Common Canadian Tax Schemes for Estate Planning

Section 85 Rollover: What is a rollover and why is it important? Section 85 is a rollover tax-saving tool that allows a taxpayer (individual, company or trust) to transfer property to a Canadian corporation without incurring the transfer-related tax consequences.…

Determining Industry Attractiveness

As a potential buyer of a business one of the most critical factors that will determine profitability is the industry which one buys into. Regardless of whether a firm is operationally effective or not, in the long run profits are largely determined by the industry structure.

A Closer Look at SWOT Analysis

SWOT is an acronym that stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It is used to assess the viability of a new business or marketing plan. The analysis is divided between internal (strengths and weaknesses), and external (threats and opportunities). When drafting your SWOT analysis, the most important part is to explain why and how something is the way it is. For example, if your management staff is a strength, explain why and how they excel. For each of these four categories it is important to evaluate your company from a personal standpoint, but also to compare it in respect to your competitors, because that is the best judgment of how you are doing.

Social Media as a Tool to Increase Brand and Business Value

If you plan on buying or selling a business, remember that a strong social network and online presence is an important aspect of a company’s goodwill, and, ultimately, increases the brand and business value. As digital transformation is accelerating throughout…

Is There a Business Without You?

Selling your business is similar to a corporate employee cashing out their pension. It is the monetary reward for your lifetime of hard work and dedication that will ensure you move comfortably into your retirement years. However, many business owners that are preparing to cash out and move on discover that they are the business, and without them there would be considerable difficulty in running the company moving forward.
If you are wondering whether you and your business are the same entity, consider this hypothetical situation: if tomorrow you completely removed yourself from your role within the company, would the business still be able to function?
If the answer to this question is no, then there are a number of steps you can incorporate into your exit planning strategy that will help you sell your company when you are ready to exit the business.

How to Sell an Amazon Business

With skyrocketing online demand, it’s no surprise that Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Amazon Retail companies are becoming the new favorites among buyers and investors within the M&A industry.  In 2020 alone, over 50% of units sold on Amazon were…

Determining the Right Price for a Going Private Transaction

Considering the various mechanisms at play for a going private transaction can be a complex task; even more so when deciding on the right offer price. Although negotiations, initial valuation, and market conditions all come into play when deciding on…

The Benefits of a Go Private Transaction

Can a Go Private Transaction be Beneficial? Public companies are companies that are listed on a regulated securities exchange marketplace. In Canada, public companies trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange or the TSX Venture exchange. In order to remain listed,…

M&A Industry Insights: Distribution, Warehousing, and Logistics

2020 exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains due to widespread disruptions from the pandemic and from geopolitical rifts like Brexit and the U.S. China trade war.  Historically, several businesses across multiple sectors in Canada and the United States have procured…