Doomsday

CAUTION: DO NOT POKE THE GIANT

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On June 1, 2011, both Floyd’s Coffee Shops in Portland, Oregon were busier than usual. The regulars were elbowed out of the way by new customers visiting the store for the first time to redeem their coupon and get $10 worth of coffee for…
signature needed

7 Things to do Before Signing a Letter of Intent

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You may be years away from selling your business, but it’s never too early to understand what the process involves. If you have ever promised your child a treat in return for good behavior, you know all about negotiating leverage.…
Right Time

Is Now the Time To Sell Your Business?

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Have you been thinking about selling your business but just can’t decide if now is the best time?  Do you find yourself repeatedly analyzing the economic situation and wishing you had a crystal ball? There are positive signs and there…
Curb Appeal

Does Your Business Have Curb Appeal?

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Let’s say you’re in the market for buying a house and you go to view one that looks appealing in the ad. How does it look on the inside? The outside? What about the location? What is your general impression? Like your house, your business…
Passion Led us Here

The C-word and 7 Others Your Business Should Avoid

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The majority of businesses in America today started out as service companies. If you want to own a web design firm, you don’t need a lot of money, just a technical knack. Enterprising professionals who know how to get the media’s attention…
Crystal Ball

Planning to Sell? How to Answer THE Most Important Question

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Many business owners believe the act of selling their business is similar to passing the baton in a 400 meter relay: once you’re finished running, you get to relax.  In reality, buyers will insist that you stay on for a transition period…
Warning sign

Prevention is Better Than Cure

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To grow a valuable business – one you can sell – you need to set up your company so that it is no longer reliant on you. This can be easier said than done, especially when, like a PR consultant or plumber, what you are selling is your…
Goalie

Four Ways to Protect Your Turf

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Warren Buffett famously invests in businesses that have what he calls a protective “moat” around them – one that inoculates them from competition and allows them to control their pricing. Big companies lock out their competitors by…
stop

Where to Start, When Your Growth Stops

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Why would two companies in the same industry, with the same financial performance, command vastly different valuations? The answer often comes down to how much each business is likely to grow in the future. The problem is that a lot…
Bicycle in snow

9 Warning Signs You’re a Hub-and-Spoke Owner

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If you were to draw a picture that visually represents your role in your business, what would it look like? Are you at the top of a traditional Christmas-tree-like organizational chart, or are you stuck in the middle of your business, like…