By Richard Parker: President of The Business Buyer Resource Center and author of How To Buy A Good Business At A Great Price©
One of the key areas to consider when you are looking at business for sale listings, and certainly when you start to focus on a specific business to buy, is the competition.
I am often surprised by how many prospective business buyers overlook the competition in their search, and fear it when they are conducting their analysis on a specific business.
Let’s discuss the latter issue first because for me, this is a very cut and dried issue. There are few, if any businesses that do not have competition. And competition is a good thing. If you continually revert back to the competition as a reason to not move forward with a business, then chances are you are not cut out to be a business owner.
Oh sure, how wonderful it would be to buy a business where you are the “only game in town.” If you find a business for sale that controls its marketplace for a product or service that is in high demand, then find a way to buy it, if of course you are the right owner for it. Unfortunately, that is rare, so do not count on it.
As a business owner, I have a different take than most people on competition. This philosophy has worked exceptionally well over the years, and it is one that I recommend you adopt as a business owner. Doing so will make you understand this whole aspect better a business buyer.
In the ten businesses that I have bought and operated, I have always welcomed the competitors. It makes me a better owner, keeps me on my toes, and constantly forces me to look for ways to make my company bigger, better, and faster than them. While I relish the competition, and have had some wonderful relationships with some their owners, make no mistake, my objective is always to annihilate them.
Most importantly, I always look for ways to clearly separate my business from theirs in the eyes of my clients and prospects. In other words, I make sure that we have a very distinct and obvious competitive advantage. That strategy alone can prove to be the best sales tool a business owner has in their arsenal, and it is a surefire way to build a customer base.
Conversely, if you cannot identify a clear competitive advantage in a business you want to buy, then be prepared to own a company that is just another “me-too” business with very limited upside potential.
The lesson is not to fear the competition, but rather to embrace it.
As you get more serious about buying a business, it is critically important to conduct a thorough review of the competition. You will want to get the seller’s perspective on them, but of course you cannot simply use their opinion as your research; it must be validated.
Some of the key questions and issues you will want to know and address are:
When checking out the competition, I have always used one simple strategy: I contact them directly and play the role of a prospective customer. For any service-type business that does not operate a retail environment, you just need to call them.
Of course you must never, ever disclose the true nature of your call, and if you plan on using this approach, make absolutely certain you do not under any circumstances utter a word about the business you are thinking of buying.
Always try to speak to a salesperson. They will be eager to make a sale and will offer up a ton of great information. You should ask them questions about their products, policies, and pricing. Inquire about why you should buy from them versus any of their competitors. Find out the size of their company, their guarantee, how long they have been in business, and how their business is doing overall. Ask them for client references who you can contact (any good company will provide this information), and see what their customers have to say about them.
For a retail business, just visit the store. Look around and observe the business. How do their employees, inventory, store set-up and pricing compare to the business you are considering? Is the competitor’s store more appealing or less so, and why? What promotions do they offer? Do their point-of-sale systems look to be the most current? Speak to the employees (but again be VERY discreet). Ask them casually how the business is doing.
It is also a good idea to contact similar businesses in other parts of the country. You can ask for the owner and tell them you are thinking about buying their type of business in a different state (the further the better). Ask them for their advice about the industry, what they would look at if they were buying this type of business. If you can cultivate a bit of a relationship, they can be a great resource.
I have always found that most people are very helpful. You will not believe how much information you can get just by asking, so never be afraid. People are very accommodating, and quite often they are honored that you would even solicit their advice.
The ultimate question you need to answer when investigating the competition and comparing them to the business for sale is this: If you were an objective customer in the market to make a purchase, where would you rather do business and why? If your choice is the competitor, then it is likely what is happening. And so, you need to determine if you can reverse that perception and at what cost?
Conversely, if the business for sale is far and above better than the competition, then obviously that is a good thing. In this case, you need to be certain you are the right person to sustain that superiority, and increase it over time.
As you can see, there is a lot you can and must do to investigate the competitors of any business you consider buying. This exercise can truly be an eye-opening and highly educational experience.
Remember that competition is part of business life. Do not fear it; leverage it. Never take it for granted, and once you buy a business, do not curtail investigating the competition. You have to always know exactly what they are doing and rest assured, if their owner has any brains, they know exactly what your business is doing.
This article represents a fraction of what you’ll learn on this topic in How To Buy A Good Business At A Great Price© - the most widely used reference resource and strategy guide for anyone thinking about buying a business. Read a detailed listing of what you'll learn.