It’s 2021 and I sense a lot of optimism, or at least hoped-for optimism. Of course the vaccines are a huge factor in this and there’s good and bad news on this subject.
Good news: Reports are while two doses give 95% protection one dose gives protection in the 80-85% range (and arguing about it among experts takes off), meaning the same amount of vaccine can treat a lot more people. And the hospitalization rate of those vaccinated is near zero and the AstraZeneca product was at zero for the first 30,000 recipients.
Bad news: The government is in charge of the distribution and it’s another case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. Bottom line, both Democrats and Republicans are really good at self-promotion and really ineffective at getting anything done.
So what do I see in the buy-sell world? Here are three thoughts:
I expect it to be busy at all levels. From micro-businesses like deli’s, dry cleaners, and other small retail to businesses where the owner can actually work “on” the business versus “in” the business to middle market firms.
Why? It’s still a demographic thing. There’s still a disproportionate share of (non-tech) companies owned by people 55-75 (as regular readers know, I believe most owners still working at 80 or close to it want to die at their desk). Things happen as we get older, health issues, burnout, death, etc.
I’m interested in seeing the deal stats for 2020 from bizbuysell.com, Pitchbook, and others. I don’t know what to expect but guess the numbers will be a bit lower than in 2019. That’s one reason I think 2021 will be busy. And that leads me to two sub-points.
First, buyers are going to be fussy (fussier than before) and really digging deep (or at least should be). Banks will be more inquisitive than ever, and both should be concerned with the Covid non-financial factors as much as the standard non-financial factors.
To put up with the increased scrutiny sellers really need to be prepared. I wrote recently about one client who said he realized his firm was not ready for the diligence requirements demanded by the buyer. It starts with the financial systems and statements (get an outsourced CFO if you need to up your game in this area) and move on to all aspects of the business, especially the people.
Bottom line, while it will overall be busy it will be busier for those who are pro-active.
“I feel that it is healthier to look out at the world through a window than through a mirror. Otherwise, all you see is yourself and whatever is behind you.” Bill Withers
