M&A Advisor Tip: Intangibles Matter

Intangible assets can play a significant role in your business value. While these may not take physical form, they can be legally identified and transferred.

It can be a hard exercise, especially when you’re so close to the business. But here’s a list of some possibilities to consider formally documenting.

  • Contracts, licenses, distribution agreements, permits
  • Customer lists and loyalty metrics
  • Intellectual property, e.g., patents, trademarks, copyrights
  • Location-rights (e.g., land, water, mineral)
  • Marketing assets, including testimonials and portfolios
  • Supplier base
  • Trade secrets and proprietary processes
  • Web presence, internet domains
  • Workforce in place, management team

Think about the value of intangible assets as you grow your business. Conduct an inventory and document how each one contributes to your company’s success.

We will look at these things when we perform an estimate of value, an intermediary opinion of value or formal valuation. We also can help you identify the intangible assets buyers care about most.

What our clients are saying...

“What a great experience it was to work with John Howe, who sold my business in May 2012. A year prior, his thorough analysis of the business pointed out ways to increase annual revenue. Because of this, I made changes that immediately increased revenue, substantially increasing the value of the business. John then found the right buyer and coordinated a seamless transition—he doesn’t miss a single detail. He provides excellent business consultation, is highly organized, and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend John to anyone who is looking to sell their business or simply improve the bottom line.”

- Maundy Mitchell

Comfort Keepers