M&A
Self Directed IRAs: ROI Assessment
I'm a big fan of the self-directed IRA. We've set them up for quite a number of clients, partners and investors. It's a great way to further diversify tax-sheltered…
March 20, 2014Insights
M&A insights & market research
Perspective on valuation, deal structure, and sector dynamics across the middle market — written for founders, owners, and investors.
M&A
Creativity is the Key to Business Success
I wanted to start this post out by a quote from Steve Jobs from an interview he gave to Wired magazine as it provides the premise to why creativity is so important…
March 11, 2014M&A
Business Planning: Investing in Technology
If you are a professional entrepreneur, you know you can�t run a small business without proper business planning . Business planning is a crucial element to any…
February 18, 2014M&A
Mistakes When Pitching to Angel Investors
Angel investors can be an important source of capital for entrepreneurs, so perfecting your pitch to this class of investors can be critical. �Whether your pitch is…
February 17, 2014M&A
M&A: Stock Cross-Purchase Strategy
A cross purchase is similar to redemption with one big twist. The purchaser of the parent�s stock is another shareholder individual, not the corporation. In our…
February 17, 2014M&A
How to Build a Scalable Business
A big part of maximizing your return on investment is ensuring the positive cash flows resulting from the business can be poured back into more rapid sustaining…
February 13, 2014M&A
Proper Prior Preparation for a Corporate Merger
While the merger process typically steals all the focus, the often-neglected pre-merger phase can have major impact on later success. Improve your chances of merger…
February 12, 2014M&A
Understanding the Role of Angel Investors
Angel investors have gotten a growing amount of �attention in recent years, even in mainstream media. Better understanding this class of investors can help you…
February 10, 2014M&A
A Variety of Corporate Financing Options
When it comes to financing your business venture, you don't have to take a one-size-fits-all approach. While some types of financing, such as business loans or…
February 1, 2014M&A
Small Business Transition Timing
Timing is a critical element in the design of any transition plan, especially with family-owned businesses. The temperament and anxieties of the parent can impact…
January 26, 2014M&A
Mergers and Acquisitions: Each Require Unique Consideration
What structure makes sense for your particular deal, a merger or acquisition ? It's important to understand both the obvious�and not so obvious�differences between…
January 25, 2014M&A
Exit Planning: Marital Deduction
Smart use of the marital deduction is essential in the design of most exit plans. It�s the tool that eliminates any estate tax bite on the death of the first…
January 19, 2014M&A
Key Considerations Help Determine Transaction Structure
If a merger or acquisition is in your future, be sure you take into account some key considerations before entering negotiations with the other party. �Among these…
January 18, 2014M&A
Understanding How Merger Momentum Impacts Your Business Decisions
The merger-friendly business climate seems likely to continue well into 2014. Favorable interest rates are allowing more buyers to access affordable financing.…
January 10, 2014M&A
Analyze Exit Strategies to Map Your Company's Future
While the day-to-day decisions can make it easy to put off a thorough analysis of exit strategies, it pays to consider the future long before it becomes the…
January 9, 2014M&A
Life Insurance Structuring for a Business Sale
The transition plan must be coordinated with the parent�s life insurance planning. In many family businesses, life insurance provides essential liquidity to pay…
January 5, 2014M&A
Entrepreneurs vs. Politicians
Do Entrepreneurs Make a Bigger Difference Than Politicians? They say politicians are a glimpse into our future. They represent communities, they represent the…
January 4, 2014M&A
Business Valuation and Expert Disappearing Acts
An interest in a business must be valued for tax purposes before it can be transferred to another family member. The standard is fair market value, the price a…
December 28, 2013M&A
Succession Planning for the Next Generation
This particular post will deal with the challenge of transitioning a successful business to the next generation. It is designed for all those who face the challenge…
December 21, 2013M&A
S-Corporation: Tax Implications
S Corporations and their shareholders are taxed very differently than C Corporations , but not every corporation is eligible to elect S status. If a corporation has…
December 16, 2013M&A
C-Corporation Tax Traps
There ere are some tax traps that a C Corporation needs to monitor and hopefully avoid. The C Corporation double tax structure produces more revenue for the…
December 9, 2013M&A
When Ready to Deal, Remember These Four Principles
What comes to mind when you hear the word, "negotiate?" �Do you think about getting the best deal or the lowest price? Does the word conjure up unpleasant thoughts…
December 6, 2013M&A
C-Corporation Benefits
A C Corporation may participate in tax-free reorganizations with other corporate entities. It�s possible for corporations to combine through mergers,…
December 2, 2013M&A
C-Corporations: Tax Implications
When it comes to federal income taxes, there are usually two tax options for any closely held corporation. It can be what is called a regular �C Corporation� or can…
November 25, 2013