INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS BROKERS ASSOCIATION M&A SOURCE PEPPERDINE PRIVATE CAPITAL MARKETS PROJECT

Broker Addendum Q2 2017

MARKETPULSEQUARTERLY SURVEY REPORT SECOND QUARTER 2017

2 | MARKETPULSE | BROKER ADDENDUM SECOND QUARTER 2017

A full copy of the Market Pulse survey results is available to IBBA and M&A Source members who participate in each quarterly survey. This is a 100-plus page document of up-to-date, relevant information on the state of the marketplace and compiled by Dr. Craig Everett, assistant professor of finance and director, Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Project. 

To become a member, please contact the IBBA and M&A Source headquarters at admin@ibba.org or (888) 686-4222.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS BROKERS ASSOCIATION7100 E. Pleasant Valley RoadSuite 160Independence, OH 44131Office: 888-686-IBBAwww.ibba.org

Lou Vescio, CBI, M&AMI Chairman

Lisa Riley, PhD, CBIMarket Pulse Chair Scott Bushkie, CBI, M&AMI Market Pulse Committee

Kylene Golubski Executive Director

M&A SOURCE3525 Piedmont RoadBuilding Five, Suite 300Atlanta, GA 30305www.masource.org

John Howe, M&AMIChairman

David Ryan Market Pulse Committee

Karl Kirsch Executive Director

PEPPERDINE PRIVATE CAPITAL MARKETS PROJECTPepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management6100 Center DriveLos Angeles, CA 90045bschool.pepperdine.edu/privatecapital

Dr. Deryck J. van RensburgDean

Dr. Craig R. EverettDirector

Lisa Perry, MBADirector, Marketing & Communications

Irina ShaykhutdinovaResearch Associate

© 2012 -2017. All Rights Reserved

MARKETPULSE | BROKEN ADDENDUM SECOND QUARTER 2017 | 3

THE IBBA AND M&A SOURCE MARKET PULSE BROKER ADDENDUM Q2 2017

The quarterly IBBA and M&A Source Market Pulse Survey was created to gain an accurate understanding of the market conditions for businesses being sold in Main Street (values $0-$2MM) and the lower middle market (values $2MM -$50MM). The national survey was conducted with the intent of providing a valuable resource to busi ness owners and their advisors. The IBBA and M&A Source present the Market Pulse Survey with the support of the Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Project and the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University.

The Q2 2017 survey was completed by 293 business brokers and M&A advisors, representing 38 states. Half of the respondents (51%) had at least 10 years of experience. Respondents completed 266 transactions this quarter.

Figure 1: Market Segments Studied

Main Street Lower Middle Market

Less than $500K $2MM - $5MM

$500K - $1MM $5MM - $50MM

$1MM - $2MM

New this quarter, advisors were asked how they market their listings. Most (74%) list on their owncompany website, while about half (46%) use third-party websites. Referrals, internal buyer lists, anddirect mail all rank among the services/tools consistently utilized to market listings.

Among the marketing tools considered most effective, referrals and third-party website listings rankedthe highest. However, results show a large utilization-to- effectiveness gap for companies listingopportunities on their own website. Meanwhile, third party listing sites appear to be an effective butunderutilized tool.

BROKER ADDENDUM

4 | MARKETPULSE | BROKER ADDENDUM SECOND QUARTER 2017

“Based on our own member reports, listing on a third-party site is twice as effective as any othermarketing tool, aside from referrals. Yet less than half are consistently using this tool,” said Scott Bushkie, CBI, M&AMI, President of Cornerstone Business Services, Inc. “It goes to the old adage, it takes money to make money. Those who invest into their business and buyer reach through sites like BizBuySell and Axial will have a much better chance of finding the right buyer and getting the deal closed.”

We reached out to Bob House, president of BizBuySell and BizQuest, to share the results. He says, “Thisis a testament to the continued investments we make in driving traffic to our marketplace. BizBuySellgets over a million visits each month, far more traffic than any firm could get on their own website. Wehope more business brokers will use our listing tools and provide their clients with the kind of visibilitythey need to generate buyer interest, get the highest value, and get their businesses sold.”

Figure 2: Broker Tools, Use vs. Effectiveness

Referral Co .Website 3rd Party Site Internal Buyer List Direct Mail Cold Calls Drop Cards Other

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Tools Used Most Effective

ABOUT PEPPERDINE GRAZIADIO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENTAnchored in the core values of integrity and innovation, the Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management challenges individuals to think boldly and drive meaningful change that positively impacts their organizations and communities. With an entrepreneurial spirit, the Graziadio School advances experiential learning in small classes that deepen connections and stimulate critical thinking. Through our wide continuum of MBA, MS and Executive degree programs offered across six California campuses, Graziadio faculty inspire full time students and working professionals to realize their greatest potential as values-centered, “best for the world” leaders. Follow Pepperdine Graziadio on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

The Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Project reports on the current climate for privately held companies to access and raise capital, as well as the conditions influencing the decisions of lenders and providers serving small businesses and the lower middle market. Our ongoing research engages in multiple survey research initiatives and publishes an annual Capital Markets Report, an annual economic forecast, the PCA Index Quarterly Report in partnership with Dun & Bradstreet and Market Pulse Quarterly Report in cooperation with the International Business Brokers Association and M&A Source.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS BROKERS ASSOCIATION Founded in 1983, IBBA is the largest non-profit association specifically formed to meet the needs of people and firms engaged in various aspects of business brokerage, and mergers and acquisitions. The IBBA is a trade association of business brokers providing education, conferences, professional designations and networking opportunities. For more information about IBBA, visit the website at www.ibba.org or follow the IBBA on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

ABOUT THE M&A SOURCEFounded in 1991, the M&A Source promotes professional development of merger and acquisition professionals so that they may better serve their clients’ needs, and maximize public awareness of professional intermediary services available for middle market merger and acquisition transactions. For more information about the M&A Source visit www.masource.org or follow The M&A Source on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.