On today's episode, part of our series on getting your Middle Market business ready to go to market, Cheryl Ashenbrener, National Leader for Transaction Advisory Services at Sikich (and one of our most popular guests here on Right In the Middle Market), comes back on the podcast to talk about the accounting (and a few other) aspects of getting your business ready for a transaction.

Selling your company is about telling the right story to the right buyer at the right time. So, whenever the time comes – what is the tale you want to be able to tell? On today’s episode, we begin a new series on what you can do now to prepare for a successful transaction, and at a desirable valuation.

Beyond the impact to physical and economic health, 2020 also took a shocking toll on mental health. While the new year may bring a fresh bout of optimism, with the pandemic lingering on, I fear it is not long before four letter words once again take over our vocabulary. So let me beat the rush and offer a four letter word of my own – HOPE.

Each year, the week of Thanksgiving brings a veritable flood of messages about gratitude. But for me, and maybe you, this year there is a level of authenticity to those sentiments that perhaps has been lost in recent years. On today’s episode, we talk about gratitude as a pragmatic tip for sustaining and growing your business even in tough times, and our own expression of thankfulness.

In an increasingly global world, middle market businesses are engaged in cross border activity at ever earlier stages of growth. On today’s episode, we are joined by Marc Chandler, Chief Market Strategist, and Chie Nicholson, Managing Director, of Bannockburn Global Forex to learn about the foreign exchange markets, and strategies for even small and middle market businesses to benefit their bottom line through effective foreign exchange management.

I have always marveled at people for whom networking seems to come naturally. Kim Stapleton of the law firm Ice Miller is one of those people, and on today’s episode she breaks down her approach and best practices to make networking not only more effective – but more rewarding.

EBITDA is a phrase you often hear when talking about size, profitability and valuation of a company - but it actually isn't a technical accounting term. On today's episode, we'll talk about what exactly EBITDA is, why it's used, the rationale and methodology for adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA multiples.

For business owners who say that running their business has become less fun, Human Resources often tops the list of things they wish they didn’t have to deal with. So…what if you didn’t? On today’s episode we talk with Naydu Brandenburg and Erik Wayton of TriNet about the PEO model and how it can be the aspirin for your HR headaches.

On this 25th episode of Right In the Middle Market, we find silver linings in the state of the Middle Market and share what is coming in the next 25 episodes. Be sure to listen to the end for a special engaged listener bonus!

What kind of buyer would be best for your company? And how should different potential buyer types impact your exit strategy? On this episode of Right in the Middle Market we talk about strategic buyers, financial buyers, and a few in between – as well as 5 key questions you need to answer for an effective exit strategy.

Finding funding sources to help your potential clients is a fabulous - if unexpected path - to business growth. Amanda Wood of Becker is far more than a typical lobbyist – and trust me, even (maybe especially) if your company isn’t B2G, you are going to want to hear what she has to say about government funding as a potential revenue source for growing your business.

When you talk about investment banks, many people think of large firms driving IPOs. But how do middle market companies use investment banks to support their growth and exit plans? On this episode we go “behind the pinstripes” to talk about types of investment banks, the role they play in the middle market, and how their role is different than business brokers and consultants.

You brought in an advisor to help run your business or grow your company – but what role should they play? Is a facilitator different than a consultant? Or a coach different than a facilitator? Does it matter? On this episode we talk about how to define an advisor's role in the organization for the best outcome.

Business owners are known for getting things done and figuring stuff out - but when it is better to ask for help? On today’s episode we talk about how to get the most out of working with your advisors.

Today we take a pragmatic view on five things every middle market business owner should be reviewing – and potentially acting on now.

Strategy is one of the most mis-used words in business today. On today’s episode we talk about what strategy actually is in a pragmatic context and framework.

How can you drive decisions, not just gather more data with the software you use for your company? We talk with Joel Schneider of Liberty Technology Advisors about best practices with ERPs - or any system.

Defining Goals, Objectives, Strategy and Tactics; how they fit together, and their place in strategy development are some of the fundamentals of strategy development - and a primary source of confusion in the process.

Legal due diligence can sound scary to anyone selling their business. With Mike Mercurio of Offit Kurman, we discuss navigating this critical part of any transaction.

It may be years since you have been in school, but the end of summer still brings the sense of the change of seasons. Join co-hosts Stephanie and Mark to reflect on the\ summer of 2020, why we started the podcast, and how business owners can focus to make the most of the balance of the year.