In this podcast, business investor Paul Green shares crucial advice and insider secrets for making your first deal. Bill Morrow, co-founder of Angels Den, explains how his company acts as an introduction agency for finance seekers and investors. The podcast also covers key negotiating skills, understanding a seller's real motivations, questioning business valuation, consultancy fees, and the importance of research in buying a business.
Understanding the real reasons behind a business sale is crucial for successful dealmaking, and speaking directly with the seller and their partner can provide valuable insights.
Seeking investments should prioritize finding experienced mentors, industry expertise, and networking opportunities rather than relying solely on crowdfunding platforms.
Deep dives
Insights on Buying a Business
In this episode, serial deal maker Paul Green shares his advice for those about to make their first business deal. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the real reasons behind a business sale, cautioning against misleading descriptions such as retirement or other business interests. Green suggests taking the time to speak directly with the business seller and their partner to get a more accurate understanding of their motivations. He also advises being willing to walk away from a deal if it is not exceptional, reminding listeners that there are always other opportunities.
The Value of Mentorship and Experience
Bill Morrow, a leading figure in alternative finance, discusses the value of mentorship, experience, and contacts when seeking investments. He explains the importance of getting more than just financial backing from investors, emphasizing the potential for mentorship, industry expertise, and networking opportunities. Morrow cautions against relying solely on crowdfunding platforms for funding, highlighting the lack of emotional attachment and support that comes with a large number of investors. He urges entrepreneurs to consider the long-term benefits of working with experienced investors.
Acquiring and Selling a Business
Peter Kittle, a successful deal maker and business broker, shares his journey of building, selling, and repurchasing a business. He highlights the importance of thorough research and negotiation skills when acquiring struggling businesses at a reasonable price. Kittle also shares his experience of selling a business through brokers and the challenges that can arise if they lack understanding of the business. He advises entrepreneurs to be well-prepared, validated potential buyers, and be ready to negotiate with administrators to secure favorable deals in business acquisitions and repurchases.
Crucial advice for making your first deal from business investor Paul Green including two key insider secrets that every new dealmaker should know.
Bill Morrow, who City AM describes as “the most influential person in alternative finance in the UK today”, explaining how his company acts as an introduction agency for people seeking finance and people looking for investment opportunities. Bill is the co-founder of the online investment platform Angels Den.
Jonathan Jay, founder of The Dealmaker’s Academy, describing more key negotiating skills you’ll need to be a successful dealmaker.
Peter Kiddle, business turnaround expert and the Chairman of Business Transfer Agent Ltd., revealing how he put his first deals together and about how his business evolved. Peter now divides his time between consulting on company turnarounds and selling training companies for clients.
Listen to find out:
Why you must discover a seller’s real reason for placing their business on the market
How sellers tend to hide the real reason for selling initially and why it is so crucial you discover what it is
How a seller’s business partner can unintentionally help you to uncover the seller’s real motivation for selling the business—if you ask the right questions and listen carefully
How business brokers and business owners use the same sales techniques as real estate agents and how to see through what they present
Why you should always be prepared to walk away from a deal, no matter how good it seems on paper
How a business transfer agent works
Why Bill Morrow’s business venture works so well
The biggest mistake people seeking funding make
What business investors really want to know
The three reasons alternative investors will provide funding
The biggest value that an investor can provide (and it’s not funding)
Why so many crowdfunded companies fail within two years
The three things you should look for in an alternative funding source
Why you should always allow the other party to raise the issue of pricing
Why so many sellers have such low aspirations for their business
The key difference between a business operator and a business investor
Why you should never denigrate a seller’s business (no matter how poorly it’s been run)
How to drive a wedge between a seller and his or her broker (without appearing to)
The key question to ask a seller about their valuation
What you should do when sellers describe the grounds for their valuation
Why you should ask who valued the business
Why you can immediately reduce a broker’s valuation
How to get the seller onside just by asking questions
How to make the idea of a consultancy more appealing to a seller
How changing tactics helped propel business turnaround expert Peter Kiddle towards huge success
The signs that a business is struggling
Why you should never let a business owner know that you’re aware of how the business is in difficulty or badly run
How slashing overheads helped Peter remove hundreds of thousands of pounds in costs
How merging back-office functions with his existing business helped take one company from a £3 million turnover with negligible profits to a £5 million turnover and £1.5 million profits
Why it took Peter two years to sell his business for £5 million
How the mistakes Peter made helped him to create a business brokerage
Why he bought back a company he’d sold three years earlier
How to come out on top when dealing with administrators
Follow or connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn https://bit.ly/2S3Xzxw
Watch our YouTube Channel The Dealmaker's Academy https://bit.ly/3b86OFI
Episodes of Business Buying Strategies are available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher and Breaker.
Disclaimer: Nothing in this podcast should be construed as legal, financial, tax or business advice. The information is for entertainment only and you should always engage suitably qualified professional advisors. Jonathan Jay, the guest presenters and The Dealmaker's Academy Ltd do not take any responsibility for your actions and decisions as a result of this podcast.
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