7 Ways to Increase Your Company’s Value

About the Episode

What really makes a buyer take notice of a business? This episode delivers actionable steps to make your business irresistible to buyers and highlights what matters most to them. Guest Jon Martinka, a veteran M&A Advisor, also offers practical advice on how to attract buyers and maximize your exit.

“Buyers love to dig in (to details about a company). They are sceptical by nature. At all levels, buyers tend to be excited to get a deal done.”

John Martinka

What You’ll Learn

• Financial Accuracy Matters: Maintain clean, transparent financial records with accurate statements. Buyers will scrutinize every detail, and inconsistencies can significantly reduce your company’s value.
• Reduce Owner Dependency: Build a strong management team that can run the business without you. Buyers are ultimately buying your team and the potential for continued success after your departure.
• Show Consistent Growth: Demonstrate actual growth rather than just potential, as buyers are skeptical of projections and want to see proven performance and strategic vision.
• Invest in Your People: Hire, retain, and incentivize great employees. The quality of your team is a critical factor in determining your company’s value and attractiveness to buyers.
• Lower Dependencies: Avoid over-reliance on a single customer or supplier. Diversify your customer and supplier base to mitigate concentration risks.
• The Three Is – Intellectual Property IT, and Incentives: Protect intellectual property through trademarks, patents, and other mechanisms. Implement strong cybersecurity measures. Develop effective compensation and incentive programs.
• See the Big Picture: Focus on long-term strategy and document growth actions and plans. When increasing value, think strategically and avoid getting bogged down in operational minutiae.

Topics Covered

Want More? Related Resources: 

• Increasing the Value of Your Business | The RVD Model
• Reducing Concentrations of Risk Before Selling Your Business
• Why Do Some Businesses Not Sell?
• M&A Due Diligence | Checklist & Overview
• Optimizing Your Business for a Successful Exit

Meet Our Guest

John Martinka

Nokomis Advisory| Kirkland, WA

John Martinka is a business buyer advocate known as The Escape Artist® because of the work he does helping executives escape the corporate world by buying the right business the right way. He creates large exits for small businesses so the owner can exit with style, grace, and more money. He also helps businesses accelerate their process so they escape their plateau, with a speciality of using growth by acquisition. John’s specialty is working with family-owned companies, typically with sales of $1-$25 million annually, and with people who would like to buy a business. 

John is the author of three books: If They Can Sell Pet Rocks, Why Can’t You Sell Your Business (For What You Want)?, Company Growth by Acquisition Makes Dollars & Sense, and Buying a Business That Makes You Rich.