4 Factors To Help You Grow Your Business Value: Maximize ROI
Steve Duke
Empowering Business Owners to Scale, Build Wealth & Strategically Exit | Expert in Business Growth & Exit Planning | Guide to Financial Maximization & Successful Business Transitions | Author & Virtual Finance Director
Are you a business owner who's not happy with your current business growth and value?
Are you ready to take the next step, but feeling overwhelmed by the many factors to consider?
Don't worry, you're not alone.
As I help business owners grow their business, build wealth, and prepare for exit, countless entrepreneurs navigate this complex decision-making process.
In this guide, I'll show you how to get started with the four important factors that you need to consider when deciding what to do with your business:
Table of Contents
#1: Setting Goals
#2: Navigate Internal Factors
#3: Identify External Factors
#4: Value & Options
Setting Goals For Growth
Begin the process by clearly defining your objectives, as this will allow you to position all other factors within the context of your long-term aspirations. Growing a business involves considering numerous factors, and it can be overwhelming to consider all of them at once.
However, it's important to be honest with yourself about your long-term goals. Making hasty decisions can result in your actions not aligning with your long-term goals. You may not see the growth you desire or later regret the choices you made if you acted too quickly and didn't accomplish your objectives.
How can my goals be achieved, and how does the growth of my business contribute to achieving them?
Align your long-term goals with your business growth strategy.
If your business is not meeting your growth objectives, it's important to consider making changes. If growth is critical to achieving your goals, spend additional time developing your growth strategy to help ensure you accomplish your objectives.
Is my goal to grow my business and become financially independent?
If so, analyze your business and develop a plan for increasing revenue and profitability, then track your progress to ensure you meet your goals. Prepare a financial plan to ensure your growth strategy will meet your financial goals.
Is my goal to expand my business into new markets or industries?
If so, consider the potential opportunity costs and the cost of remaining focused on your current market or industry.
What opportunities am I missing by not pursuing growth in new markets or industries?
Ideas are infinite, but time is finite. You have a limited amount of time to pursue growth opportunities.
There is a limit to how much you can accomplish, and the decision to grow your business should always begin with a thorough and careful review of your long-term goals. If your goals are unclear, then your growth strategy will be based on shaky ground, and you are unlikely to commit to it, which will minimize the value you extract from it.
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer
Do I Need to Grow My Business to Achieve My Financial Goals?
What are my financial goals?
How do these fit into my long-term plans?
What is more important — my financial goals or other goals I may have set?
What will I do with the additional revenue or profits?
Is my goal to diversify my income and reduce risk?
If you need to grow your business to achieve your financial goals, consult with a financial planner to ensure your strategy meets your financial objectives and consider the potential tax implications.
For most business owners, growing their business achieves a personal long-term goal. They depend on growth to help them achieve their financial goals. It’s important to separate your financial goals from your non-financial goals to establish a clear outline of what you want.
Starting a plan with numbers isn’t wise — after all, money is always a means to an end and not an end to itself. First, clarify your long-term goals, and then assign numbers to the goal, if possible.
What Other Goals Can I Achieve if I Grow My Business?
When making the decision to grow your business, consider the opportunity cost of not pursuing growth. Pursuing opportunities is a mutually exclusive decision if you believe in focus. Pursuing more than one objective at a time dilutes your focus and lowers your chance of overall success. There is a significant cost to staying focused on a business that is not growing.
As Warren Buffett once said, “Should you find yourself in a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is likely to be more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks.”
Navigate Internal Factors
Are you a business owner questioning whether your entrepreneurial journey is truly making you happy?
It's a common struggle many entrepreneurs face, but the answer isn't always straightforward.
As a business owner coming to retire now or in the next few years or a burned-out entrepreneur, there are internal factors unique to each situation that trigger a need for change.
In this section, we'll dive into the specific factors that trigger a retiring baby boomer as opposed to a burned-out entrepreneur, and how they can make informed decisions to improve their overall happiness and well-being.
So, ask yourself honestly, would growing your business make you happier?
Let's find out.
Investigating What Triggers Retirement for Baby Boomers vs Burnout in Entrepreneurs
As a business owner, it's natural to wonder if growing your business will make you happier.
While running a business is rarely a source of constant joy, it's important to objectively assess whether a change could bring greater fulfillment, without trading one set of problems for another.
Start by asking yourself whether your business problems stem from a lack of management skills or external factors like increased competition. If it's the former, simply switching businesses won't solve the issue.
However, certain industries - such as those with demanding clients, long hours, or low margins - are known for creating unhappy entrepreneurs. If you value your well-being, it may be time to consider a change if the environment of your industry is a consistent source of dissatisfaction.
Consider restructuring your business to focus on your strengths and high-value activities you enjoy. If you would keep your business if it made you happier or if you could spend less time on minor details, take action to make those changes.
But if you've lost your passion for your industry and know deep down that it's time to move on, develop a plan to exit your business soon.
Remember, true happiness comes from doing what you love and feeling fulfilled in your work.
On the flip side, for business owners looking to exit their ownership, increasing the value of their business is a top priority.
But what are the internal factors that drive a business owner to consider selling their business?
For retiring baby boomers, factors such as:
On the other hand, burned-out entrepreneurs may feel overwhelmed and unable to cope with the daily stress of running their business.
They may crave a
Understanding these internal factors is crucial for any business owner looking to make a decision about their future.
How Will I Spend My Time After I Sell My Business?
What would be different in my life if I sold my business?
The question is not, “What will I do with my money when I sell my business?” The real question is, “What will I do with my time when I sell my business?”
As a business owner, you've spent years building your empire, working tirelessly day and night to achieve success.
But now, as you consider selling your business, a nagging question begins to gnaw at you: what will you do with your time?
It's a question that's difficult to face, and one that many entrepreneurs avoid until it's too late.
But the truth is, how you spend your time is based on your values - and having a clear understanding of what's important to you is the key to a fulfilling post-business life.
While material possessions may seem tempting, they won't fill the void that selling your business can leave behind.
Without a compelling way to spend your time, you may find yourself
So, don't avoid the real question.
Instead, take the time to discover what truly drives you and find something you're passionate about. Because when you wake up each day with purpose, your life will be filled with meaning and joy.
"waste your money and you're out of money, but waste your time and you've lost a part of your life." - Michael LeBoeuf. This powerful quote by Michael LeBoeuf, a renowned business author and speaker, reminds us of the value of our time. As entrepreneurs, we often get caught up in the day-to-day operations of our businesses and forget to think about the bigger picture. But when we sell our business, we're faced with the question of how to spend our time. LeBoeuf's words serve as a stark reminder that time is a precious resource that can never be regained once lost. So, as we consider our next steps after selling our business, let's remember to value our time and find something meaningful to pursue.
Am I Committed to the Process of Growing My Business?
Are you truly committed to growing your business or did you make this decision on a whim?
It's important to fully embrace your decision before moving forward.
Doubts may arise, but take the time to make a thoughtful decision.
Seek advice from:
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Remember that growing a business is a process, not a one-time event.
It can take years of hard work and dedication to increase the value of your business.
Rushing the process may result in leaving money on the table and wasting your time and the time of others.
So, take the time to reflect and make sure you are fully committed before embarking on this journey of growth.
Identify External Factors
Are You Ready to Grow Your Business?
Timing is everything when it comes to growing your business. You need to be strategic and thoughtful in your approach.
The best time to grow your business is when your industry and market are on the cusp of growth.
Seek out advice from industry veterans and experts to get their opinion on the current market cycle. While timing may never be perfect, it's essential to align your goals with the timing of your industry and market.
Growing a business is a complex process that takes time and dedication.
To be successful, your revenue should be stable and ideally growing at a rate higher than inflation. If your revenue isn't where it needs to be, seek advice from an expert to help you stabilize it before embarking on a growth plan.
Is The Timing Right to Grow My Business?
Remember that growing your business is an art, not just a science.
It requires:
The process can be challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Don't wait for the perfect time to grow your business. The time is now.
How Does Competition in My Industry Affect My Decision?
Is competition becoming stronger in my industry?
Are new venture-backed entrants threatening my market share?
Do I have enough capital to fight a competitive industry war?
As an entrepreneur, it's natural to want to fight for your place in the market.
But what happens when the competition becomes too strong to handle?
Are you equipped with the passion and resources needed to compete and survive?
If the answer is no, it may be time to face the hard truth and get out while you still can.
Holding on for too long will only lead to a decline in
Don't let your pride get in the way of making a smart decision.
Selling now may be the best option for you and your business.
Remember the wise words of Warren Buffett: "We've done better by avoiding dragons than by slaying them."
Value And Options To Consider
What is My Business Worth?
Your business is more than just a way to earn a living - it's a valuable asset that you've worked tirelessly to build.
Knowing its worth is crucial to intelligent financial planning and ensuring you get the most out of your hard work.
But how do you know what it's worth?
By having it professionally appraised.
An appraisal not only gives you an accurate valuation of your business but also helps you identify the steps you can take to increase its value. Being prepared for unsolicited buyers is also crucial as they're often the ones most likely to pay top dollar.
Diversifying your risk is also important if you find that your net worth is too concentrated in your business. An outright sale or recapitalization can help you spread your risk and secure your future.
Don't let the unexpected catch you off guard - know your bottom-line price before a competitor approaches you. As Warren Buffet said, "Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing."
Take the first step in securing your future today by having your business professionally appraised.
What Are My Exit Options?
You've poured your heart and soul into your business, and now it's time to think about your exit options.
It can be overwhelming to consider all the possibilities, from selling to a competitor to passing the torch to your management team or even gifting your business to family members.
As an entrepreneur, it's important to acknowledge that you might not have all the answers.
That's where a third-party assessment can come in handy.
By getting an unbiased evaluation of your business, you can learn about the exit options that will maximize your value. With this information in hand, you can take the necessary steps to prepare for a sale or transfer.
But selling your business isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on who you plan to sell to, you may need to take different steps to reduce risk and maximize opportunities. That's why it's crucial to have clearly defined goals before proceeding with any exit option.
Remember, there are creative alternatives to a conventional sale that could be a better fit for your unique situation. Don't be afraid to explore all the options and seek professional guidance to make the most practical and fulfilling decision.
As John D. Rockefeller once said, "Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great." By considering all your exit options and taking the necessary steps to prepare, you can exit your business with confidence and move onto your next great adventure.
Or simply, retire on your own terms!
Is the Value of My Business Increasing or Decreasing?
Your business is like a ship on the open sea - sometimes the waters are calm, and sometimes there are storms. When the value of your business starts to decrease, it can feel like you're in the middle of a perfect storm, with no way out.
If you lack the drive to turn it around, it may be time to consider selling your business. Holding onto it could result in a lost opportunity cost that you can't afford. However, if you are a savvy entrepreneur, you'll hold on for few years and grow your business by at least 2x its current value and increase your ROI when you exit.
This is what we do!
When revenue declines, so does the value of your business. It's a fact that most businesses experience a decrease in value due to this consistent drop in revenue.
Selling a business with this kind of decline is a difficult challenge, but it is not impossible. However, selling a business with stable or increasing revenue is much easier.
We create a growth plan with maximizing ROI!
It's essential to take an honest look at your business and ask yourself if you can turn it around. If you're burned out, and the competition is too fierce, it's time to get out. But if the decrease in your business's value is due to a one-time event or an internal factor that you can fix, then by all means, do everything you can to make it better.
Just get on the growth bandwagon! We grow your business and meet your exit goals on your own terms.
Don't be afraid to change course if your business is taking on water. Energy devoted to changing vessels is likely to be more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks.
Remember that selling your business is not a sign of failure. It's a smart move that could help you extract any remaining value and grow your business while avoiding the inevitable storm ahead. This depends on you!
Is My Business Ready to Grow value?
Is your business ready to take off and reach new heights of success?
Or are there factors holding it back from reaching its full potential?
It's important to ask yourself these questions and take a hard look at the state of your business.
Investing time and energy into preparing your business for sale is key to maximizing its value and appeal to potential buyers. Addressing any fatal deal-killers is the first step, followed by optimizing your business's strengths. By doing so, you'll see a boost in your business's value, making it more attractive to potential buyers.
However, not all business owners have the luxury of time to fully prepare their business for sale. But don't worry, changes can continue to be made while the business is on the market. Just keep in mind that an unprepared business will likely sell for less than its full value.
So, take a look at your business and assess its readiness to grow its value.
Consider the potential ROI of making improvements and decide whether it's worth the investment of time and energy. After all, the present is the time to start planning for your business's future success.
As Larry Ellison once said, "See things in the present, even if they are in the future."
Key Takeaway
At the end of the day, deciding to grow or exit your business is a huge deal. It's a decision that could impact your life in countless ways, so it's important to approach it with the right mindset. That's why we've outlined a comprehensive framework to help you make the best decision possible.
It all starts with your goals.
Once you've got that foundation, you need to delve into the emotional side of things. This can be a challenging process, especially if you're not used to introspection. But it's crucial to address these internal factors before moving on to the external ones.
Once you've done the emotional work, it's time to consider the external factors.
Only once you've explored these questions can you really commit to the process.
And finally, it's time to consider the nitty-gritty details like:
But by following this framework, you can rest assured that you've taken all the most important factors into account.
With this comprehensive approach, you can make a well-informed decision that you'll feel confident about for years to come.
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Business Growth & Value Creation Advisor + Exit Specialist | Advisory Board Member
1 年Steve Duke Great document Steve. Very useful conversation starter of value.
Business Brokers: "STOP STRUGGLING" with Growing Your Deal Pipeline. "START OPTIMIZING" your "DEAL FLOW" funnel | Conversion Marketing Powered By Organic Content Strategy
1 年This is an insane guide for any business owner looking for some direction.