My business is consulting on wealth creation for the private business owner – showing them numerous ideas – from how to sell the business, to huge unknown tax deductions even if they do not sell,  showing them four ways they can pay no tax on the sale of the business, showing them how to sell to employees, etc

I have read in this Forum that the Four Question format requires both extreme simplicity (got it) and also that the time to ask any type of personal question (like, “are you planning to sell your business) is inappropriate for lots of reasons (competitors would love to know this confidential info, for example).

Maybe this is a mental block that no one will share this in response to a LinkedIn approach. Thoughts?  I do have my initial four questions written but I thought I would ask this question of you first.  Hoping some business brokers have thought through this

Thank you!

Hi @marc-lewyn-2!

I understand your hesitation, if you read above your reply ^ we have a great standard 4 questions for someone like yourself. Keep in mind that this really isn’t a qualifying conversation. It’s a simple and effective way to just get them on the phone with you ASAP to then dive in a bit deeper. The questions above your post do not pry, I recommend you use those!

I would be grateful if you could review my 4 Questions:

(1) What’s the focus of you business this year?

(2) What is your plan for generating liquidity via a transaction someday?

(3) If I could share multiple options created by the nation’s largest and most sophisticated law and accounting firms to generate tax free/tax deferred proceeds to you and your heirs,  would that interest you?

(4) Great!  What’s your mobile?  I will message you to set up a time.

@negeen-dargahi

Negeen,

I used the questions, got the phone call set up, took control, but still found it difficult to transition from helping them to discussing real estate.  We got there, but it would be difficult to close on the first call if I’m not able to establish their real estate needs up front – don’t you think?  Please advise.

Thanks,

Angela