Dispelling three business buyer myths |
What Do They Really Want and Why?
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It's a faulty assumption that prospective business buyers
know from the outset the exact kind of business they want to buy.
Experienced business brokers and intermediaries have learned that
most business buyers end up with what is sometimes a far cry from
what first captured their imagination.
Take, for example, the old story of the buyer who
saw (and probably smelled) a doughnut shop in his dreams. This was
the business he was sure he wanted to buy--until he found out that
someone, most likely him, had to get up at 2 a.m. to make the doughnuts
a reality. It is important that, before falling in love with a business
dream, prospective buyers understand the realities and think hard
about their own personalities--what they like and hate to do. Obviously,
if one likes a good night's sleep, the doughnut shop is not a good
business to go into.
In discovering the right business for the right
personality, here are some of the crucial questions a prospective
business buyer might ask himself or herself:
- Does the business look exciting and interesting to me?
- Do I feel that I can improve the business?
- Would the business offer me "pride of ownership"?
- Would I feel comfortable operating the business?
Another old chestnut is that buyers will always choose the known
versus the unknown. And it's true that some buyers may think they
want the familiarity that comes with buying a business similar to
the company they just left. However, the following real-life examples
show what interesting turns the road to buying a business can take:
- A former General Manager for one of the area's largest computer
companies purchased a Learning Express retail store franchise.
He's leaving gigabytes behind to become an expert on children's
educational toys and games.
- An attorney who was formerly General Counsel for a large investment
banking firm purchased the rights to Mad Science. With his purchase
of this franchise, the attorney has switched from high finance
to the advancement of children's appreciation of science through
hands-on experiments for schools, scouting events, and other organizations
- A Human Resources manager for a large investment firm acquired
the Connecticut and Rhode Island franchise rights for a retail
concept offering gift items (e.g., unique gift baskets, cards,
and flowers). In addition, this former manager will also be opening
his own retail store for the sale of these items.
- And finally, for something completely different . . . consider
the former Manager for a Fortune 500 manufacturer who purchased
a Langenwalter Carpet Dyeing franchise!
This final example also points to another false
assumption: that former big-business managers can't shake off the
craving for status or image. In fact, surveys show that victims
of corporate downsizing are willing to "get their hands dirty"
and that they do not necessarily need to be a company's CEO.
Another wrong theory about buyers is that money is the key motivator
in their seeking to own their own business. In fact, if money is
a buyer's main reason for desiring to own a business, a "wrong-move"
alarm should go off before things go any further. Most studies indicate
that money is somewhere below the midway point of the list of reasons
people are interested in a self-owned business. Those who go into
business for themselves and/or buy a business want to run their
own "show," be their own boss and build something for
themselves. Money is the by-product (hopefully) of having the opportunity
to achieve business success on their own terms.
A recent newsletter from a franchise consulting
company contains comments from people who have just purchased franchises.
These people provide resounding proof that money is not a major
motivator. With franchises, they point out, money can't be an issue,
because a new franchise has no income, only the promise of it.
If money doesn't provide the driving force behind
buying a business--what does? The following survey shows the real
reasons for wanting to be a part of the independent business scene:
- Pride in service or product
- Control
- Freedom
- Flexibility
- Self-reliance
- Customer contact
- Income
- Employee contact
- Recognition
- Privacy
- Security
- Status
No matter what the reason for buying a business
and regardless of the type of business desired, savvy prospective
buyers seek help from a business intermediary throughout the buying
process. Although business brokers generally represent the seller,
the buyer also reaps the benefits of expert guidance. The business
broker will show the buyer businesses that fit the profile of the
buyer's "dream," but the broker will also introduce the
buyer to new territory--and new possibilities.
And what about the buyer who dreamed of doughnuts?
He is purportedly now content, testing the wares in the mattress
section of his franchise furniture store.
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