Under the Restaurant Table Posted on October 25, 2018 by Doug Robbins A dishonest business owner discovers the domino effect … the hard way. Early in my career I was selling a mid-sized restaurant in a shopping mall. It was a nice restaurant, family style, licensed, table seating of a hundred and twenty with ten bar stools. The statements showed a reasonable profit, not great, but reasonable. […] Read More…
Perception is Everything Posted on January 31, 2018 by Doug Robbins Perception Is Everything We were called in one day to look at a company that was in the specialized trucking business. Milt had forty trucks and substantial customers. He was thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old and looked like he was fifty. And as I got to know him, I found out that he worked roughly […] Read More…
A Magic Wand Posted on November 8, 2017 by Doug Robbins A banker was put in a difficult position with two partners who were fighting. The only thing he could do was call in their loans, because their business was making no money. “I don’t know if you can do anything about this,” he told me, “but I recommended that they talk to you.” “Am I […] Read More…
Out of the Shadows Posted on August 22, 2017 by Doug Robbins The following is a great example of the complexity of family-run businesses. It’s often just one thing that needs fixing. Out of the Shadows Approximately eighteen years ago I was approached by Graham, who wanted to know if I could put a value on his business. Of course I said yes. While our Comprehensive Business […] Read More…
The Value of Full Disclosure Posted on March 27, 2017 by Doug Robbins When it comes to digging businesses out of self-made trenches, there is nothing quite like an advisory board. Here’s a tale from Doug’s book of how a team of experts helped a company. The Value of Full Disclosure Donny and Erica, a husband and wife team, approached us a number of years ago to sell […] Read More…
Playing Hardball Posted on January 12, 2017 by Doug Robbins The secret to a successful next generation transfer is to create a structured plan as a guide prior to the changeover. The plan needs to be specific to the business and to the family’s circumstances. Once potential trouble spots are identified, proper succession and transition plans can be put into place to overcome them. The goal […] Read More…
Have an Exit Strategy Posted on October 3, 2016 by Doug Robbins A professional practice is a business, just like any other, and partnerships are prone to fail. The cost of setting up the correct structure for operating and ultimately terminating the partnership is relatively inexpensive compared with the cost of unraveling a relationship that no longer meets the original needs, not to mention the emotional cost. […] Read More…
The Elephant in the Room Posted on September 12, 2016 by Doug Robbins It was time for Ned to retire from the family business. But Ned didn’t have an exit strategy, so he came to us. He and his wife, Joanne, had three children – two sons and a daughter. All three siblings were married. All three worked in the business with Mom and Dad. It was a profitable business. […] Read More…
Crying Over Spilled Oil Posted on July 5, 2016 by Doug Robbins An owner, Jackson, approached us to sell his small machine shop. It was absolutely pristine, located in a brand new 10,000-square-foot building, situated in a farmer’s green ten-acre field. It also featured a paved driveway and parking lot and was well landscaped. We recommended that a phase one Environmental Impact Study be done prior to […] Read More…
Shhh – Keep it Quiet Posted on June 20, 2016 by Doug Robbins Confidentiality is one of the most important things for a business owner to consider when it’s time to sell. In fact, as our experience has shown us time and time again, sellers who maintain a very high level of confidentiality are much more likely to get a favourable amount for their company. If you have been […] Read More…