Warren Buffett has been influencing the world of investing and business for decades. The annual Berkshire Hathaway letters have become an institution, solidifying Buffett’s status not just as a great investor but as a leading finance and investment writer. Nevertheless, even Buffett has to step aside eventually — and that moment comes at the end of this year, at the age of 95.

As one of the last of the baby boomers, born in 1964, and now having been in business for 38 years (anniversary was 21st September), I was reflecting - an activity that seems to be increasing with age! My life expectancy in 1964 was 67.6. To prove the point when I was just 6 my grandfather on my Dad’s side, John McGrath, tragically died suddenly from a heart attack age 66, a few months after retiring!

Richer, Older and Lonelier: How we have changed – an article from the AFR shines a light on the changing attitudes and behaviours of many Australians. A report out of Melbourne indicates that Australians are working well into their 60’s and delaying retirement. Michael Read in the AFR reported that “in 2003, almost 70 percent of men and close to half of all women aged 60-64 were retired. In 2023 these figures had fallen to 41 percent and 27 percent respectively.”

Australia is getting older! Next year 22% of Australians will be aged 65 or older. This is up from 16% in 2020, this was double the 8% in 1970s. The reasons for the spike are the spike in the birth rate after the war (the baby boomers), as well as falling birth rates, however, on a positive note Australians are living 30 years longer than they were a century ago!

Businesses in the Australian mid-market, of which there are 300,000 have a combined annual revenue of 41.trillion dollars making average of 10.4% net profit before tax. However, 20% of all operating businesses in Australia don’t make any profit! In this blog we address the very real question facing those owners who are not making any profit, is my business worth anything?

This is a frequently asked question as we meet owners considering their exit. The truth is, there are no easy answers to this question. We frequently see deltas of 50% or more between offers for the same business! Why so difficult? Why the volatility? The short answer is “strategic intent.” The motivation of the acquirer and the neatness of the business being acquired against the buyers’ objectives and preferences drives volatility. Two offers, 50%-100% apart are not uncommon, different parties see different things. Both offers are legitimate yet significantly different!