The market is hot, buyers aren’t skittish, interest rates are low, and your business is really doing well. According to most business appraisal experts, this hypothetical moment would be the perfect time to sell your business.
But not so fast.
There are often overlooked aspects of a business that can significantly lower its value when the time comes to sell. These six risk characteristics can actually hinder your ability to realize the maximum value of your business.
When the topic of employer-sponsored retirement plans comes up, our minds immediately think “401(k).” However, as we pointed out in our post, What is an ESOP and Why Should You Care?, a well-managed ESOP could be a valuable option for you and your company—certainly one worth investigating.
Our goal is for you to walk away better informed and confidently prepared to provide a great retirement plan for the people who make your business successful.
An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) could be a great option for your employees and company leadership. An ESOP is a retirement plan that vests your employees in the business and gives them a compelling reason to care about how the company is doing. When the company does well, they do well. For owners wishing to sell their business, it can provide an exit strategy while maintaining continuity within the business.
Is it something you could consider? Keep reading to learn more.
Due to the lower corporate tax rates—thanks to new tax laws passed last year—C corporations might be the new popular kid in school. If you own or run an S corporation, it might be worth looking into converting to a C corporation—but make sure to consider all the details.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from all of us at Southard Financial!
Southard Financial is so grateful to have clients like you. We appreciate your trust in us to provide quality business valuation and advisory services. Here’s wishing you joy and laughter during the holiday season, a Happy New Year, and a prosperous 2018!
Southard Financial was proud to be a Bonze Sponsor of The ESOP Association Annual Conference in 2021, 2022, and 2023
Southard Financial was proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association in 2020 and 2021
Southard Financial was proud to be a Member Bank Sponsor of the Ole Miss Banking & Finance Symposium in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023
Southard Financial was proud to be a Co-Sponsor of the National Center for Employee Ownership ESOP Nuts & Bolts Event in 2018
Southard Financial was proud to be a Corporate Sponsor of the Mid-South Minority Business Council in 2017 and 2018
Dave Harris attended The ESOP Association Annual Conference in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023
Dave Harris attended The ESOP Association Professionals’ Forum in 2019, 2020, 2021 (virtual), and 2024
Dave Harris attended the National Center for Employee Ownership Annual Conference in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019
Mark Orndorff and Matthew Jakes attended the National Center for Employee Ownership Annual Conference in 2017
Southard Financial attended the National Center for Employee Ownership Annual Conference in 2020 (virtual) and 2021 (virtual)
Mark Orndorff attended The ESOP Association Professionals’ Forum in 2023
Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Flint Hydraulics to Hydraquip, Inc.
Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own Cooper Glass Company
David A. Harris and Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the 2019 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association
David A. Harris and Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the 2019 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association held in Orlando, Florida on October 16-17. They gave a presentation titled “Can Employees Really Impact Company Value?”
Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own TOPS Bar-B-Q chain
David A. Harris and Matthew L. Jakes spoke at the 2019 Spring Workshop of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association
David A. Harris and Matthew L. Jakes spoke at the 2019 Spring Workshop of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association held in Atlanta, Georgia in February, 2019 on the topic of “Valuation Appraisal Checklist – 10 Things Your ESOP Appraiser Should be Doing”
David A. Harris spoke at The Fall ESOP Forum of the NCEO
David A. Harris spoke at The Fall ESOP Forum of the NCEO (National Center for Employee Ownership) held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in October, 2018 on the topic, “Communicating Valuation: Tools, Tips, and Examples”.
Southard Financial negotiated the sale of and was the exclusive financial advisor to Southern Systems, Inc.
David A. Harris spoke at the 2018 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association
David A. Harris spoke at the 2018 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association held in Birmingham, Alabama in September, 2018. He led a workshop called “The People’s Roundtable Interactive Workshop – A series of ‘Build to Last’ activities that focus on developing successful communication and team building programs for employee owners of all generations.” Speakers included Dolores Lawrence, Blue Ridge ESOP Associates; Lindsay Baublitz, SCandH Capital; David Harris, Southard Financial LLC
Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the ESOP Nuts & Bolts Seminar of the NCEO
Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the ESOP Nuts and Bolts Seminar of the NCEO (National Center for Employee Ownership) held in Indianapolis, Indiana in August, 2018 on the topic of “What’s Your Company Worth? – ESOP Valuation.”
Southard Financial helps Transnetyx expand with growth capital
Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the American Booksellers Association Winter Institute
Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the American Booksellers Association Winter Institute 2018 held in Memphis, TN in January, 2018 on the topic of Succession Planning titled “What is Your ‘End Goal’?”
