Selling a family business is both emotional and strategic—much like auctioning a rare treasure. Inspired by Phyllis Kao’s insights at a recent event with Diversified Trust and Sotheby’s, this piece applies four auction principles—provenance, presentation, timing, and the auctioneer—to the sale process. By telling your business’s story, presenting it effectively, and acting at the right market moment with trusted advisors, families can maximize value while honoring their legacy.| Mercer Capital
If the income statement is a movie that records how your family business performed during a particular period, the balance sheet is a snapshot that records what your family business looked like at a particular date. The balance sheet answers two core questions: "What are the assets our family business owns?" and "How has our family business paid for those assets?" We’ll flesh out the first question in this week’s post, and turn our attention to the second question in a subsequent post.| Mercer Capital
It can be all too easy for family business directors to focus on maximizing performance in the current year for the company. However, it is equally important for directors to not ignore less urgent…| Mercer Capital
Clear communication is essential in family business governance, yet shared definitions are often overlooked. That’s why the UHNW Institute’s new Wealthesaurus caught our attention. This online glossary brings clarity to the complex vocabulary of family wealth and enterprise conversations. This resource also provides standardized definitions of common and specialized family wealth advising industry terms. For directors, it’s a valuable reference that supports informed decision-making and...| Mercer Capital
In Part II of our buy-sell agreement series, we dive into three real-world scenarios where independent appraisers play a critical role in resolving disputes, facilitating fair buyouts, and mitigating litigation risks for family-owned businesses. From valuation deadlocks to triggering events and shareholder conflicts, see how independent valuations can protect both your company’s legacy and shareholder relationships.| Mercer Capital
Third-party business valuations provide an unbiased, data-driven assessment of a company’s worth, helping owners and directors make informed financial and strategic decisions. By combining structured methodologies with expert judgment, independent appraisals deliver the objectivity needed for transactions, tax planning, disputes, and other critical business events. In this post, we explore why third-party valuations matter and what to expect from the appraisal process.| Mercer Capital
As directors of private family businesses, you’re no strangers to the delicate balance of maintaining harmony among shareholders while safeguarding the company’s long-term stability. In this week's post, we dive into a related but often overlooked tool: buy-sell agreements. These agreements act as a safety net, ensuring smooth transitions when life throws curveballs, such as a shareholder’s departure, death, or divorce.| Mercer Capital
Our family business advisory practice is focused on three strategic financial questions that weigh on family business directors.| Mercer Capital
As much as they may not want to be, family businesses are not immune to the trends affecting private equity.| Mercer Capital
Cash flows, risk and return, and growth are helpful frameworks for evaluating expectations for your family business in uncertain times.| Mercer Capital
Coming off a run of economic data releases in the last few weeks, we take a look at the numbers and some of their implications for the broader economy.| Mercer Capital
Volatile times are never easy to navigate, but there are strategies family business directors keep their business on course.| Mercer Capital
Last week, the consumer-price index decreased slightly from May, resulting in a year-over-year inflation measure of 3%.| Mercer Capital
The trend towards PE reveals implications for liquidity management, echoing the challenges that family business shareholders have long encountered.| Mercer Capital
Navigating the complexities of estate taxes and wealth transfer can be daunting, with sunsetting provisions that could affect your financial planning.| Mercer Capital
