At a time when opportunities for both permanent and interim assignments have been hard to find, many of you might consider the option to acquire a company, giving you the chance not only for employment but an equity stake as well. A section of the annual Russam Summer Congress, being held on July 3rd is devoted to buying, selling and financing businesses. However, before replying to an advert in this newsletter, it is worth considering what a seller is likely to want from an ideal buyer. A few pointers might help make your approach more interesting:

• Early proof of funding – do you have a solid route to actually pay for the deal?
• Most vendors want to know that you have a sound plan to develop the business
• What will you add to the business? Do you know his market well?
• You should have good advisers lined up: certainly an experienced lawyer, but maybe also a financial adviser
• Good dialogue during the process – sometimes this can be frustrating – resilience and enthusiasm are needed!
• When you have these things lined up, you are ready to look at owning your own business…

For further information on any items in this newsletter, please contact me, quoting the reference number against the items in which you are interested. David Miller, Guest Editor, Russam Business Network.

You might have used factoring before, or you might well have used what the banks call “invoice discounting”. However, these approaches to asset-based lending tend to have high administration costs and lock you in for a long period of time, even if you only need the facility for a short period.

The MarketInvoice concept is much simpler - you register online, then auction invoices due – in a method similar to eBay - receiving cash in advance from investors who compete to provide funding at the lowest cost. It helps interim FDs raise cash quickly or could help raise cash for investment. MarketInvoice has advanced £10.5 million worth of invoices to SMEs in the last year. If you would like further information, contact me (david.miller@russam-gms.co.uk) and I will put you in direct contact with a Market Invoice specialist.

There are a number of acquisitions being sought on behalf of clients or their M&A Corporate Finance Brokers:

• 38343 M&A advisory firm seeks sales mandate
  – PARTNERSHIP FEE >£5,000.
  
  
• 38320 Acquisition sought: Freight forwarding
  - PARTNERSHIP FEE >£1,000.
  
  
• 38312 Acquisition sought: Mechanical Engineering
  - PARTNERSHIP FEE >£1,000.
  
  
• NEW Proven management team seeks high tech acquisition - PARTNERSHIP FEE >£2,000.
  - Other Acquisitions sought

• 38337 Businesses for sale: battery-free pedal light business.
  
  
• 38279 Businesses for sale: Wholesale Bakery

• 38344 M&A Advisory firm seeking debt/equity funding opportunities
  - PARTNERSHIP FEE >£5,000
  
  
• 38152 MBI or BIMBO Executive and Non-Executive Chairmen/CEOs sought for acquisitions. Our client works with individuals with a proven track record to acquire targeted businesses.
  
  
• 38084 CEOs (usually part-time) sought to build on French inventions with global potential.
  
  
• 37859 Real Estate JV partners sought - no previous real estate experience required.
  
  
• - Other Entrepreneurial opportunities