Business management has become more difficult because of the COVID-19 epidemic. Businesses need to be leaner and adapt to change more quickly, as McKinsey emphasizes. Resilience and the capacity to change course when things get tough are essential for success.
Additionally, the epidemic has made it more challenging to sell or buy a firm. Explaining your value proposition may be difficult because businesses across many industries have altered their business strategies to survive the pandemic.
BUSINESS BROKER INDUSTRY IN PAKISTAN
In USA, the Business broker annual revenue reported at 1.2billion in 2021. Buying or selling a business with the help of a business broker is a common and trusted practice in international market. However, the broker industry in Pakistan is relatively underdeveloped and an emerging market. According to (Ullah & Najar, 2022) The existing Brokerage Markets are not regulated, and there are hardly any official requirements, which further complicates the situation (educational, training, licensing etc.) Due to its connections with the construction industry and its affiliated businesses, Pakistan’s real estate brokerage market has connections with several significant companies. Despite making up only 0.55 percent of the labor force, this market is crucial to economic activity, especially given that the majority of the nation’s assets are inextricably linked to it.
Although there aren’t any legal requirements, to enter the market, a business broker needs connections and some minimum financial support. Large real estate developers, who control most of the market, frequently influence how much homes cost. Customers (buyers and sellers of properties) are frequently vulnerable to being taken advantage of by the unregistered brokers since they lack official education, training, and licensing requirements. However, the assistance provided by trained brokers is vital in helping buyers and sellers complete the sale or acquisition of businesses and real estate.
Given the lack of generally accessible price information for buyers and sellers and the high transaction costs associated with onerous and time-consuming legal and documentation requirements and procedures, this is particularly critical (Ullah & Najar, 2022).
HIRING A BUSINESS BROKER
Hire a knowledgeable business broker to provide guidance while the sale is being made. Here are seven justifications for working with a business broker:
There are seven reasons to work with a business broker:
- BOOST THE VALUE OF COMPANY BEFORE SALE
Before selling, a broker can help you raise the worth of your company. Making improvements will help you present a stronger case for selling your company for a fair price.
- COLLECT DATA AND FIX PROBLEMS
Speak with your customers first. To get feedback, use online surveys, information from customer service calls, and in-person interviews. Establish who your ideal client is, and make sure your company caters to them.
Learn what issues your customers are seeking to resolve, then develop products and services to address those issues.
These actions can boost client retention and encourage repeat business. Why cultivating repeat business is so lucrative is explained by the Harvard Business Review: According on the study you believe in and the business you work in, getting a new customer can cost five to twenty-five times more than keeping an existing one.
With recurring customers, you can boost revenue while keeping your marketing expenses under control.
With recurring customers, you can boost revenue while keeping your marketing expenses under control.
- ANALYZE OPERATIONS
By making website and eCommerce system improvements, you may improve client experience. Make it simple for clients to browse your website and make online purchases. Automate all rote processes and create a handbook of procedures to detail each step.
Working with a broker who can spot opportunities for development can help you save time. It is your responsibility to run your company profitably while the business broker prepares it for sale.
- IDENTIFY YOUR UNIQUE SELLING PROPOSITION
The broker can assist you in developing a marketing plan to attract potential purchasers, including an executive summary that accurately represents your company. You can get a higher sale price when several buyers vie to buy your company. Brokers are aware of the qualities that potential buyers seek in a company:
- A company that stands out in the market
- Companies that have a history of sales, good cash flow, and net profits:
- Businesses with regular revenue
- A lucrative market niche that can be sustained throughout time • A novel offering that increases revenue.
Work with a broker who can explain to potential customers why your company is appealing. You can close a deal at a higher price if you can provide a buyer a business plan, they can utilize to scale the company.
- GET AN AUTHORIZED BUSINESS VALUATION
A broker can assist you in obtaining a certified business appraisal that has been created by a licensed, qualified appraiser. The appraiser reviews your company’s financials after conducting data analysis.
Because the procedure is objective and accurately represents the company’s value, buyers prefer certified business valuations. The appraiser’s report and other elements that affect company value might be used by the broker to bargain for a lower sale price.
Your broker will research comparable company sales, market trends, and industry statistics. Making ensuring the seller doesn’t leave money on the table is their main concern.
- IDENTIFY PROSPECTIVE BUYERS/SELLERS
In order to discover purchasers, brokers employ 27 different sources, and the company creates a carefully curated list of thousands of possible buyers. They pre-screen potential customers to see if they have the money to make a purchase offer. Your broker will oversee the due diligence procedure after a potential buyer is found to be serious.
- ENSURE DUE DILIGENCE
Brokers can assist you in gathering and organizing crucial documents because they are knowledgeable about which documents are most pertinent for due diligence. It can be aggravating to be asked for more information, but you can delegate that responsibility to your broker.
- FINISHING A PROFITABLE SALE
In addition to addressing the laws, rules, permissions, and licenses that have an impact on the sale, the broker will negotiate the final price on your behalf.
To assist the buyer and conclude a successful deal, your broker can assist in the creation of a closing and transition checklist. The seller can receive advice on best practices and what to anticipate at the closing from an experienced broker.
- KEEP AN OBJECTIVE POINT OF VIEW
The fact that your broker has no emotional connection to the company may be the most significant. A broker will assist you in maintaining objectivity during the stressful and emotional process of selling your property.
- MAINTAINING CONFIDENTIALITY
It is nearly impossible to maintain confidentiality while representing oneself in the purchase or sale of a business. If employees, the media, or customers learn that a company is being sold too soon, it could suffer significant reputational damage. Until you’re ready to disclose your company’s identify, a business broker can manage talks while maintaining confidentiality.
- MARKETING AND PUBLICITY
An effective business marketing strategy is essential before any transaction. Far from being sufficient, placing ads and giving a brief overview of the business is necessary. Based on the potential target demographic, business brokers create, put into action, and execute successful marketing plans and strategies. With the help of our specialized marketing strategies and database of potential customers, we can sell your business swiftly and profitably.
- SECURE PAYMENTS AND FINANCING
To assist qualified purchasers with financing, national and local banks, SBA lenders, and private lenders frequently collaborate with business brokers. Buyers can finish their business deals thanks to the networks and relationships that business brokers have inside the finance sector. The business broker will act as transactional mediators and use a secure payment getaway. This will help you be safe from fraudulent transfers and activities. The business broker can also play the role of as escrow, while you finalize your documents and other paperwork. This allows for both parties to feel confident and protected in sale or purchase.
HOW TO HIRE BROKER SERVICES
1) Locate a nearby broker
You can save time and money by using a business broker, especially if you’re looking to purchase a larger company. Based on your preferences (industry, region, and size), they will find firms that are for sale and can negotiate with the seller. A business broker may be located using one of the following methods: Find out from local business owners whether they have utilized brokers and whether they would recommend them. look up directories online. The state broker agencies with whom the International Business Broker’s Association is affiliated may have directories. A broker might be located on the BizBuySell.com website as well. Obtain a recommendation from the Chamber of Commerce in your area. Call and search the phone directory.
2) Arrange a meeting.
Call the broker you’ve found who seems trustworthy to set up a meeting. Ask if there is anything you need to bring to the consultation and briefly introduce yourself. Check the price as well. A few brokers provide no-cost consultations.
3) Question the broker
Make sure to ask the broker about their experience throughout the consultation. You want someone who has experience working on business acquisitions. Think about posing the following queries:
- How long has the broker been in business? Longer is preferable. A qualified broker should have knowledge of law and accounting as well as expertise appraising businesses.
- Which trade organizations do they participate in? Belonging to a trade association demonstrates that the individual stays up to date in the industry. They might also be able to rely on a wider network.
- Does the broker possess any credentials? The broker must finish courses and pass an exam before receiving a certification, such as the certified business intermediary (CBI) designation.
- How does the broker get paid? Usually, the broker receives a commission from the sale; nevertheless, make sure to ask this question up front.
4) Talk about the kind of company you wish to purchase.
Before they can identify suitable businesses, brokers need to understand your needs. Talk about your passions and the businesses you want to invest in. The ability to examine your budget and determine whether it is reasonable makes business brokers excellent resources.