SPRING 2024
NAVIGATING NEW HORIZONS: THE
FUTURE MUST INCLUDE INTERNATIONAL
BUSINESS BROKERING
Having had a focus for many years now on the
international Business Brokering scene, I can
share with you that back in the early 2000’s we
had many more international members, with
many from the EU and Australia. Business
Brokerage was prety strong and still is in many
countries like Spain, Netherlands, France, and
the UK. Many atended our conferences and back
then we even had an international cocktail hour.
Ten 2008 hit us in 2009/10, and we lost them all.
Tankfully, we are slowly seeing the comeback of
members from outside of the USA and Canada.
Tere is much to be learned from each other in
this community and also, there is an increase in
cross-border transactions (granted, more in the
M&A arena than Main Street). I am delighted
to say that we are working closely with the
Australian Institute of Business Brokers as
well as Transeo, which is an EU organization
established to support and promote SME
transference, in finding ways to collaborate to a
mutual benefit.
When delving into the evolving landscape of
international Business Brokering, and as the world
emerges from unprecedented global challenges,
the role of Business Brokers has never been more
critical. To this end, I would like to explore how
adaptation, innovation, and collaboration will be
shaping the future of our industry.
Te global market landscape is changing whether
we like it or not; we are clearly heading towards
a global economy with all kinds of emerging
markets and industries, representing growth
potential for many while posing challenges to
others. Geopolitical changes are also happening
and will impact both local and international
business
Additionally, technological innovations are
shaping our industry and profession. Reach
is almost automatically global; AI and other
emerging technologies including digital
transformation (including blockchain), global
payments, and more are enabling faster and more
secure deal-making; and as a result international
deals are no longer limited to the mega companies
but smaller transactions are happening and
growing steadily.
Te importance of Environmental, Social, and
Governance (“ESG”) with greater awareness and
demand for sustainability and ethical practices
of businesses is also filtering into due diligence,
and perhaps even side by side with Quality of
Earnings (“QoE”).
As Business Brokers, we need to build stronger and
larger networks if desiring to play, and succeed in
this inevitable international arena. Building those
relationships, especially with the movement of
people and businesses, will continue to be critical
in the development of partnerships, and successful
collaboration between brokers from diferent