How to value a business: a comprehensive guide

Understanding the worth of your business is not just a matter of numbers. It’s about comprehending the myriad factors that give your business its unique value. Whether you are looking to sell, seeking investment, or planning for the future, a business valuation provides the critical information you need to make well-informed decisions. This guide aims to walk you through why valuing your business is essential and the multiple factors that can affect this valuation.

Why value a business?

The reasons for conducting a business valuation are varied and can greatly influence both your personal and business life. Here are some key reasons:

1. Selling your business: Knowing the worth of your business will guide you in setting a realistic selling price.
2. Investment: If you are seeking external investment, a well-defined business valuation will help investors understand what they’re getting into.
3. Loans and credit: Lenders often require a business valuation before approving a business loan.
4. Strategic planning: A valuation gives you a baseline to measure growth and set future business goals.
5. Legal requirements: During events like mergers, acquisitions, or divorces, an accurate business valuation may be legally required.
6. Exit strategy: If you’re planning retirement, a valuation can guide you in developing a succession plan.

What affects the value of a business?

The value of a business is influenced by multiple factors, which can be broadly categorized into financial, operational, and market-based criteria. These include but are not limited to:

• Revenue and profitability
• Market demand and competition
• Customer base and their lifetime value
• Intellectual property and brand reputation
• Assets and liabilities
• Industry trends and conditions

Detailed valuation methods

Valuing a business involves multiple considerations and methods. Here’s a more nuanced look at the methodologies typically used to assess the worth of a business.

Price to earnings ratio (P/E)

The Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio is often used to value publicly traded companies, but it can also be adapted for small businesses, especially those in industries where this metric is standard. It provides a quick way to compare the market value per share to its earnings per share.

If a similar company in your industry has a P/E ratio of 10 and your company has earnings per share of $5, the estimated valuation would be $50 per share.

Discounted cash flow (DCF)

Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) is suitable for businesses with variable cash flows or in sectors where future conditions are expected to change significantly. This method is comprehensive but can be complex, often requiring financial expertise for accurate projections.

If your business is projected to generate $100,000 in free cash flow next year and your discount rate is 10%, the present value of that cash flow would be approximately $90,909.

Entry cost

The Entry Cost method calculates how much it would cost to start a similar business from scratch. This approach is particularly useful for startups or businesses that don’t have a long history, focusing on current assets and initial investments rather than past financial performance.

If starting a similar business involves $50,000 in equipment, $20,000 in initial marketing, and $30,000 in operating capital, the entry cost would be $100,000.

Industry rule of thumb

The Industry Rule of Thumb method is used for initial, ballpark valuations and is specific to certain sectors. While quick and convenient, it’s often used in preliminary evaluations and not usually solely relied upon for final valuations.

In the SaaS sector, a common valuation might be 6–7 times annual revenue. If your business generates $100,000 a year, it could be valued between $600,000 and $700,000.

Asset valuation

For businesses rich in tangible assets or intangible assets, Asset Valuation is commonly used, often in conjunction with other methods for a more comprehensive valuation. This method is especially relevant for manufacturing units or other asset-heavy enterprises.

• Comparable analysis: Involves comparing your assets to similar ones that have recently been sold. This method is reliant on having current and accurate market data.
  – If the selling price for comparable machinery is $20,000, your similar, lightly-used machinery could be valued at around that price.
• Times revenue method: Multiplies your total revenue by a multiplier common to your industry. This method is particularly useful in sectors like retail where sales revenue is a primary indicator.
  – If your restaurant earns $500,000 a year, and restaurants in your area are typically valued at 2 times annual revenue, your business could be valued at around $1 million.
• Precedent transaction method: Looks at the sale price of similar businesses to inform your own valuation. For accuracy, this requires recent transaction data and is most effective in industries with frequent business sales.
  – If a similar business recently sold for $2 million, that sets a precedent for your own business’s value.
• Industry best-practice: Utilizes industry-accepted formulas and is often backed by studies or financial indices, offering a high degree of reliability.
  – A dental practice might be valued based on a multiple of its annual billings, a common metric in the dental sector.

Choosing the right valuation method

Selecting the right valuation method is crucial for an accurate assessment of your business’s worth. Consider factors like industry dynamics, available data, and business specifics. Expert consultation and a blended approach often lead to the most precise valuation.

For instance, in a tech startup scenario, the dynamic nature of the industry favors the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) method. It captures future cash flows discounted to present value. Additionally, intellectual property, a substantial asset, benefits from Comparable Analysis in Asset Valuation. Employing a blend of these methods, guided by expert advice, provides the most accurate valuation, crucial for attracting potential investors.