The Rea Report Summer 2015 | Page 6

KNOWING &GROWING The Value of Your Business Controlling Value Through Risk Reduction Strategies THIS IS PART THREE OF A SIX-PART SERIES ABOUT HOW YOU CAN KNOW WHAT YOUR BUSINESS IS WORTH AND HOW YOU CAN ULTIMATELY GROW ITS CURRENT VALUE. READ PARTS 1 & 2 AT: www.knowandgrow.com/Rea-Report-series T he old adage that “less is more” certainly applies to the amount of risk your business should have – especially when you want to sell it. After all, the less risk your business carries, the more attractive it is to potential buyers. By reducing your risk, you could see your company’s value increase exponentially. Although risk is an inevitable (and sometimes necessary) component of business, it can also hurt your company’s overall health. Risk raises uncertainty in the hearts of buyers about your sustainability of your company’s future cash flow – and rightfully so. The good news is that you can take the necessary steps to reduce your risk and increase your company’s value today. Six Common Risk Factors Affecting Business Value – And How to Fix Them By Tim McDaniel, CPA/ABV, ASA, CBA, principal and director of business valuations (Dublin office), and Brad Martyn, founder and CEO, FocusCFO While some risk factors may take years to modify, you can easily rectify others with simple changes. The following six risk factors are most prevalent among businesses … and are also some of the easiest to fix. ONE: THE RISK: Heavily concentrated customers and suppliers If a single client accounts for more than 20 percent of your revenue, you need to diversify. Similarly, if you have a large supplier contract whose product is a large part of your sales, and you lose the contract – and the product – you’ll lose sales. Customer or supplier concentration is risky for obvious reasons. THE FIX: Diversify Secure diverse sources of revenue to ensure your company will withstand the inevitable ebbs and flows of customer preference and changes in the marketplace. 6