The valuation of a business is an important exercise when an entrepreneur plans to buy or sell his business. It becomes necessary for most small businesses to calculate the value of their business for many purposes, which include valuation of loan application, estate planning, net worth calculation, and so forth. There are various methods for valuing business: the rule of thumb method, asset valuation or industry average valuation method.

The rule of thumb method involves a factor, or multiplier, to calculate the worth of a business. The same is projected upon a cash flow or profitability figure. The determination of the multiplier is also termed as EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes.) The profitability and cash flow of a business can also be calculated by a method called owner benefit. The method ascertains the discretionary cash flow that a business would expect in a span of one year. Discretionary cash flow determines the position of the money that would be available for paying business expenses and generating profit.

Asset valuation deals with businesses that are asset-driven for the likes of retail stores, manufacturing companies, wholesalers and the like. The valuation depends on accurately determining the value of the assets in the business. To determine the value of the business, asset valuation is added to owner benefit. Under the industry average valuation method, a study is undertaken of the business, which is in the same industry and has been sold in the recent past. The method helps the seller to reach a ballpark figure for estimating the true worth of the business. Normally, some of the factors that can affect the comparison are location, quality of asset, entry barrier and so forth.

Today all entrepreneurs or small business owners know and respect the importance of a business plan. The business plan has been noted by successful entrepreneurs as the single most important aspect of their success. But to most of them the benefit it has for their company after it has been used for an investment remains hidden. Therefore, it is important as it plays an important part in the growth and development of your business.

Business plans are documents that clearly describe the goals of the company along with all major and minor details regarding it. It is almost like a blue print of how you plan to build your company or organization. At the same time it plays the role of a medium to communicate through for investors and banks.

Not only does it guide your company towards its goals and accordingly the strategies are thought of, but even the management of your business relies on the business plan. Before you have written a plan you only have faint idea about what you plan to achieve and the milestones you wish to conquer. After the plan is written, the aims are clarified and you set up a plan of action. It describes everything about your organization.

Its position in the market and your products or services , a brief background story, your target customers, your budgets, your finances, strategies etc. it contains all details regarding the amount of money you need for starting up or carrying on. It is a financial tool.

The final, ready business plan can provide guidance to entrepreneurs for organizing and creating ideas to move forward. It would also contain details of where your company stands now, where it is going and where it plans to go. You can break down the goals into milestones to be achieved in a year.