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By JoAnn Lombardi, President VR Business Brokers/Mergers & Acquisitions

How You Can Grow Your Business Through Acquisition

Acquisitions can be risky when used as a primary strategy for growing a company. Failed integration, in particular, can thwart the long-term success of many transactions. But when used as a strategic tool – a component of a larger corporate strategy – an acquisition can be a highly successful way to grow your business.

Know Your Goals 

Often, companies leap into an acquisition merely to eliminate a competitor or acquire an attractive product. But for acquisitions to fuel a company’s future growth, they can’t be approached thoughtlessly or viewed as an isolated event. Instead, acquisitions should be considered as much a part of business operations as marketing, finance, and other mission-critical functions.

Before contemplating this strategy, you must define your company’s goals. Do you want to diversify assets, reduce costs, increase brand awareness, or expand into new markets? Whatever your goals, an acquisition should further them and complement other corporate plans. You should also compare consolidation with other options, such as organic growth, restructuring, strategic alliances, or even the sale of an underperforming asset.

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By Peter C. King, CEO VR Business Brokers/Mergers & Acquisitions

Who Owns Your Target’s IP?

Intangible assets such as intellectual property (IP) can’t be seen, touched, or physically

measured, but they can provide huge competitive advantages. During the due diligence

stage of your acquisition, it’s essential to research your target’s IP – including patents,

copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. Ownership could be subject to dispute and even pose the risk of litigation.

Locking Down Value

Begin your investigation by identifying key technologies, processes, or products your target company has developed or uses. Then examine which patents have been issued to it and those for which it has applied. As part of your analysis, determine if the patents protect key technologies or only minor aspects of them. If the latter, competitors may be able to bypass certain patent protections.

Also, learn if:

• Any patent applications are provisional – these can be useful placeholders for future nonprovisional filings. 
• Patent applications have been filed in all the countries where the company does business. 
• Any of these foreign applications have expired. 
• Any licenses of third-party patents will be required to use your target’s patents. 
• Any royalties will be owed for past or future use of third-party patents. 
• Documentation exists proving that all patents’ inventors formally assigned the patent to the company.

This last point can be particularly troublesome if the inventor has since left the company.

Copyrights harbor similar risks.

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The Seller’s Guide to Preparing For Life After Sale

By Kaitlinn Thatcher, Axial

Selling a company is a time-consuming and emotional process that often leaves little time for the owner and their business to consider post-sale circumstances. It’s not uncommon for CEOs and entrepreneurs—already busy running their firms day to day — to focus entirely on valuation and closing a deal, but the preparation for that sale and life after should not be overlooked.

Today’s article touches on the following:

• Pre-Sale Questions
• Personal Wealth Planning
• Post-Transaction Roles
• Successor Liability

To dive deeper into this topic, see the end of this article to download the eBook. To receive articles like this directly to your inbox, subscribe to Exit Ready.

Pre-Sale Questions

Before closing a deal, it’s important for the business owner to spend time thinking through the post-sale plan and what they want their business and life to be like. Advance planning will help the business owner find the right partners, arrive at the right deal, and seamlessly transition into their desired lifestyle.

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A Successful Car Rental Operation located in Atlantic Region of the United States

The business is located in three prominent cities in the Mid-Atlantic region of the country, providing convenient car rental services to a wide range of customers. Since its inception over a decade ago, the company has emerged as an established leader in the auto rental industry, consistently delivering excellent service, cutting-edge innovation, and a commitment to customer satisfaction. This business has a significant opportunity for market expansion.

For more information contact: Carlos Guevara

Thinking of selling your business or looking for an established 

business to purchase? Contact a VR Office Near You!

VR Office in San Antonio, TX Sold a Commercial Medical Embroidery Company

The business operates as a single high-volume medical uniform store, which holds a leading position in the San Antonio market due to its prime location. The store offers a wide selection of inventory, representing the best brands in the industry. Additionally, it owns and operates multiple best-in-class CNC embroidery equipment, ensuring the production of high-quality and long-lasting embroideries. The business has been honored with a prestigious award twice. It has a well-established growth plan and has established an Endowment with nursing schools to increase brand awareness and goodwill among nursing students prior to their entry into the profession. Furthermore, the business has developed a high-quality private label line with competitive profit margins.

Congratulations to Omar Garcia for your successful closing.

Social Media Strategy for Your Business

by Gundo Kahle, CEO CBA Cross Borders Associates

Today I have a special subject – I want to talk about how to start a social media strategy for your business.  

Starting a social media strategy for your business begins with understanding your objectives and the landscape in which you will operate. First, identify your business goals and how social media can help achieve them, whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving sales, or fostering community engagement. This clarity will guide your strategy and keep efforts aligned with broader business aims.

Next, research your target audience to determine which social media platforms they frequent. This involves analyzing demographic data, behavior patterns, and preferences to tailor your content to their interests and habits. Understanding your audience allows you to create more relevant and engaging content, increasing the likelihood of successful interactions.

After identifying your audience and their preferred platforms, conduct a competitive analysis to see how similar businesses are utilizing social media. Examine the types of content they post, their engagement levels, and the strategies they use to attract and retain followers. This can provide insights and inspiration for your approach while highlighting opportunities to differentiate your brand.

Developing a content plan is the next crucial step. This plan should outline the types of content you will create, the themes or messages you want to convey, and a posting schedule that ensures consistency without overwhelming your audience. Consider a mix of promotional, educational, and entertaining content to keep your feed varied and engaging.

Content creation itself requires a balance of creativity and consistency. Use high-quality visuals, compelling copy, and multimedia elements to capture attention and encourage interaction. Incorporate user-generated content and collaborate with influencers or other brands to expand your reach and credibility.

Engagement is a critical component of any social media strategy. Actively monitor your accounts to respond to comments, messages, and mentions. Foster a sense of community by engaging with your followers, asking for their input, and showing appreciation for their support. This two-way interaction builds loyalty and encourages more meaningful connections.

Analyzing your performance is essential for continuous improvement. Utilize the analytics tools provided by each social media platform to track metrics such as reach, engagement, and conversion rates. Regularly reviewing these metrics helps you understand what works, and what doesn’t, and how to adjust your strategy accordingly.

Finally, stay adaptable and open to change. Social media trends and algorithms are constantly evolving, so it’s important to remain flexible and willing to experiment with new approaches. Continuous learning and adaptation will keep your strategy fresh and effective, ensuring long-term success in your social media endeavors.

VR is the Only Remaining Founding Firm of The International Business Brokers Association (“IBBA”).