Value creation for the middle market companies.

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Skip the business guru noise. Every week, we deliver battle-tested insights on building valuable companies, founder interviews you can actually learn from, and exit strategies that work in real life.
M&A
Discover how business brokers help buyers and sellers achieve the best value. Learn about their roles, fees, and benefits, plus tips to ensure a successful transaction.
M&A
Discover the importance of Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) for small business valuation. Learn how to calculate SDE, improve your business's value, and make informed financial decisions with this comprehensive guide.
Finance
Discover how add-backs can significantly impact small business valuations. Learn to identify, document, and justify financial adjustments to showcase true profitability and secure the highest sale price.
M&A
Discover the importance of Quality of Earnings (QoE) reports in financial analysis and decision-making. Learn how these reports assess sustainability, uncover risks, and support informed investments in mergers, acquisitions, and beyond.
M&A
Learn how to value a retail trade business using SDE, EBITDA, and revenue multiples. Discover factors influencing valuation and expert guidance from Phoenix Strategy Group.
M&A
Learn about equipment valuation methods, factors influencing appraisals, and challenges in valuing assets like machinery, vehicles, and tools. Discover expert insights for informed decision-making and financial compliance.
M&A
Discover the key valuation multiples—SDE, EBITDA, and REV—that determine the worth of accounting firms. This guide offers insights into factors influencing valuation, strategies to enhance firm value, and the importance of professional appraisals. Perfect for buyers and sellers seeking informed decisions in the dynamic accounting industry.
M&A
Discover how to value small businesses effectively using SDE, EBITDA, and revenue multiples. Learn the fundamentals of business valuation and how to optimize your strategies for buying, selling, or expanding your business.
Finance
Discover the critical differences between financial professionals like bookkeepers, accountants, CPAs, controllers, and CFOs. Learn how to choose the right expert for your business to ensure financial success and growth.
Finance
Discover actionable strategies and diverse financing options to expand your business successfully. Learn how to navigate growth with expert insights and proven approaches.
Finance
Explore the fundamentals of gross profit, its importance, and how it impacts your business. Learn to calculate gross profit, analyze trends, and optimize your company’s financial health with this detailed guide.
Finance
Discover the top 12 factors venture capitalists evaluate when funding startups. From strong leadership to market potential, learn how to position your business for VC success.
Finance
Discover how an outsourced financial controller can streamline your business finances, improve cash flow, and prepare for growth or transactions. Learn the key roles, benefits, and why outsourcing is a cost-effective solution for modern businesses.
Learn how to identify, calculate, and manage fixed and variable costs to keep your business profitable. Discover strategies to optimize expenses, forecast accurately, and achieve financial success.
Finance
Discover how a Virtual CFO can help small and medium-sized businesses achieve financial growth and stability. Learn about costs, benefits, and their key responsibilities in this comprehensive guide.
Finance
Discover the importance of financial audits for businesses. Learn how audits verify financial statements, detect errors and fraud, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster trust with stakeholders. Explore the CFO's vital role in the audit process for transparency and accountability.
Finance
Explore this comprehensive guide to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), including its core principles, benefits, and importance for businesses of all sizes. Perfect for leaders, investors, and financial professionals.
Finance
Discover the key differences between organic and inorganic growth, their advantages and challenges, and how to choose the right strategy to fuel your business success. A guide to sustainable and strategic expansion.
Finance
Discover the crucial differences between controllers and comptrollers, their roles, responsibilities, and how they impact organizational success in the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors.
Finance
Discover the advantages of accrual accounting for your business. Learn how it enhances financial insights, improves decision-making, and supports strategic growth. Transition smoothly with expert tips and tools for compliance and accuracy.
Finance
Learn how cost and price analysis can optimize profitability, improve efficiency, and enhance market positioning. Discover actionable strategies and insights to make data-driven financial decisions.
Finance
Discover how hiring a fractional CFO can revolutionize your business's financial management. This comprehensive guide covers their services, benefits, industry-specific advantages, and strategies for finding the right fit. With practical case studies and insights, learn how fractional CFOs drive sustainable growth, streamline operations, and empower businesses of all sizes.
M&A
Thinking about selling your laundromat? Discover how a professional valuation can maximize your profit, identify risks, and set a realistic asking price for a smooth and successful sale.
M&A
Thinking of buying a painting business? Learn the essential steps, from obtaining a business valuation to negotiating a fair purchase price, and discover key strategies for maximizing your new venture's value. Start your entrepreneurial journey in the painting industry today!
M&A
Discover the key steps to selling your funeral home with confidence. Learn how to determine fair market value, identify strengths and weaknesses, support negotiations, and plan a strategic exit for a smooth and successful sale.
M&A
Learn how to value and purchase a security alarm company with expert tips on business valuations, negotiation strategies, and securing financing for a successful investment.
M&A
Learn the essential steps to successfully selling your masonry business, including obtaining a thorough business valuation, understanding key value drivers, assessing risks, and setting a realistic asking price to ensure a profitable and smooth transaction.
M&A
Learn how to determine the fair market value of an HVAC company before purchase. Discover key valuation methods, identify opportunities, understand risks, and secure financing to make informed buying decisions.
M&A
Learn how a professional valuation can help you sell your tanning salon at the best price. Understand the key factors, value drivers, and risks to ensure a smooth and profitable sale.
M&A
Discover essential insights and methods for valuing a plumbing business. Learn how a detailed business valuation can guide you in negotiating prices, securing financing, and maximizing your investment.
M&A
Planning to sell your flooring business? Discover how a professional business valuation can help you maximize your return on investment. Learn key value drivers, risk factors, and effective pricing strategies to ensure a successful sale.
Discover the key to valuing an auto parts store, whether you're buying, selling, or expanding. Our guide covers strategic valuation approaches, including market and income methods, to help you navigate the complexities of the auto parts industry.
Discover the key to valuing hotels and motels with our comprehensive guide. Learn about the impact of location, staff, services, and online presence on your property's value.
Discover the essentials of pharmacy valuation with our expert guide. Learn about the benefits of understanding your pharmacy's market value, the key approaches to valuation including the market and income methods, and how to enhance your pharmacy's worth.
M&A
Explore valuation multiples for car dealerships: Understand the significance of SDE, EBITDA, and REV multiples in determining the market value of new and used auto dealerships. Essential reading for buyers, sellers, and investors in the $1 trillion U.S. car dealership industry."
M&A
Discover essential insights on restaurant valuation multiples with our comprehensive guide. Learn about market approaches, SDE, EBITDA, and REV multiples to effectively value, buy, or sell a restaurant.
Explore the intricacies of valuing a consulting firm with PSG. Learn about key success factors, standard market multiples, and various evaluation methods to distinguish your firm. Whether you're buying, expanding, or selling a consulting business, our comprehensive guide provides the insights you need.
Navigate the intricacies of car wash valuation with PSG's expert guidance. Understand key factors such as market multiples, location, recurring revenue, and more that impact the worth of your car wash business. Schedule a free consultation today!
Discover the importance of professional printing equipment evaluations with PSG Business Estimates. Our comprehensive guide explains the evaluation process, selection criteria for an evaluator, and the necessary information needed for an accurate assessment. Equip yourself with the right knowledge to make informed business decisions.
Explore the ins and outs of FedEx route valuation with this comprehensive guide. Understand the key factors that influence value, the importance of valuation multiples, and how to make the most out of your FedEx route business. Start your journey to success in the courier and local delivery service industry today.
Discover the importance of accurate beverage equipment valuation with Summit Business Assessment. Our expertise in comprehensive asset valuation enables you to make informed decisions, facilitating successful business transactions. Schedule your free consultation today!
Finance
Explore the key value drivers to maximize your hotel or motel's potential in this comprehensive guide. Whether you're buying, expanding, or selling, understanding these components can help boost profitability and provide a competitive edge in the hospitality industry.
Learn why hiring an operations manager can be critical to the success of a startup, how to determine when to bring one on board, and what qualities to look for in a candidate. Discover the benefits of having an operations manager and how they can help keep your startup on track.
Finance
Learn about the significance of Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) in measuring your business's revenue and how to calculate it. Find out why tracking this metric is crucial for identifying trends and areas for improvement, while avoiding the pitfalls of relying solely on GMV as a vanity metric.
Small startups with limited funding are seeing a surge of acquisition offers from larger companies looking to fill technology gaps and acquire companies with traction. Learn why these small exits are good for investors, life-changing for founders, and beneficial for acquiring companies, and how our firm can help guide startups through the due diligence process.
As a startup founder, don't let tax implications become a headache. With Carta's new 83(b) election feature, streamline the filing process and protect your financial interests with ease.
Cash drag can be a major problem for venture capital funds. Learn how having too much cash on hand can impact returns, and what VC firms can do to avoid it.
Discover what a 409A valuation report is, how to tell if you've got the best one, and how to choose the right provider for your startup. Ensure that your employee stock options are priced accurately and audit-proof with these tips.
Learn why keeping cash in your payment account is not a good idea for startups. Discover the risks of doing so and how to transfer your funds to your bank account for better yield, insurance, and protection against fraud. Read this blog post for essential financial management tips.
Learn how to navigate the departure of a co-founder from your startup with our guide. Discover key considerations, such as equity impact, stock buyback, and severance documents, to minimize disruption and ensure a smooth transition.
Being a CEO is a challenging job, with a never-ending list of demands from stakeholders. In order to succeed, CEOs must balance their own goals with serving their team. This article explores the importance of removing barriers to speed and maintaining clarity in vision and goals, in order to achieve maximum impact as a CEO.
As a startup CEO, balancing your high-growth company and your relationship can be a challenging task. In this article, we explore the importance of perspective and intention in creating a successful balance between your professional and personal life.
As a CEO, it's essential to maintain the right perspective and focus on the big picture. This blog post explores the challenges of balancing operational and strategic responsibilities and offers tips for staying at the right altitude to drive startup success.
Discover the power of telling the truth as a CEO. Learn how to build an environment of trust, increase productivity, and free yourself from the weight of unsaid things. Read on for a guide to leading by example.
Unlock the key to startup success by understanding the critical role of timing. Learn how to balance optimism and skepticism, and how to regularly check for proof of market pull. Maximize your chances of success with these expert tips.
M&A
Discover the key factors to consider when determining your exit strategy as a CEO. From vision and repeatability to landscape and energy, this comprehensive guide will help you make the best decision for your business.
Learn about the dangers of financial fraud in the startup world and how to prevent it. Follow our step-by-step guide to keep your startup's finances secure and protected from fraudulent activities.
This article explores the impact of pay to play provisions in venture capital, including the negative consequences such as strained relationships among investors and the potential positive outcomes, such as assurance of funding and a clean capitalization table. It is a strategy of last resort for companies in need of capital.
Get expert advice on hiring a CFO for your startup, including considerations for the CEO, board of directors, and other employees. Learn how to find the right fit for your company with our comprehensive guide.
A comprehensive comparison of Ramp and Brex credit cards for startups, including key features, rewards, spending limit, bookkeeping, and team spending management tools. Discover which card is best for your seed funded or venture capital backed business.
Starting a business is tough enough, but navigating the relationship with your co-founder can be even more challenging. Here's how to ensure a strong alignment, separate ownership from operations, address issues proactively, and have realistic expectations for your startup.
Discover how the founder myth can limit success in a growing startup and learn about the importance of scaling work ethic and problem-solving approaches. Read on for tips on building a strong leadership team and creating scalable systems.
Learn about pivoting in startups and how to make the decision whether a change in mission or focus is right for your business. Read our guide for key considerations and expert tips for success.
Discover the key responsibilities of a CEO in a company and the importance of balancing a focus on the future with execution excellence. Read this informative blog post now.
Maximize team alignment with your company vision as CEO. Discover effective strategies for creating a content repository, conducting onboarding & refreshers, and using All-Hands meetings.
Startup
As a CEO, understand the significance of your task list and its impact on the company's success. Read our guide on maximizing your impact and prioritize communication, team building, and funding for optimal results.
Learn the importance of building a strong leadership team and how it's crucial for a company's success. Discover the benefits of having a great leadership team and tips for regularly examining and improving your team.
Hiring the right employees is crucial for the success of any organization. Learn about the challenges of hiring and how to tackle the problem of toxic employees in the workplace with this comprehensive guide.
Discover the secret to success in a high-growth company - a top-performing team. Learn how to build, grow, and retain your team with our proven evaluation system and tips for choosing the right players. Boost your company's performance and valuation now!
Maximize your effectiveness as a CEO by adopting the Linda Evangelista rule. Read our guide to prioritize high value tasks, delegate efficiently, and enhance your decision-making abilities. Improve your leadership skills now!
When faced with a lack of capital or the desire to sell part of a company, M&A and VC funding present different benefits. Learn about the key differences and decide which option is best for your business goals and future vision.
Navigate the challenges of merging two companies in a remote environment with the help of thorough planning, technology solutions, and effective communication. Learn key strategies to build a shared vision, establish an integration team, and foster a strong corporate culture.
Understand the importance of due diligence in fundraising and what investors look for in a company. Learn about the main items required for due diligence and make your investment opportunity more appealing to investors.
Learn all about the comprehensive process of IP due diligence in mergers and acquisitions. Discover the key aspects to review, including identification of IP assets, legal agreements, and IP protection. Stay ahead of the game with this ultimate guide.
Discover the benefits of setting daily enterprise value targets for your company. Improve accountability, speed, and understand the drivers of value with our expert guide.
In the fast-paced world of startups, it's easy to get caught up in growth and neglect employee retention. Learn why every employee departure should matter and how to minimize both regretted and non-regretted turnover for a stronger company culture.
Overcome CEO burnout and lead with purpose by following the Five Rs: remove distractions, reinforce strengths, reframe mindset, remind of vision, and prioritize rest. Define a sustainable, fulfilling CEO role.
The startup funding market has changed and CEOs need to adapt. Read this post to learn about the impact of the longest bull run on the market, salary inflation, and practical steps to increase revenue and profitability for your business.
Learn about the benefits of utilizing forward commitments in venture debt for startups, including increased optionality and extended runway. Discover the best time to put a forward commitment in place and how to avoid the pitfalls of venture debt.
As a startup founder, you may be hesitant to share your cap table with your CPA. But there are crucial reasons why your CPA should have access to it. Learn about the importance of reconciling your cap table and providing accurate ownership breakdowns for tax filings in this informative blog post.
An account aging report is a powerful tool for managing and tracking accounts receivable. Learn how this report can provide valuable insights into your startup's cash flow, identify potential risks, and improve credit management processes. Discover how this report can be critical during VC due diligence.
Raising seed funding is a major milestone for startups. Learn the essential steps to take after closing a seed round, including cash management, hiring an accountant, and building your team, to make the most of your funding and keep investors happy.
As remote work gains popularity among startups, it's important to understand the legal and taxing requirements that come with having employees in different states. Learn how to manage state tax accounts when a co-founder or employee leaves, and how to make the best decision for your cash-strapped startup.
Board of Directors meetings can often be an afterthought for startups in the growth phase. But with the right approach, startups can avoid common pitfalls and make the most out of their board. Learn 4 best practices for scheduling, communication, and planning to make your startup board meetings productive and effective.
Life Sciences M&A is still going strong, despite a slowdown in the second half of 2021. Learn about the powerful drivers behind the sector's growth, including digital transformation and patent-protected IP acquisition. Stay ahead of the game with our analysis of the top deals and trends in the Life Sciences M&A market.
Get a grasp on the basics of Intellectual Property (IP) licensing including what IP rights are, the benefits of entering into an IP licensing agreement, and the steps to take when creating one. Learn how to protect your IP and grow your business with our easy-to-follow guide.
Virtual data rooms have transformed the M&A process, and they can do the same for audits. Discover how VDRs can reduce time, resources, and headaches associated with audits, increase security and efficiency, and save on costs. Learn how VDRs can streamline the audit process and make it easier to plan for the next one.
As a CEO, your success is directly tied to the strength of your leadership team. Learn how to evaluate and build a team of aspirational, talent magnets, and results-driven leaders to drive your company's growth and success. Optimize your leadership team for CEO success with this comprehensive guide.
As a CEO, you're pulled in many directions and it can be easy to get caught up in draining meetings and activities. Learn how to identify your unique superpower, build your team and workday around it, and achieve sustainable, fulfilling success in both your personal and professional life.
HR strategy for business success: Learn how a strategic HR function can improve recruitment, retention, engagement, and development. Discover the importance of HR in achieving company goals and driving success.
Leadership is crucial for the success of high growth companies. As a CEO, learn how to identify and replace underperforming leaders to ensure the growth and success of your company. Discover the questions to consider and steps to take to find great replacements and improve company performance.
Learn how to effectively hire and onboard the right leaders as your startup grows. Discover the key areas a CEO should focus on, common reasons for failure in new leaders, and tips to improve executive hiring and onboarding. Optimize your startup's success by mastering the art of delegation.
M&A
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of a Virtual Data Room (VDR) for startups. A VDR serves as an online repository of final business documents and provides a secure and controlled environment for sharing information with investors and company leadership. We will discuss the advantages of using a VDR over other collaboration tools and the benefits of going paperless for startups. Additionally, we will cover how a VDR can help in fundraising and protecting sensitive information. Optimize your startup's information management strategy and discover the benefits of using a VDR.
M&A
Starting a business can be challenging, especially when it comes to raising capital. As a startup founder, the process of fundraising can be overwhelming and time-consuming. To help guide you through this process, we've answered some of the most common questions about fundraising. Learn when is the right time to fundraise, how much you should seek, which investors to target, how to pitch, and how much information to share with potential investors. Get the insights you need to make informed decisions and secure the funding your business needs to grow and succeed.
Earnouts are a common feature in M&A transactions, where a portion of the purchase price is based on the company's post-transaction performance. In this blog post, we explore how earnouts work, why they are becoming more prevalent in the M&A landscape, and what buyers and sellers should keep in mind when approaching an earnout. Learn how earnouts can bridge the gap between buyer and seller valuations, provide a hedge against underperformance, and incentivize former owners to stay invested in the company's success. Discover how a virtual data room solution can help with the reporting and verification of earnout targets. Optimize your M&A strategy with our expert insights on earnouts.
In this in-depth review, we compare Gusto vs Rippling and evaluate their features, pricing, and customer reviews. Discover which payroll and benefits platform is the best fit for your business.
In this blog post, we explore how startups can navigate the evolving cash management landscape in the era of rising inflation. With interest rates low and inflation on the rise, startups are facing new challenges when it comes to managing their cash. Learn about the different cash management strategies and options available for startups, including investing in Treasury bills and bonds, and how to balance the need for safety and growth for your startup's funds.
This blog post is about understanding how to determine the appropriate size of a fundraising round for your startup. The post covers three key considerations for determining the size of a round: knowing the milestones that need to be achieved in order to be successful in the next round, understanding the amount of cash required to reach those milestones, and aligning capital expectations with industry standards and the potential opportunity. This post is ideal for startup founders and entrepreneurs looking to raise capital for their businesses.
Startups are often associated with being lean, but over time, they can accumulate fat in the form of processes, programs, team members, and features that don't add value. In this blog post, we explore how a CEO can combat bloat in their startup through an ongoing, ever-present bloat elimination system. Learn how to ask the right questions, make data-driven decisions, review your team, and stay focused on a singular vision for maximum growth and success.
From the top-level executives to the front-line staff, hiring the right people is essential for achieving business goals. The post offers practical tips and strategies for designing a company culture that prioritizes hiring, building a standardized system for recruitment, and measuring the effectiveness of your hiring process. By following the advice in this post, CEOs and managers can ensure that their company is staffed with the best talent and set themselves up for long-term success.
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