Form

The Above The Business Score

You know how overwhelming it is when you’re always chasing business fires? You’re always working with little to show for it, and that’s why we created The Above The Business Kit.You’ll confidently have control over a well-oiled machine by being above the business and not in or on it.
Through an 11-minute assessment, the Business Fitness Score is a crucial step in optimizing your business's future. Whether you are planning to exit now or in years, getting your Business Fitness Score now will allow you to:
• Diagnose what's holding you back from creating a company that can prosper without you.
• See your business from the eyes of a prospective acquirer.
• Identify what's hindering the value of your business.
• Verify what makes your business valuable.
1. Describe your business in a 140 character tweet.
2. Is your industry:

In declineGrowing at the rate of the economyGrowing faster than the economyunsure
3. Which best describes the exclusivity of your business to your customers?

We sell a commodity product/service that customers can get anywhereWe sell a product/service that customers can get from a few other placesWe sell a niche product/service that customers will struggle to get anywhere elseWe own a monopoly on the product/service that we sell
4. What is your market share?

90% or moreMore than 50%Less than 50%10% or lessUnsure
5. What is your relationship like with your customers?

I know each of my customers by name, and they expect to deal with me.I know each of my customers by name, and they usually want to deal with me rather than an employee.I know each of my customers by name, and few of them want to deal with me rather than an employee.I don't know my customers personally and rarely get involved in serving an individual customer.Unsure
6. What is your level of customization for each customer?

We offer a complete custom solution to meet the unique needs of each customer we serve.We have basic products or service packages but often heavily customize them for customers.We don't customize our products or service packages.Unsure
7. Estimate what percentage of your customers is Very Satisfied with your company:

Less than 25%25% - 50%51% - 75%More than 75%Unsure - I don't measure customer satisfaction
8.How often do customers refer your company to others?

AlwaysSometimesRarelyNeverUnsure
9. In the last 12 months, what portion of your customers submitted some form of complaint?

NoneLess than 1%1-5%5-10%More than 10%
10. Which of the following best describes your net profit margin? ( (Revenue - costs) / Revenue = net profit margin)

Our net profit margin goes down every time a new customer buys from us.Our net profit margin stays the same with each new customer that buys from us.Our net profit margin barely improves with each new customer that buys from us.Our net profit margin significantly improves with each new customer that buys from us.Unsure
11. How do you get paid by your customers?

100% after the customer gets what they paid for.An upfront deposit, followed by the full balance after the customer gets what they paid for.100% billed when the customer agrees to buy.Unsure
12. What percentage of your overall revenue did your largest customer represent last year?

1% - 15%16% - 25%26% - 50%51%Unsure
13. What is the potential impact of losing your largest customer?

Low impactSlight impactHigh impact but survivableHigh impact, and I won't surviveUnsure
14. What percentage of your sales/revenue is annually recurring revenue (subscriptions, contracts, and annual income streams that the customer has to turn off)?

None1% - 25%26% - 50%51% - 75%76% - 100%Unsure
15. What percentage of your sales/revenue is generated by you or your fellow equity holders?

None1% - 25%26% - 50%76% - 100%Unsure
16. How difficult would it be to replace the person that contributes the most to sales and marketing?

Very easyFairly easyFairly difficultVery difficultImpossibleUnsure
17. How difficult would it be to replace the person that contributes the most to product/service design and delivery?

Very easyFairly easyFairly difficultVery difficultImpossibleUnsure
18. How difficult would it be to replace your most important supplier?

Very easyFairly easyFairly difficultVery difficultImpossibleUnsure
19. What is your sales/revenue projected to do in the next 12 months?

DecreaseStay the sameIncrease by 10%Increase between 11% - 20%Increase between 21% - 30%Unsure
20. What is the possibility of your company selling more to existing customers?

ImpossibleThere are one or two complementary products or services that we can offer.There are a handful of complementary products or services that we can offer.There are a ton of complementary products or services that we can offer.Unsure
21. If you were just featured on Shark Tank and had five times more customers tommorow, could you fulfill the new influx of customers?

ImpossibleVery difficultFairly difficultFairly easyVery easyUnsure
22. How easy would it be to replicate your business in a new geographical area?

ImpossibleVery difficultFairly difficultFairly easyVery easyUnsure
23. Could your business survive for three months without you?

Yes, I've done it beforeSuffer a bit, but surviveSuffer a lot, but surviveIt won't surviveUnsure
24. If you could only achieve one of these goals in the next 12 months, which would it be?

Grow top-line revenue/salesGrow bottom-line profitBecome a more well-known master of my craft
25. Who would you turn to right now to build the value of your company? (Check all that apply).

AccountantBusiness brokerBusiness bankerBusiness coachBusiness consultantA close friend or family memberExit plannerFellow entrepreneurInvestment advisorLawyerM&A professionalNobodyOther
26. What is your definition of somebody wealthy?

Having enough money to do what they want, when they want$10 million in investable assetsHaving enough money to retire for the rest of your life with your current lifestyle
27. What is your biggest fear when it comes to selling your business?

Not getting what I think my business is worth.Not having anything to do in retirement.Disappointing my team.No one can run the business as I can.That my legacy won't be maintained.
28. What is your long-term goal for your business?

Sell my business to a 3rd party.Transition my business to my kids.Transition my business to my managers.Shut down the business.Other
29. What do you look for in an advisor?

A track record of advising with fast-growth companies.A track record of advising in my industry.A track of advising record in my city.
30. What is your trailing twelve months (TTM) revenue/sales?

Less than $100,000$100,000 - $500,000$1,000,000 - $3,000,000$3,000,000 - $5,000,000$5,000,000 - $10,000,000$10,000,000 - $20,000,000$20,000,000 +
31. When you compare the last two full years in business, what happened to your revenue/sales?

DecreasedStayed the sameIncreased by 10%Increased 11% - 20%Increased 21% - 30%Increased 30% +Unsure
32. What is your approach to financial record keeping?

We give our bookkeeper all of our receipts and let them figure it out.We track everything with accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero.We hire an accounting firm to conduct a "review engagement" each year.We hire an accounting firm to conduct a full audit each year.
33. What is your typical gross profit margin? ((Revenue - Costs) / Revenue = Gross Profit Margin).

Less than 40%40% - 60%61% - 80%80% +Unsure
34. What is your cash situation?

We need more than what we generate, and borrow cash alot.We need more than what we generate and sometimes have to borrow cash.We generate excess cash that we sit on for an emergency.We generate excess cash, which we distribute to shareholders regularly.Unsure.
35. How many contacts are in your email list?

None1 - 9991,000 - 9,99910,000 - 99,999100,000 +
36. What was your pre-tax profit last year?
Your company can't be valued without this information.
37. What was your pre-tax profit two years ago?
Your company can't be valued without this information.
38. Have you received a letter of intent (LOI) to buy your business in the last year?

YesNo
38. What was your pre-tax profit three years ago?
Your company can't be valued without this information.
39. In one sentence or less, what is your industry?
40. In which year did you start your business?
41. For many, many more years, do you plan on operating your business?
42. In what year were you born?
43. What would you do differently in your business if you had to start all over again?
44. What would you say if you were asked to justify contracting an advisor to help you with the 4 pillars of business (team, strategy, implementation, and financials) to a boss/colleague?
Should be Empty:

The Above The Business Score