BIZ NEWS FEBRUARY 2025
Market Report
Happy New Year and Happy Chinese New Year!
It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through February!

I’m sure the hospitality sector has been enjoying the great weather recently, with customers flocking to dine and relax in the sunshine.

On the business front, we’re seeing a continued uptick in sales volume, reflecting the take up of opportunities on offer for acquisitions. This trend is a positive sign. Businesses are changing hands but we still need more owners who are looking to sell.

Yes, we still remain short on listings to meet the increase in buyer demand. Are you thinking of selling your business?
If you’re a business owner wondering whether now is the right time to sell, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team of specialised business brokers would be more than happy to meet for a coffee, provide a confidential appraisal, and offer insights to you so that you can make the most informed decision if now is the right time to sell your business.

If you are a seller of a business buyers will expect you to provide the necessary information on your business.
The following 7 essential steps to achieve the best results are:
1. Have up-to-date financial information and be able to point out those discretionary expenses that are not strictly necessary to produce income, i.e. your “perks”.
2. Identify and protect your “intangibles”. These are where most of the value of your business lies, e.g. brands, contracts, databases, systems, relationships, etc, etc.
3. Understand the “market value” of your business. Price it too high and serious, knowledgeable buyers won’t even consider it. Under-price it and you are giving money away. Businesses do not have a precise value, and price may vary from value – but protect yourself with an expert opinion.
4. Have a good reason for selling. “Why are they selling if the business is that good?” is the second question we are asked. If you have a genuine reason and offer on-going assistance and full training, the buyer will feel more secure and possibly pay more.
5. Have systems and operation manuals in place. Again, these comfort the buyer and are one reason why franchises appeal to certain nervous buyers and command premium prices.
6. Top price is a team effort. List with an experienced professional business broker who will liaise with your accountant and your solicitor to protect you – and let you get on with what you do best – running your business.
7. We believe there are two main reasons that businesses don’t sell – price and marketing.. Professional business brokers employ a multi-pronged strategy to give your business the widest exposure to potential investors.

We understand the importance of confidentiality.

Wan Chai Wednesday Networking Event: A Great Start to 2025
On Wednesday, 22nd January 2025, I attended the Wan Chai Wednesday networking event, hosted by the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association (HKNZBA) at Our Land Bar in Cordis Hotel, Auckland. This event was particularly special as it was the first HKNZBA event of 2025 and took place just a week before the Chinese New Year, making it a perfect way to celebrate the start of the year.

Having joined HKNZBA as an individual member late last year, I’ve quickly come to appreciate how the association facilitates valuable connections between professionals and businesses. The event provided a welcoming environment for networking, with drinks and a variety of tasty refreshments enjoyed by members, friends, and guests.

I met with a diverse group of professionals and business owners from various industries, exchanging ideas, and discussing potential collaborations.

As the first event of the year, and with the Chinese New Year just around the corner, the evening carried a strong sense of renewal and opportunity. It reinforced the value of being part of an organisation like HKNZBA, which offers such meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Here’s to a joyful 2025 and a Happy Chinese New Year!
Ben Hong
祝您2025年蒸蒸日上，新春愉快！愿蛇年吉祥如意，万事顺心！

The Clyth MacLeod International Business Brokers Association Scholarship
Clyth MacLeod was a man well respected and recognized in New Zealand, Australia and the USA as a true gentleman and the guru, the go to, for anything related to business sales. Clyth commenced his company, Clyth MacLeod Business Sales in the 1970’s. He went on to oversee more than 9,000 settled sales from his team in the years that followed. IBBA say “As a Lifetime CBI, Clyth exemplified excellence in our profession and in this way, his legacy will continue to live on”.
Impeccable in dress, non negotiable on sound ethics and with a genuine hunger for learning, Clyth was always at the front of the room learning from others and so often at the front of the room teaching others. “Invest in yourself” was his motto. He never stopped learning and he kept on giving.
In Clyth’s honour, this scholarship is for IBBA Members located outside of the United States who have 0-2 years of business brokerage experience.
The winner recipient receives the following:
• 12 Months IBBA Individual Membership
• Summit Pass for a live or virtual Summit (courses #210, #220, #221)
• Conference Pass for that year’s IBBA Conference
• All required online/on-demand courses for the CBI (courses #100, #101 and #104)
• 16 credit hours of elective online/on-demand IBBA courses (recipient’s choice)
• Waived CBI application fee That’s a total value of more than $3,200!
Glorianne is pleased to share that the winner of the scholarship this year is Rob O’Brien from Nova Scotia. The membership of IBBA business brokers is now 3,334 grown plenty in recent years. The conference this year is in Orlando Florida in May! Great organisation to belong to. Great friendships made here too.