Welcome back to Strategic Counsel by ForthRight Business! Looking for Marketing Smarts? You’re in the right place. After almost 4 years of helping to make you savvier marketers, we decided to broaden this podcast to include more business-oriented topics that will make you savvier business leaders.

In this episode of Strategic Counsel by ForthRight Business, we’re talking positioning your service firm for sale with Jonathan Baker. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots – follow and leave a 5-star review!

• Episode Summary & Player
• Show Notes
• Strategic Counsel Summary
• Transcript

Strategic Counsel by ForthRight Business: Successfully Positioning Your Service Firm for Sale with Jonathan Baker, Punctuation

Interested in selling your service business one day? Service firms can be difficult to sell, because there are so many variables and so much emphasis on the people. Never fear, it can be done – even for an amount you dream of! But, you likely have a ton of work to do to make your service business attractive for potential buyers. We wanted you to learn from a thought leader who knows the M&A space super well, so we welcomed on Jonathan Baker, the Practice Lead of M&A for Punctuation and the Co-Founder of Monday Night Brewing. He advises small-to-midsize marketing services and digital firms on transactions and preparing for sale. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• Markers founders should hit to sell their business
• Is your industry niche or broad?
• What strategies should founders know about selling their service firm?
• How do the right people help you sell the business?
• How do service firms make themselves attractive to potential buyers?

And as always, if you need help in building your Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.

Check out the episode, show notes, and transcript below:

Show Notes

• Successfully Positioning Your Service Firm for Sale with Jonathan Baker, Punctuation
  • [0:29] Welcome to Strategic Counsel by ForthRight Business
  • [2:10] Introducing Jonathan Baker of Punctuation
  • [3:39] The differences between brand power and tangible assets
  • [4:54] How do you structure deals where you are bearing some of the risk of selling and the buyer is mitigating their own risk?
  • [7:05] You have to demonstrate that your are replaceable
  • [7:56] What strategies should founders know about selling their service firm?
  • [9:51] What are the different markers founders should aim for?
  • [10:47] What about founders who want to leave a legacy?
  • [18:29] How do the right people help you sell the business?
  • [19:27] Selling a business that you’re emotionally invested in?
  • [25:57] Last thoughts on the people in the business
  • [28:44]  How do service firms make themselves attractive to potential buyers?
  • [30:08] How to approach recurring revenue?
  • [34:02] How does somebody know if they’re doing a self-assessment?
  • [39:18] Is your industry niche or broad enough?
  • [41:13] What should a seller consider in terms of the sale?
  • [44:59] When do people know if that have a good deal?
  • Quick-Fire Questions
  • [50:22] What is Jonathan’s favorite beer and why?
  • [51:19] What are you reading or listening to right now?
  • [51:58] What’s the best way or what’s one thing you do to take care of yourself?
  • [52:40] Connect with Jonathan Baker of Punctuation
  • [53:12] Make sure to follow Strategic Counsel on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • [53:14] Learn more at ForthRight-People.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

What is Strategic Counsel?

Welcome back to Strategic Counsel by ForthRight Business! Looking for Marketing Smarts? You’re in the right place. After almost 4 years of helping to make you savvier marketers, we decided to broaden this podcast to include more business-oriented topics that will make you savvier business leaders.

Thanks for listening Strategic Counsel. Get in touch here to become more strategic. 

Transcript