News & Insights

How to align your brand with your growing business

Like most of our clients, First West Capital is experiencing exciting growth opportunities and an evolution of our business. We’ve added new team members, opened new offices and partnered with many new mid-market businesses across Canada. Last year, we realized that our branding and marketing weren’t fully reflective of the business we’d become. Thus began a transformative journey to align the First West Capital brand with our growing business. Here’s what our process looked like, in case you too are having an “ah-ha” marketing moment:

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Keys to succession: Understanding the buyer’s journey

Featured in BCBusiness, in partnership with Business Transitions Forum With more than half of Canadian companies expected to change hands in the next decade, succession preparation is an important topic for business owners. But it’s something most don’t even consider until they’re in the throes of handing over the reins.

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How to navigate a tough retail landscape

Canadian retailers are facing an uphill battle as they fight for market share in a competitive and changing industry. With continued store closures across Canada, retailers are urged to find ways to get in the game – or risk disappearing. Phil Lichtsztral, Partner at Richter Retail Consulting Services, discusses some of the causes and cures of the current retail landscape.

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Does your business have a sustainable competitive advantage?

Entrepreneurs often use the words ‘capability’, ‘competency’ and ‘competitive advantage’ to describe their businesses. These definitions, however, are frequently misunderstood. Having a competitive advantage is more than having core competencies. This is why Amazon trades at over 170 times earnings while the average gas station can be purchased for three times cash flow. It’s important to clarify these concepts, which can provide a framework to help you identify and nurture your business’ competitive advantages.

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Trends in Private Equity

2015 was a sellers’ market with transaction multiples increasing. According to Vancouver investors, “7x is the new 6x” in the lower mid-market. It was also a strong year for private equity in Canada with a total of 399 deals – worth $22.8B – completed according to the CVCA. Of these, 239 or 60% were in provinces served by First West Capital.

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How to align your brand with your growing business

Like most of our clients, First West Capital is experiencing exciting growth opportunities and an evolution of our business. We’ve added new team members, opened new offices and partnered with many new mid-market businesses across Canada. Last year, we realized that our branding and marketing weren’t fully reflective of the business we’d become. Thus began a transformative journey to align the First West Capital brand with our growing business. Here’s what our process looked like, in case you too are having an “ah-ha” marketing moment:

under

Keys to succession: Understanding the buyer’s journey

Featured in BCBusiness, in partnership with Business Transitions Forum With more than half of Canadian companies expected to change hands in the next decade, succession preparation is an important topic for business owners. But it’s something most don’t even consider until they’re in the throes of handing over the reins.

under ,

How to navigate a tough retail landscape

Canadian retailers are facing an uphill battle as they fight for market share in a competitive and changing industry. With continued store closures across Canada, retailers are urged to find ways to get in the game – or risk disappearing. Phil Lichtsztral, Partner at Richter Retail Consulting Services, discusses some of the causes and cures of the current retail landscape.

under

Does your business have a sustainable competitive advantage?

Entrepreneurs often use the words ‘capability’, ‘competency’ and ‘competitive advantage’ to describe their businesses. These definitions, however, are frequently misunderstood. Having a competitive advantage is more than having core competencies. This is why Amazon trades at over 170 times earnings while the average gas station can be purchased for three times cash flow. It’s important to clarify these concepts, which can provide a framework to help you identify and nurture your business’ competitive advantages.

under

Trends in Private Equity

2015 was a sellers’ market with transaction multiples increasing. According to Vancouver investors, “7x is the new 6x” in the lower mid-market. It was also a strong year for private equity in Canada with a total of 399 deals – worth $22.8B – completed according to the CVCA. Of these, 239 or 60% were in provinces served by First West Capital.

under ,