e, this can be managed by the appropriate use of a business broker or advisor to handle any enquiries. In this way the business's identity can be withheld until an enquiry is known to be genuine, while the fundamentals of the business opportunity can be widely promThe buying and selling of privately owned businesses in Australia has often been referred to as the hidden market. This is due to the fact that historically businesses have been very reluctant to reveal that they are for sale, which has kept a $Trillion market be hidden from view. But this is starting to change.

With a growing number of businesses coming onto the market as the baby boomer generation heads toward retirement, businesses are taking a far more open approach to selling. In particular, they are providing things like turnover, EBIT, and Asking Price to the market. The reasons for this are two fold. First online markets like BizExchange require this information. Secondly there is a growing awareness that buyers need to be enticed and a key way of doing this is providing more information. Quite simply providing more information generates a greater number of genuine enquiries.

While there are still concerns among businesses that customers may be deterred or competitors may take advantage if the business is known to be for sale, this can be managed by the appropriate use of a business broker or advisor to handle any enquiries. In this way the business's identity can be withheld until an enquiry is known to be genuine, while the fundamentals of the business opportunity can be widely promo

idden from view. But this is starting to change.

With a growing number of businesses coming onto the market as the baby boomer generation heads toward retirement, businesses are taking a far more open approach to selling. In particular, they are providing things like turnover, EBIT, and Asking Price to the market. The reasons for this are two fold. First online markets like BizExchange require this information. Secondly there is a growing awareness that buyers need to be enticed and a key way of doing this is providing more information. Quite simply providing more information generates a greater number of genuine enquiries.

While there are still concerns among businesses that customers may be deterred or competitors may take advantage if the business is known to be for sale, this can be managed by the appropriate use of a business broker or advisor to handle any enquiries. In this way the business's identity can be withheld until an enquiry is known to be genuine, while the fundamentals of the business opportunity can be widely prom

ings like turnover, EBIT, and Asking Price to the market. The reasons for this are two fold. First online markets like BizExchange require this information. Secondly there is a growing awareness that buyers need to be enticed and a key way of doing this is providing more information. Quite simply providing more information generates a greater number of genuine enquiries.

While there are still concerns among businesses that customers may be deterred or competitors may take advantage if the business is known to be for sale, this can be managed by the appropriate use of a business broker or advisor to handle any enquiries. In this way the business's identity can be withheld until an enquiry is known to be genuine, while the fundamentals of the business opportunity can be widely prom

g more information. Quite simply providing more information generates a greater number of genuine enquiries.

While there are still concerns among businesses that customers may be deterred or competitors may take advantage if the business is known to be for sale, this can be managed by the appropriate use of a business broker or advisor to handle any enquiries. In this way the business's identity can be withheld until an enquiry is known to be genuine, while the fundamentals of the business opportunity can be widely prom

e, this can be managed by the appropriate use of a business broker or advisor to handle any enquiries. In this way the business's identity can be withheld until an enquiry is known to be genuine, while the fundamentals of the business opportunity can be widely promoted to potential buyers. Concern around the reaction of related parties may also be overrated. There is a growing acceptance that every business is for sale at the right price. Add to this the fact that your staff, suppliers, customers and competitors are some of the most likely potential buyers, there is no reason that their enquiries cannot be given due consideration by your advisor.

While some of the competitors operating in the industry may be able to identify the business concerned, at the same time potential buyers outside the industry or looking to expand into the markets in which it operates are given sufficient information to warrant proceeding. The need to provide at least this level of information is even greater for businesses looking for partial sales or equity-raising.

If you are concerned about market perception when putting your business on the market, remember that over 90% of business owners would sell if they received the right offer, while less than 5% are ever approached. Quite simply if you don't advertise your b