BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE. BETTER DECISIONS.
Business Resources
Whether you’re buying your first business, planning for succession, exploring franchise ownership, or preparing to sell, our educational resources provide practical guidance to help you make informed decisions with confidence.
EXPERT ADVICE. PRACTICAL GUIDANCE.
Resources For Every Stage Of Business Ownership
Whether you’re considering buying a business, planning your exit strategy, preparing the next generation of leadership, or exploring franchise ownership, having the right information can make all the difference.
Our collection of guides and educational resources is designed to help you navigate complex business decisions with greater confidence. Drawing on decades of real-world experience advising business owners, these resources provide practical insights you can put to work immediately.
Explore the topics below and access the resources most relevant to your business journey.
BUYING A BUSINESS
How To Buy A Business
Buying a business is one of the biggest financial and professional decisions you will ever make. Understanding the process before you begin can help you avoid costly mistakes and position yourself for long-term success.
This guide walks you through sourcing the right business, financing the acquisition, completing due diligence, negotiating the purchase, and successfully stepping into ownership.
SUCCESSION PLANNING
How To Choose A Successor
Choosing the right successor is about far more than finding someone willing to take over the business. It is about preserving your legacy while positioning the company for continued success.
Learn the key principles behind identifying, preparing, and transitioning leadership so your business can continue to thrive for years to come.
FRANCHISE OWNERSHIP
Is Franchising Right For You?
Franchising offers tremendous opportunities, but it is not the right path for everyone.
Discover the insider knowledge every prospective franchise owner should understand before selecting, starting, or acquiring a franchise business, including financial considerations, operational expectations, and growth potential.
BUSINESS BOOKS
You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know™
The You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know™ book series was written to help business owners, buyers, and sellers better understand the decisions that shape successful businesses.
Written from decades of real-world experience, these resources provide practical guidance for buying, growing, valuing, and selling businesses while helping readers avoid common pitfalls.
BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE & PERSPECTIVE
Articles & Press Mentions
Explore practical business insights from Innovative Business Advisors along with articles and media features covering valuation, acquisitions, financial performance, growth, and business transitions.
FEATURED ARTICLE • NACVA MAGAZINE • APRIL 22, 2026
The Bankability® Method
Terry Lammers introduces The Bankability Method®, a practical framework for evaluating whether a business can realistically secure financing. He examines how cash flow, debt-service coverage, lender expectations, and realistic valuation assumptions can determine whether a transaction is truly financeable.
Articles & Thought Leadership
Due.com • March 19, 2019
How to Make the Most of Your Business Valuation (Even if You’re Not Ready to Sell)
Why a professional valuation matters—and how owners can use that information to make stronger business decisions even when a sale is not imminent.
Equities.com • March 20, 2019
3 Steps to Prepare Your Business for Sale in 2019
Three practical steps business owners can take to prepare for an eventual sale and approach the process with greater confidence.
Entrepreneur • March 25, 2019
3 Signs It’s Time to Move on From Your Startup
A look at several signs that may indicate it is time to begin planning an exit—and why founders should prepare before they are forced to make the decision.
CEOWORLD • May 9, 2019
Find Financials Confusing? Here’s How To Make Them Work For You
A concise look at the core financial statements and indicators that can give owners a clearer picture of company health.
Entrepreneurs’ Organization • June 7, 2019
Why Every Startup Needs to Shift Its Focus From the Checkbook to Cash Flow
Why growing businesses need to move beyond watching the bank balance and begin actively managing cash flow.
Born2Invest • July 1, 2019
Avoid a Disastrous Acquisition by Following These 5 Steps
Five areas buyers should examine when reviewing a potential acquisition to uncover financial concerns early.
Due.com • July 22, 2019
Use Accrual Accounting for Long-Term Success
Why accrual accounting can give growing businesses a more useful view of financial performance than cash-basis accounting.
Business.com • September 18, 2019
3 Non-Financial Factors That Affect the Value of Your Business
How management structure, diversity, and growth potential can materially affect business value beyond the financial statements.
CEOWORLD • October 5, 2019
How a Laissez-Faire Approach to Management Increases the Value of Your Business
Why reducing owner dependence and building capable management can make a business stronger and potentially more valuable.
American Express • October 18, 2019
Your Business Is Profitable — But Could You Still Go Broke?
Why profitability does not always equal healthy cash flow—and why owners need to understand the numbers behind the P&L.
IBA in the Press
See where Innovative Business Advisors and Terry Lammers have contributed perspective to national business publications.
Forbes • April 2, 2019
How to Become an Entrepreneur Without Starting From Scratch
Terry discusses the opportunity to acquire established companies as retiring owners bring more businesses to market.
American Express • April 30, 2019
6 Financial Reports to Help Monitor Your Business
Terry shares perspective on the financial indicators owners can monitor to better understand company performance.
Forbes • October 25, 2019
The Best Books to Help Entrepreneurs Grow a Business
You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know™ was included among seven recommended books for entrepreneurs focused on business growth.
Still Have Questions?
Every business owner’s journey is different. If you are looking for personalized guidance on buying, growing, valuing, or selling a business, the advisors at Innovative Business Advisors are here to help.