Considering selling? Do you think it makes a difference which broker you choose to sell your business? At Capital Commercial Business Sales we do. Do you think it is possible that sellers could jeopardise, and/or risk, their selling chances by choosing the wrong broker or sales process? The choice of the wrong broker or sales process can end up costing tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. What we guarantee you through our selling process: We will list your business on the 5 main lead generators ranked in 2010. We guarantee that every buyer that enquires by email, phone or fax will be responded to within 24 hours during business days and within 48 hours during weekends. We guarantee that every buyer that enquires about your business completes a deed of confidentiality BEFORE any information is released. We guarantee to send a web-based ‘just listed’ brochure to over 1300 registered buyers. We guarantee to compile a quality web-based business sales dossier, which we will provide to buyers who have completed the required confidentially arrangements. We guarantee to phone at least 20 buyers or target businesses within 14 days of listing your business for sale. What we ask from seller clients. We ask that sellers provide all the information we require to help buyers make informed decisions before asking us to market their business. We ask that sellers work collaboratively with us to help achieve the very best outcome. We ask that sellers provide us with feedback. Before choosing your broker or sales process please consider the following: 1. How long have they been selling businesses in the capital region? • How many business have they sold in Canberra this year, last and in the last five years? • Can they disclose the names of the last 5, 10 or 20 businesses and the contract terms the agency and broker managing the sale has made? • What is their average recovery rate? • What is the stamp duty rate in the ACT for the sale of a business? • How many $1,000,000 dollar sales this year have they COMPLETED? 2. What buyer database software are they currently using and what is the buyer matching ability? • How many Canberra or capital region based buyers do they have on their database today? • Do they have a top 20 buyers list if so what are their top 5 buyer prospects in Canberra? • Can they show you an example of their just listed brochure? 3. Are they licensed to sell businesses in Canberra? • Can they provide license numbers for their agency and agent(s)? • If an unlicensed person sells your business, can that compromise the contract? 4. What websites will they guarantee to list your business on? • How often will they renew your listing? • Will they let you see a draft of the proposed advertisement before they list the business for sale? • Will they submit an editorial for your business? 5. Can they send you an example of the web based dossier that they will use? • What information do buyers require today to make an informed decision? • What is the earnings methodology that you will present to buyers? 6. How are you proposing to take buyers through the business? • A: How many buyers will you personally take through? • B: What minimum guarantee do you provide to call back buyers? • C: Can you show me a list of buyers that you are working with? • D: What is your current conversion rate? 7. What methods of sale can you recommend? • Have they ever conducted a business sale via Auction • How does and how effective are their EOI processes when selling your business? • How many businesses have they sold without going to market in Canberra? • What is their direct sales process if maintaining confidentiality is a key requirement? • What are the costs in developing a direct marketing campaign? 8. Can they facilitate a face-to-face weekly, fortnightly or monthly update meeting with you? Frank Walmsley July 2010