Boosting Your Bottom Line: How Business Owners are Improving Sales with AI

Welcome to part four of our five-part series on how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the landscape for SMBs. Previously, we looked at AI’s benefits for productivity, customer service, and ideation. In this installment, we’ll investigate a topic foremost in nearly every business owner’s mind—sales.  Traditionally, sales have been the domain of person-to-person interactions, so you may be skeptical of …

Empowering Ideation Through AI: A Guide for Small Business Owners

In our ongoing exploration of artificial intelligence (AI), we’ve seen its dynamic applications across various fields. Having previously discussed the significant impact AI has on customer service, this third article in our series shifts focus to another crucial area: ideation. Ideation, or the creative process of generating and developing new ideas, is fundamental to business innovation and problem-solving. With AI, …

The Mirage of Hypothetical Added Value (HAV): Unveiling Real Business Worth

As veterans in mergers and acquisitions, Viking M&A often encounters business owners devoted to including hypothetical value in their business’s worth. So, while EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) is a widely utilized metric in the financial world, many business owners prefer EBITDA-HAV.    What is EBITDA-HAV? I’m so glad you asked. It is incredibly tempting to believe …

How AI is Transforming Customer Service: Practical Insights for Small to Midsize Businesses

Over the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has experienced explosive growth in the public consciousness, with innovations revolutionizing virtually every industry, from the arts to manufacturing. One area where automation with AI has proven immensely beneficial is in customer service. From chatbots and virtual assistants that respond to customer inquiries to predictive analytics that help SMBs target marketing efforts, …

How Business Owners Can Leverage AI for Increased Productivity

While the meteoric rise of artificial intelligence (AI) may provoke dystopian fears of humans losing their jobs to robots, the reality has been much tamer. Essentially, AI is a tool like the Internet or a calculator that can be more advanced. Astute business owners use AI to foster innovation, unlock new revenue streams, and stay competitive in the digital age. …

Advisor Highlight: Jackson Payne and Houston, TX

Jackson Payne’s journey in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) world has consistently exuded dedication, adaptability, and a personal touch. When he integrated into Viking M&A, he brought a passion rooted in helping entrepreneurs achieve their ambitions. His move didn’t go unnoticed, especially by his brother, Coleman Payne. Witnessing Jackson’s experience at Viking (rewarding work combined with a healthy work-life balance) …

Advisor Feature: Mike McCoy in South Florida

Mike McCoy is no stranger to the intricacies of business ownership and M&A. As a young professional, he audited substantial transactions at one of the Big Four accounting firms, Ernst & Young and later dabbled in buy- and sell-side quality of earnings for various transactions. It began a journey that would expose Mike to the relentless pace of mergers and …

What Is AI? 5 Ways AI Is Helping Businesses Now

Since its emergence in the mid-20th century as a subfield of computer science, artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from basic tasks like devising strategies for checkers games and solving algebra problems to an expansive field with applications throughout the arts, sciences, and business. As AI has become more accessible, companies are seizing on the opportunities artificial intelligence offers to improve …

Business Valuation vs. Appraisal

When discussing the concepts of business valuation vs. appraisal, the terms are commonly used interchangeably. However, they actually refer to two different processes with distinct purposes and methodologies. Let’s dive into what sets them apart.    Valuation vs. Appraisal: Two Main Distinctions 1. Physical Assets vs. Intangible Assets Appraisal of Physical Assets: Physical assets like machinery, real estate, and inventory …

Can I sell my business if I have an SBA loan?

Yes, you can sell a business with an SBA loan, but not without taking certain important measures. The most crucial measure is obtaining lender approval. With your bank’s approval, there are three scenarios for selling a business with an SBA loan: 1. Sell for more than you owe. If your business is valued for more than you owe on the …