Today, SellYourWay.org announces the launch of a new, dynamic feature on their website, defining the Certified Business Intermediary® (CBI) designation. This interactive tool educates small business owners on the advantages of working with these highly qualified and ethical Business Brokers when preparing to sell their business. This new resource emphasizes the benefits of selecting a CBI® — a professional who has met educational and performance requirements — and remains committed to ongoing education on industry trends, standards, and best practices. SellYourWay.org is a website for small business owners powered by The International Business Brokers Association® (IBBA), the largest international not-for-profit association for business brokers.
When a small business owner sells a business, the very-best representation comes from a Business Broker who has achieved the Certified Business Intermediary® (CBI) designation.
The new, interactive feature on sellyourway.org breaks the designation down into six qualifications that business owners should look for in their Business Broker:
- Active IBBA® Members — A CBI® must be a member in good standing of the International Business Brokers Association® (IBBA).
- The Most-Educated Business Brokers in the Industry — To earn the CBI® designation, brokers must complete a total of 68 credit hours of specialized education, including coursework in Professional Ethics and Standards, Business Brokerage or Mergers & Acquisitions, and Legal Aspects of Business Brokerage or Mergers & Acquisitions.
- Experts in Valuation, Pricing & Recasting — CBI®s are required to complete a three-course Recasting & Pricing Summit on business valuation, covering methods including the Direct Market Data Method, Capitalization of Benefits Income Method, Excess Earnings Method and Multiple of Discretionary Earnings Method.
- Annual IBBA® Conference Attendees — Industry-leading courses, workshops and seminars at the Annual IBBA® conferences provide insights on the latest market conditions and trends in the valuation, sale and marketing of businesses.
- Successful in Passing the CBI® Exam — Once CBI® candidates have met all of their education requirements and passed the exams demonstrating their proficiency in each course, they can sit for the CBI® exam, which they must pass with a 70% rate or higher.
- Experienced Sell-Side Business Brokers — To achieve the CBI® designation, candidates must submit three deals for approval as the lead seller broker. To retain the CBI® designation, educational and performance requirements must be met every three years.
These rigorous education, examination and experience requirements help ensure CBI®s stay current on the latest market trends — giving business owners greater confidence when choosing a qualified professional to value, market and sell their businesses.
“For most business owners, selling their businesses is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Working with a CBI® ensures that the entire process — from valuation to negotiation to final sale — is executed with expertise and integrity. This partnership not only improves the odds of a successful close, but also provides sellers with peace of mind, knowing that an experienced professional is guiding them through every step of the transaction.” – Emily Bowler, Executive Director, IBBA
