testimonial from respected well-known authorities within your targeted field will definitely build your credibility & boost sales . Try to include a testimonial as close to the top of yoursales letter as you will get people immediately believing what you say even before they read your sales letter.

3. Build Interest.

Build interest in your reader by discussing a problem or telling a story. The first part of your sales letter should build interest in your readers and try to expand the benefits you got people excited about in your headings. People love to read stories, for more details visit to www.sales-letter-secret.com so tell them some exciting story of your past experience, but remember the story should be within your targeted field.

4. Bullets.

Bullets are one of the most powerful persuader in sales letter. People spend a lot of time reading bulleted list. Bullets arose the curiosity of your visitor, for more details visit to www.killer-sales-letters.com so use them to stress the benefits of your products or services and spell out exactly what’s included in your offer. Make you bullets like a mini heading. Use them to narrate the benefits of your products in a step-by-step way.

5. Comparison.

To prove that your product or services is of a great value you need to show them what you are offering is much better them your competitors. Show them that others are charging much more for a less quality product then yours. Explain them that they are getting a better deal by ordering from you. This way you can prove your products or services are of a great value.

6. Bonuses

Make your offer different & valuable by adding some good products as bonuses. Don’t give away outdated junk as a bonus it will damage the credibility of your main product. Your bonuses should be as good as they can sell on their own. Remember sometimespeople buy the main product just because of the bonuses.

7. Guarantee.

If you have a good product then there is no need to worry about offering a strong guarantee. Make your guarantee look like a personal promise. Try to convince your visitors that they have nothing to loose all the burden is on you to deliver what you promised.

8. Demand Immediate Action

Include a deadline to create a sense of urgency in the mind of your customer. Nobody wants to make a decision, so let your customer know that they will be missing out on a great deal if they don’t act now.

9. What to do next?

Don’t make your customer guess what you want them to do next. Tell them clearly that “ Click here” to order or get immediate access. Make this process as simple & understanding as you can.

10. P.S.

P.S. is very important part of your sales letter as most of your site visitors will immediately scroll down to the end of your page to find out how much it would cost.

A P.S. is a best place to summarize your product or services as visitor checking your price will also have a detailed description of what they will get if they order now.

1. Little interest in improving the business. They often leave businesses unimproved, since they may intend to resell the company later. Also, they may not grant you access to their superior resources (such as better marketing and sales staff).
2. Financial pressure. The buyer will focus on increasing cash flow to pay off the debt they acquired to purchase your business.
3. Deal-making focus. They may sell your business again soon after buying, which means additional turmoil for your employees and clients.

On the other hand, strategic buyers do expect to complement your business with their sales, product and support staff. They may not pay a premium because they know the market better than a financial buyer. They often look for acquisitions that support their strategic plans. However, the seller may not have as great a role in decisions and operations – particularly if your goals are different from theirs.

Whichever type of buyer you attract, you can be sure that financial statements will be the most important part of their decision. Audited statements are preferred by buyers and their bankers. When the buyer examines your statements closely, you’ll find that audited statements help the buyer reduce his risk. This will attract more potential partners, thus strengthening your negotiating position.

Don’t try to sidestep audit costs by simply having an accountant review your financials. That’s better than no review at all, but it’s still not as good as an audited statement. If you have inventory, you may also need retroactive audited statements.

Aside from financials, demonstrate the depth of your management team. There is less risk (and thus more value) when there is a team of managers supporting the owner.

Also, concentrate on what you do best. Drop weak product lines and focus on your core competencies. If you are diversified, break down financials by product line or service provided to help them determine which lines are strongest. Similarly, drop assets (such as undeveloped land) that do not add to the bottom line earnings.
Consider whether to offer the buyer your business, or simply its assets and liabilities. The tax laws favor buyers when they only buy assets, but this usually means the seller will pay more taxes afterwards. Have your accountant document the differences.

If you use an intermediary such as a broker, they will prepare “books” (formally known as “selling memoranda”) which present data about your company and why it is a good acquisition. You will generally find it better to do a business plan of your own and present your own financial projections. Advantages include:
• Always a sound management technique, regardless of your possible intentions to sell.
• No indication to buyers how long you’ve been on the market.
• No tip-off to employees that the business is for sale.
• No urgency conveyed for a sale.
• No outside broker pressure to rush into a deal.

Buyers and brokers can become bothersome, constantly calling owners to convince them to “at least talk about” selling. Brokers may be “fishing” for leads without any real buyers on board. Or they may represent several buyers and work on a contingency. Also, a broker may claim to represent a high-profile buyer, then delivers only substandard speculators.

If a broker writes with specifics about a buyer’s interest, it may be worth following through to get details – but make it clear you’re not currently interested in selling. Make sure you’ve thought through all the consequences better you agree to work with a broker. Don’t get locked into one broker and one buyer’s schedule: having your choice of multiple opportunities gives you much more power.

Be sure you’ve anticipated the fallout in case a deal does fall through. Early in the process, the risk is low and confidentiality easy to maintain. Once there is a letter of intent, you’ll have to back away from other offers. And once the would-be buyer begins due diligence, your employees are bound to find out. Due diligence can cause disruptions for weeks, and even then, there’s no guarantee the letter of intent will lead to a sale. In fact, many deals stall or are overhauled at this point. A bad outcome at this point often reflects badly on your firm to clients, competitors, staff and other potential buyers.