If you’ve ever seen an episode of Shark Tank, then you know that the question of a business’s valuation always comes up. Most of the time, and much to the “Sharks” dismay, the contestants overvalue their companies, or do not know their business’s valuation altogether. And more times than not, this results in the “Sharks” passing on the opportunity to invest in the company.
While many small business owners and entrepreneurs may find it difficult to calculate a true valuation of their company, they have an understanding that how much their company is worth can have a significant impact on the business’s financial future.
For example, an accurate business valuation can open the door for an entrepreneur to gain access to the financial capital needed to take their company to the next level. Whether it’s a financial institution or a private financier, both investors will want to have every detail at their fingertips as they decide how much funding can be extended to the company. An accurate business valuation provides insight into how far the business has come, as well as how far the business can go in the future – information that any investor would want to know.
But the significance of anaccurate business valuationdoesn’t end there. Many small business owners either outsource their bookkeeping tasks, or have their employees manage the business’s finances. Whichever the scenario, wealth managers, accountants, investment advisors and other finance-related professionals need to have a clear picture of the company’s worth in order to provide counsel on potential investments or other financial decisions.
Additionally, a business’s valuation can have an impact on a less obvious, but still important, element of an entrepreneur’s financial well-being – business insurance. Without an accurate valuation, a company could end up being over- or under-insured, which could negatively impact in either scenario. If under insured and something goes wrong, the business suffers, and if over insured, a small business owner is simply wasting funds that could have been allocated to paying down other expenses or used for growth opportunities.
Lastly, and perhaps the most common need for an accurate business valuation is during the selling process. In this situation, the value of the business is the most important aspect of the sale, because it serves as the basis of all negotiations. An accurate assessment of the company’s worth can ensure that the business owner will be fairly compensated for their years of hard work and success.
In any event, small business owners should not view their business’s valuation as just a number. A complete understanding of the business’s value can have positive implications to the future success of the company, as well as the owner’s financial well-being. Plus, having a keen understanding of their business’s value, will help keep business owners from needing to jump the “Shark,” or at least will better prepare them if they come face to face with one in the future.
