Dwight T. Altman, M&AMI, CM&AP, CBI
Florida Business Exchange

Dwight T. Altman

Buy, Sell and Mergers & Acquisitions

Thinking about selling your business? You would not take your family on a 2-week vacation around the world without adequate research and preparation. Selling or buying a business is a complex process too. Like the family vacation trip around the world, selling your business deserves the appropriate research and planning.

I have been a business buyer, manufacturing business owner and a seller. I understand the buy/sale transaction from these 3 vantage points. Plus, from the credentialed Intermediary perspective. Additionally, over the last 15 years as a Business Intermediary, I have earned the top three industry credentials: CBI, CM&AP, and M&AMI. My experience includes many different types of businesses with a range of value between $30,000 to $12,000,000. These top three credentials qualify me for transactions valued at $50,000,000+.

If you are considering selling your business, or buying a business, I will consider it an honor to personally guide you in your endeavor. If you are not quite ready to sell yet do not hesitate to contact me to arrange a no-cost one-hour consultation to discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding how to prepare your business to be sold at its highest valuation.

I take my responsibility as an Intermediary seriously. My goal is to limit my practice to 3-5 transactions per year, instead of the typical 20-25+ transactions, so I can personally devote the time as necessary to make your transaction successful.

Selling a business:

As a former business buyer, owner, and seller, I completely understand your fears, concerns, anxiety, and future dreams. I can guide you through your buy/sell process while you remain focused on running your business. With me on your side, you can continue to focus on being the CEO, without dealing with the emotional roller coaster of interviewing 20-40 potential buyers, key employees and/or vendors asking questions prompted by rumors of an impending sale or many other distractions. I will shield you from all but the serious buyer(s). My objective will be for the Seller to leave closing table feeling very good about the transaction.

Buying a business:

Similar to most sellers being first time sellers, most buyers are also first-time buyers. Their fears, concerns, anxieties, and future dreams are similar. At closing most buyers will write the largest check they have ever imagined. It is equally important the Buyer leaves the closing table feeling good about the transaction too. To have a successful closing both the Buyer and the Seller must be happy with the closing results. The odds are the best when the Business Intermediary is experienced and well-trained. Professional credentials are unbiased indicators of a high level of professionalism.

About the Buy/Sell process:

As stated above, the buy/sell transaction is a complex process. Fortunately, after 40+ years of industry growth the process is well-defined. An experienced and professionally trained Intermediary can guide all parties through the proven process. Beginning with the first meeting between the Seller or Buyer the Intermediary will explain each step in the process in advance and provide any required forms and/or instructional materials. In most transactions third party financing will be required. The Intermediary will be able to provide experienced resources as needed.

Business Valuation:

From the Seller’s perspective knowing the market value range of their business upfront is vital. An experienced and professional Intermediary will be able to provide an accurate and defensible market valuation before the Engagement Agreement is executed. No two businesses are exactly alike. No two businesses are structured or operated identically. Every business value is impacted by many different variables. Likewise, no two Buyers are exactly the same. Finding the “Best Buyer” will often have significant impact on the selling price of your business. I have experience providing accurate and defensible valuations and I have experience finding the “Best Buyer.” I will be happy to discuss this in great detail during our initial consultation.

Affiliations:

M&A Source

International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)

Business Brokers of Florida (BBF)

 

Credentials:

Merger and Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI)

Certified Merger and Acquisition Professional (CM&AP)

Certified Business Intermediary (CBI)

 

Awards:

2017 DEALMAKER AWARD - State of Florida (Top 3%)

2018 Top Producer Award - FBX Best of The Best Award ($4M+)

2019 IBBA Chairman's Circle Award ($5M)

 

About Fee Structure:

Selling Price less than $1M – 10%

Selling Price greater than $1M – (10%/8%/6%/4%)

 

Buy Your Business

The vast majority of all business buyers are first time buyers, unprepared to meet the complexities of a business acquisition. However, whether you are considering your first acquisition or are a seasoned investor, you can look to us for assistance in every phase of the transaction. The following, therefore, summarizes the key elements of the business acquisition process as professionally conducted by us.

Initial Meeting -
Objectives, Needs and Requirements Review:

In preparation for this initial meeting with us, the business buyer should complete our Buyer Response Form. By completing the form, you will send an email to us with the information provided or you can print the confirmation page and fax it to us. This, along with subsequent discussion relating to your personal goals and objectives, will provide an adequate starting point to begin a detailed search of our large listing inventory in order to develop a selection of "target" businesses for your review.

Review of Acquisition Alternatives:

This is where our professional edge can really make a difference in a successful acquisition. We will make every effort to provide you with pertinent information on a target company's financial performance, staffing, facilities, equipment, lease, inventory, customers and market areas served. In most cases we will have tax returns, customer lists, etc. for confirmation. Where we cannot provide verification of information given to us, we will advise you accordingly.

When the various business names are disclosed, you will be required to sign a standard "Confidentiality/Disclosure" form which, in most cases, is required by the business owner.

For more information please visit our "Buying A Business" page.

Sell Your Business

Your business isn't just any business. It is a living monument to late-night homework and early-morning deadlines. An accumulation of sweat, equity and lifetime achievement.

The decision to sell your business can be the most important decision of your life. Turning your operation into cash is a complex affair involving hundreds of variables. You face an uncertain economy, unbridled competition, sophisticated buyers and, without professional guidance, you face them alone.

Business sales intermediaries have professionally orchestrated hundreds of business sales transactions.

With our worldwide affiliation, our members business offerings are regularly presented to numerous potential domestic and international buyers looking to relocate to our area.

Consider the Facts:

One out of four American businesses change hands each year.

The vast majority of all business sellers are first-time sellers, unprepared to meet the complexities and time demands of a business sale transaction.

"Do-it-yourself" sellers typically receive considerably less than the fair market value of their businesses.

Over 50% of all small-to-medium sized business sales arranged by sellers without professional help result in transactional problems, dissatisfaction or default.

Today's business buyer demands reliable financial and operational information that can be confirmed.

Florida Business Exchange specializes in business sales and acquisitions of firms ranging in price from $100,000 to over $10,000,000. As we have sold about every category of business, we invite your review of our  high level of ethics and performance by contacting them for clients we have served.

We are selective and are highly successful. We have policies of representing those clients who have a desire to see the continuing success of their business under the guardianship of a new owner.

Fee Basis and Policies:

For the most part,  fees are earned on a success basis. This is to say, if we are successful in selling your business, then you normally will not pay our fees until closing. If not, then you will know in advance what the costs will be.

For more information please visit our "Selling A Business" page.