IBA (International Business Associates), commonly recognized in the business community as a market leader for knowledge & experience, maintains a blog featuring content from our professional team and industry colleagues as a library resource.   Information published in the venue is focused on selling and buying privately held companies and family businesses, plus topics relevant to successful entrepreneurship in the Pacific Northwest. The president of IBA, Gregory Kovsky, frequently provides content for the blog.  Mr. Kovsky has over 30 years of experience in mergers & acquisitions, business brokerage, and commercial real estate. He has personally completed over 300 transactions involving manufacturing, distribution, industrial, marine, education, retail, service, and technology companies.

IBA, the Pacific Northwest’s premier business brokerage firm since 1975, is available as an information resource to the media, business brokerage, mergers & acquisitions, and real estate communities on subjects relevant to the purchase & sale of privately held companies and family businesses.  Video and audio content from IBA is available on the video page of this website: Videos – IBA Business Brokers.  IBA is recognized as one of the best business brokerage firms in the nation in terms of successfully negotiating transactions that are “win-win” in an environment of full disclosure while employing “best practices” between the parties.

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Blog article submissions are welcome from the accounting, legal, banking, financial planning, and other industries affiliated with the sale or purchase of businesses and real estate.

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Sell a Business Articles

The Most Important Metric in the Selection of a Business Broker to Sell Your Company

My grandmother, Pearl, had an expression to describe a talented salesperson, she would say “that person could sell ice to the Eskimos”.  The expression resurfaced in my mind after reading the following story in the Wall Street Journal about the premium value being achieved for frozen water currently in specialized marketplaces.  https://www.wsj.com/science/environment/greenland-arctic-ice-dubai-trump-db2b4cae  As the saying…

The Art of Staging Commercial Properties: Enhancing Appeal to Potential Buyers

IBA, as the premier business brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest, is firmly established as a respected professional service firm in the legal, accounting, banking, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, and financial planning communities.  Periodically, we will post guest blogs from professionals with knowledge to share for the good of owners of privately held companies…

How Real Estate for Small Businesses Fuels Growth and Supports Exit Plans

IBA, as the premier business brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest, is firmly established as a respected professional service firm in the legal, accounting, banking, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, and financial planning communities.  Periodically, we will post guest blogs from professionals with knowledge to share for the good of owners of privately held companies…

Buy a Business Articles

Buyers Should ALWAYS Have a Business Plan When Purchasing a Business

IBA, as the premier business brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest, is firmly established as a respected professional service firm in the legal, accounting, banking, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, and financial planning communities.  Periodically, we will post guest blogs from professionals with knowledge to share for the good of owners of privately held companies…

Why You Want A M&A Intermediary Who Has Experienced Failure

“Failure is so important. We speak about success all the time. It is the ability to resist failure or use failure that often leads to greater success. I’ve met people who don’t want to try for fear of failing.” – J.K. Rowling IBA has successfully sold more privately held companies and family businesses than any other firm…

Seller Financing in Business Acquisitions

IBA, as the premier business brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest, is firmly established as a respected professional service firm in the legal, accounting, banking, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, and financial planning communities.  Periodically, we will post guest blogs from professionals with knowledge to share for the good of owners of privately held companies…

Entrepreneurship Articles

Forging Lasting Local Connections: Strategies for Building Strong Business Partnerships

IBA, as the premier business brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest, is firmly established as a respected professional service firm in the legal, accounting, banking, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, and financial planning communities.  Periodically, we will post guest blogs from professionals with knowledge to share for the good of owners of privately held companies…

Does your Company need a Makeover or just a Haircut?

IBA, as the premier business brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest, is firmly established as a respected professional service firm in the legal, accounting, banking, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, and financial planning communities.  Periodically, we will post guest blogs from professionals with knowledge to share for the good of owners of privately held companies…

Putting All Your Eggs in the Business Basket

IBA, as the premier business brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest, is firmly established as a respected professional service firm in the legal, accounting, banking, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, and financial planning communities.  Periodically, we will post guest blogs from professionals with knowledge to share for the good of owners of privately held companies…

Business Brokerage Articles

IBA Spring 2025 Update

2025 is a special year at IBA.  It marks the firm’s 50th year serving the entrepreneurial community as business brokers possessing real estate licenses in Oregon & Washington.  As a company, we want to thank each and every business owner, party acquiring a privately held company or family business, attorney, accountant, wealth advisor, banker, business…

Advice for an Entrepreneur Selling Business and Real Estate Assets at the Same Time

IBA has an established reputation in the professional advisor community for employing best practices, possessing market leading knowledge & experience, having highly skilled intermediaries, and integrity.  It is not what you do when scrutinized that demonstrates the character of an individual or organization, but what you do when no one is watching.  There are limited…

Buddha’s Business Brokerage Wisdom

On a December 2024 family trip to Thailand & Cambodia, I read Karen Armstrong’s book, Buddha (https://www.amazon.sg/Buddha-Karen-Armstrong/dp/0143034367), to better understand the dominant religion in that part of the world.  Over 93% of the population of Thailand observes the Buddhist faith. The percentage exceeds 97% in Cambodia.  Three elements of Buddha’s teachings resonated with me as…

Information Resources

Discount Rates: An Important Factor In Valuing a Business

IBA, as the premier business brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest, is firmly established as a respected professional service firm in the legal, accounting, banking, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, and financial planning communities.  Periodically, we will post guest blogs from professionals with knowledge to share for the good of owners of privately held companies…

Freeing Construction Companies to Address Societal Deficiencies is Prudent Government Policy

I am a proponent for collecting diverse knowledge and thinking twice before having an opinion or taking action.  One of my sources of knowledge is the All-In Podcast (https://allin.com/episodes).  I find the weekly group discussion intelligent and thoughtful.  A recent podcast (https://youtu.be/KcmMOZKnKAk?si=uVln880TE5RuZWlL) had an excellent debate related to the present tariff policies being executed by…

Turn Your Retirement Savings into a Business: How ROBS Can Fund Your Dream

IBA, as the premier business brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest, is firmly established as a respected professional service firm in the legal, accounting, banking, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, and financial planning communities.  Periodically, we will post guest blogs from professionals with knowledge to share for the good of owners of privately held companies…

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