» Negotiating to invest/buy into an SME business
23/07/10 10:03 from RAISING THE BAR
If you\'re planning to buy a business, you need to be ready to negotiate the purchase price. The seller will want to get a price close to his or her asking price, as well as a smooth transition with few hurdles. As the buyer, you\'ll want a g..
» Due Diligence #8: Business to Business Fit
22/07/10 08:09 from RAISING THE BAR
It is important to evaluate if there is a good fit between the acquiror and acquiree. Among the dimensions that you need to evaluate and articulate are: 1. Strategy fit: how well does the business directionfor the acquiring company fit the ..
» Due Diligence #7 - Sales and Marketing
22/07/10 08:07 from RAISING THE BAR
When the acquiring company is typically interested in growing the business, it is therefore important to understand current activities and results. Some of the key areas of importance would include: 1. Market potential: how do we assess and..
» Due Diligence Checklist #6: Technology
22/07/10 00:15 from RAISING THE BAR
If this is product-driven company, it is important to know whether the company owns these brands and do they have any patents that have been awarded ot applied for. Is there any other know-how or research and development that could provide ..
» Due Diligence Checklist #5: Potential Liabilities
22/07/10 00:13 from RAISING THE BAR
It is important to understand the risk of any major financial surprises in the future. Areas of concern would include 1. Warranty issues 2. patent infringements 3. liens/lawsuits 4. pending regulatory issues 5. unfair dismissals
» Due Diligence Checklist #4: Organisation Infrastructure
22/07/10 00:10 from RAISING THE BAR
What needs to be queried are: 1. Management team - are they capable or running and growing the business? Will they be staying on after the acquisition? If they are leaving, what is the structure of non-competing agreements? 2. Human resourc..
» Due Diligence Checklist #3
22/07/10 00:07 from RAISING THE BAR
Typically, audited financial statements will be required and these will be reviewed by an external consultant. Some of the financial measures that need to be studied are: 1. cashflow 2. days sales outstanding 3. tax returns 4. inventory qua..
» Due Diligence Checklist #2: Competition
21/07/10 23:59 from RAISING THE BAR
The process of buying and selling a company requires a detailed due diligence of all key elements of the business. The points listed below are intended to be a checklist of SELLERS to know what to prepare and BUYERS to know what to ask for...
» Due Diligence Checklist #1: Sustainability of Business
21/07/10 23:52 from RAISING THE BAR
The process of buying and selling a company requires a detailed due diligence of all key elements of the business. The points listed below are intended to be a checklist of SELLERS to know what to prepare and BUYERS to know what to ask for...
» Introduction: Buying/Acquiring A Business
21/07/10 23:42 from RAISING THE BAR
Buying a business, especially an SME, is a complex, yet potentially rewarding process, and can take weeks or months. Because buying a business will involve investing a fair amount of money and time, it is critical to do your homework when g..
» 5 ways for SMEs to save costs and improve cashflows
21/07/10 09:54 from RAISING THE BAR
In order for a business to consistently meet its financial obligations to customers, creditors, employees, investors, suppliers, it will need to properly manage its cash flow. Here are six ways for a business to save costs and increase its ..
» How much is your business worth?
21/07/10 00:48 from RAISING THE BAR
When you’re a business owner and you’re still doing all of the selling yourself, your company may not be worth as much as you think. There is this case where a five-person training agency with the founder the only one doing the selling ie. ..
» Top 10 HR Areas that SMEs Should Work Towards
20/07/10 19:59 from RAISING THE BAR
1. clear values and a sense of mission and vision that permeates the culture 2. values that extends beyond the workplace and impact the larget society 3. honest and transparent communication that creates trust, enhances commitment, and enco..
» Top 10 HR Mistakes Made by Businesses/SMEs
20/07/10 19:35 from RAISING THE BAR
In the past 10 years of learning within and outside the organisation, we recognise that HR is one of the most, if not the most, complex form of managing a business. We critically and objectively evaluate the crux of each situation and have ..
» Top 5 Areas To Focus for Developing a Stronger Business Model
20/07/10 19:19 from RAISING THE BAR
Business model is the central point that connects all the dots together to deliver value to customers. The business model details out how a company makes money by specifying where it is positioned in the value chain and how it delivers valu..
» When should you diversify?
31/05/10 10:38 from RAISING THE BAR
1. Based on evaluating more than 2,500 enterprises in Singapore (period: 2009 - 1H2010) and the current conditions that they are operating in, we find that more than 90% of these businesses have difficulty achieving profitability growth opp..
» Basic considerations for increasing labour productivity
20/04/10 21:50 from RAISING THE BAR
Most business owners in Singapore struggle with different ways of increasing workplace productivity but most of them are not founded on scientific knowledge about human behavior. Rather, they have tried to use various incentives to increase..
» Factors for Labour Productivity
20/04/10 21:35 from RAISING THE BAR
Productivity can be defined as how efficiently and effectively we use our resources at lowest possible cost. Labour plays a very important role and consider as a key driver for the productivity of any organization. Labour efficiency depends..
» Distribution Channel Strategic Considerations
14/01/10 22:32 from RAISING THE BAR
Using perspectives of intermediaries in the flow of goods from manufacturers to customers. Distribution may be either direct (from manufacturer to retailer or from manufacturer to customer) or indirect (involving the use of one or more inte..
» 6 Basic Steps of Going Global
14/01/10 22:31 from RAISING THE BAR
Doing business around the world can seem a long way from doing business in your hometown. But each year countless small businesses make the trek. Like most long journeys, going global can be boiled down to a series of steps. Here are the s..
» Post 3 Years of Operating Your Business: Top 10 Areas to Focus on
15/12/09 00:28 from RAISING THE BAR
There are 10 important areas to focus on once you clear the first 3 years of your operations. An important theme in this case is, G.R.O.W.T.H. Growing your business is a necessity for your business’s survival and your economic well-being. H..
» Top 10 Considerations For Starting a Business
13/12/09 15:05 from RAISING THE BAR
It\'s often said that the first five years in business are a real test of survival but for most SMEs, it\'s actually the first three years that show whether they will survive and the owner has what it takes. As a general rule of thumb, and b..
» Contingency leadership even more critical for SMEs in today\'s settings
13/12/09 04:45 from RAISING THE BAR
In SME\'s context, the contingency approach to management is most relevant on the basis there is no one best way to manage. To be effective, planning, organizing, leading, and controlling must be tailored to the particular circumstances face..
» Understanding business incubation
24/09/09 23:10 from RAISING THE BAR
Many entrepreneurs don\'t have the space or desire to start a business out of their home. They may however find renting space and setting up essential support functions tough when heavy financial resources and energy are most needed for dev..
» Succession Planning for SMEs - Part 4
24/09/09 03:09 from RAISING THE BAR
It is important to note that the succession plan should include an ownership-transfer component to explain how the transfer of asset ownership will be handled, including a description of the transfer mechanism (e.g. purchase, gift or beque..