This Bargain gave a 13,333% Return..

This is a true story that came over the AP news wire.

?Will Sideri went to an estate sale to look for a Kitchenaid mixer or a bookshelf.?Instead he spotted on the wall, a framed document written in Latin with elaborate script, musical notes and gold flourishes and a sticker from the seller that said “1285 AD….$75”.

?$75? Will bought it on the spot.

?He had it assessed and Surprise!

??It’s over 700 years old and worth over $10,000!

?Not bad - earning an ROI of 13,300.0%

?Not sure what the estate agents were thinking, especially as they knew it was 700 years old and put it on the sticker itself!?

Perhaps they were in a mad rush, lazy, or the concept of a medieval document being worth more than a steak dinner and some wine was beyond their mindset…

?I hate to say it, but this gross underselling happens every day.?Especially for many entrepreneurs when they go to sell their business for the first time.?

?It's easy to underestimate the value of your own business. After all, you know all the ins and outs, the quirks and peculiarities that make it unique but to your eye seems common or perhaps not worth that much.?

?But to an outsider, those same idiosyncrasies can be seen as strengths—the very things that make your business valuable.?

?So, how can you make sure you're getting the full value for your business when it comes time to sell??

?And why should you care – especially if you have no plans to sell anytime soon?

?Because, by keeping an eye on the underlying value of your company and managing accordingly - you will free your time and be able to grow your business beyond your personal limits as a human being.

?Imagine no longer having to wetnurse a company that is dependent upon you to make all the decisions.

?Instead, you’re scaling a business that gives you the lifestyle you want today.

?And if you are looking to sell one day, you are creating the intangibles that are most important to potential buyers.?

?After all, a buyer isn't just looking at what they can get in terms of assets; and they sure as hell don’t give a rat’s behind how much money you spent and how hard you worked or any sweat equity nonsense.

?They're just looking at what they can do with your business under their control.?

?That's why it's so important to manage your company from today with an eye towards its strategic value to a potential buyer. Here are five tips:

1. Differentiate your business.?

What makes your company unique? Do you have a proprietary process or product? Are you particularly good at customer service or turnaround time? Whatever it is that sets you apart from your competition, make sure you emphasize, protect, and strengthen it.?

?2. Focus on growth potential.?

A buyer isn't just looking at what your business is worth today; they're looking at its potential worth down the road. That's why it's so important to have a plan for growth and to be able to demonstrate how you will achieve it.?

?3. Build a strong team.?

A company is only as strong as its team members—so make sure you've assembled a group of people who are dedicated and passionate about what they do. This will not only make your company more effective day-to-day, but it will also show potential buyers that your business has staying power.?

?4. Reinvest in your business.?

When you're making money, don't just pocket it—reinvest some of it back into your company. This shows potential buyers that you believe in the long-term viability of your business and that you're willing to put your money where your mouth is.

?5. Keep tabs on your books.?

Make sure you're keeping accurate financial records and up-to-date financial statements. This will give potential buyers a clear picture of your business's profitability and growth potential.

?There is no excuse for screwing up your books!?This is the only area driving the value of your business that you have 100% control and it’s one of the most common culprits for slashing the price or killing a deal altogether.

?The bottom line is this: if you want to own more than a job that pays the bills and get full value for your business when you sell, you need to focus on increasing its underlying value.?

?Differentiate your company from others in your industry, emphasize its growth potential, and put together a strong team of employees—all things that will increase the perceived worth of your business in the eyes of potential buyers. Manage with an eye towards your underlying value and you'll be rewarded both today and come sale time one day in the future.

?And if you have a document written in exquisite Latin with gold on it and feels a bit “old”.?Get it appraised before you slap it on the wall and pull a price out of you know what…

?P.S. You can read the original story here: https://apnews.com/article/oddities-entertainment-music-religion-3162da2fed026abbdf5820e72f11e523