Good overview of valuation concepts, but if you want to sit down and actually come up with a number, try "Unlocking the Value of Your Business".

Will Yegge has the unique ability of being able to present a difficult subject in a logical, intelligent, concise and interesting manner.

Even though I have no background whatsoever in accounting, I was able to follow the information in this book and use it as my primary guide in valuing a company that I was interested in purchasing. It is a great resource for novices.

Although his work on valuation techniques is straightforward in later chapters, the 1st several chapters do not do an adequate job of explaining the psychology of business valuation, buying or selling or the 'intangible' of business value. Words such as 'steeds' and 'pestilence' belong in literature, not reference manuals. Are Cliff Notes available to decipher just what these chapters are trying to communicate? I am trying to buy a business;lots of hard work lay ahead. Why must this book start off so unclear?

In preparation to sell my business for appx $10MM I sought many references on how to make a professional presentation and and use methodology that would be reasonable and logical to lead to a sale. Wilbur has doen a great job with this and his other book, How To Sell A business. I recommend that anyone read there two before putting a package together. I have had many favorable comments from both principals and brokers concerning the structure of the presentation I was able do make using Wilbur's help.

Just what I needed as a small business owner who needed a basic understanding of both the art and the science of valuing my company. Heavier read than it looks, since I didn't needed to know everything about non-related businesses. I did need to know how what factors must be considered and how complex some deals could be. Yegge speaks from experience and that is obvious, helpful and most comforting.