The Business Acquisition Podcast with Bruce Whipple

Many people learn the hard way when having conversations. Role plays are a great way to work out the kinks and improve your game. That is what this week's podcast is about. If you are looking to understand how to start the conversations with your prospects this free course can help. https://brucewhipple.com/freecourse 

What is the current economy doing for us? That is what this week's podcast is all about! And don't forget to get the "conversation starters." They are FREE and at https://brucewhipple.com/freecourse

Persistence in the face of adversity is a key trai in those that succeed That is what this week's podcast is about. p.s - The Outsourcing Masterclass is live. Check it out!  Here are the details. https://go.brucewhipple.com/outsourcing

Most people in business acquisitions stay busy but never become dangerous. They prepare. They plan. They organize. But they avoid the work that actually moves deals forward. In this podcast episode, I explain the difference between safe internal work and dangerous external execution. You will learn why real progress always involves exposure, discomfort, and interaction with other people and why activity that never touches the outside world cannot produce results. If your calendar is full but your pipeline is empty, this episode will hit home. To Your Success, Bruce

Most people believe the reason they are not closing deals is a lack of information. They are wrong. In this episode, I explain why success in business acquisitions is driven by personal standards, not intelligence, strategy, or motivation. You will learn: ·       Why smart, well-prepared people still fail to close deals ·       The real difference between people who execute and those who stay busy ·       How personal standards quietly determine your results ·       Why raising your minimum acceptable behavior accelerates success faster than learning anything new This is a direct, no-fluff conversation about execution, discomfort, and personal responsibility. If you already know what to do but are not seeing results, this episode will challenge you to look at what you are tolerating and what needs to change. To Your Success, Bruce

Most letters fail before they are even finished. They are generic. They are self focused. And they make it obvious that no real thought went into the person receiving them. In this follow up to Don't Be a Bot, I break down what actually makes a good letter whether you are writing to a potential board member or reaching out to an acquisition prospect who is not actively selling. I talk about how to show real background work without being creepy, why credentials alone mean nothing unless they translate into benefits for the person you are contacting, and how to think from the other side of the table before you ever hit send. If your outreach is not getting responses, this episode will help you understand why and how to fix it. Stop spray and pray. Start writing letters that actually get read.

Most bad deals do not fail at the closing table. They fail early, and people ignore the warning signs. In this short podcast, I explain one of the most valuable lessons I learned over 30 years ago from my mentor, Dan Peńa: the Doofus Test. The Doofus Test is not about catching people doing something wrong. It is about revealing who they already are. I break down the five observable pillars behind the test: Dependability Integrity Qualifications Intelligence Stability You will learn how small behaviors like punctuality, follow through, and the timing of compensation questions reveal everything you need to know about board prospects, advisors, banks, law firms, and acquisition candidates. I also talk about why your job as a business acquirer is not to convince people, but to qualify them. Why fixing or rationalizing early warning signs leads to bad partnerships. And why disciplined disqualification protects your time, your capital, and your future headaches. If you want to close better deals, build stronger boards, and avoid unnecessary problems, this podcast episode will change how you evaluate people forever.

Mid-January is where most New Year's resolutions quietly break. The goals are still written down. The intentions are still there. But execution starts to fade. In this episode, I outline a mid-January check-in for serious business acquirers. This is not motivation. It is accountability. I walk through: Why hope replaces execution for most people by mid-January How to use the Ivy Lee method to stay focused on what actually matters The difference between goals and execution commitments How to course-correct quickly if you are off track How to protect momentum if you are still executing If no one else can tell you worked this week, it probably did not count. This episode is a reminder that progress in 2026 will not come from intention. It will come from disciplined, uncomfortable execution week after week. Listen, apply, and then take a hard look at your actions. To Your Success, Bruce

Your biggest competition in business acquisitions is not private equity or investment banks. It is human BOTS. In this short podcast, I explain how most business acquisition practictioners' outreach fails because people behave like BOTS: no research, no listening, generic scripts, and zero follow up. More importantly, I walk through exactly how serious acquirers separate themselves from the noise by doing simple research, asking better questions, listening for what actually matters to the owner, and building trust instead of pressure. If you want sellers to remember you and eventually say yes, this episode shows you how. To Your Success, Bruce

Most New Year's resolutions fail by February.   Not because people lack ambition, but because resolutions are emotional promises rather than execution systems.   In this short five-minute episode, I reframe New Year's resolutions into something far more effective for business acquisition success. Affirmations that shape identity. Execution commitments that force action. Goals that become inevitable outcomes. This episode is for serious acquisition-minded entrepreneurs who are done preparing and ready to execute in 2026.   I walk through a simple, disciplined framework used by my most successful mentees and end with a practical exercise you can complete in one sitting.   To Your Success,   Bruce

December 26th is the most honest day of the year. The holidays are over. The noise is gone. And what remains is the truth about whether you are actually moving toward business ownership or simply thinking about it. In this podcast episode, I explain why nothing meaningful begins on January 1st and why waiting for the "right time" quietly destroys momentum in business acquisitions. This is a message for those who are tired of preparing and ready to act. I talk about the real difference between observers and successful business acquisition practitioners. Why silence is still a decision, and why discomfort is not a signal to stop but proof you are finally in the game. If you have been watching from the sidelines, this episode is your invitation to step forward. And I offer you a challenge. To Your Success, Bruce brucewhipple.com

Why do some mentees close deals faster while others stay stuck for years? In this podcast episode, I break down the exact traits shared by my most successful business acquisition mentees. These are not theories or motivational clichés. These are real-world behaviors observed across my decades of mentoring. You'll learn: Why discipline matters more than talent How focus and eliminating distractions accelerate results What massive action really looks like in acquisitions Why following the steps and sticking to your criteria protects you from bad deals The power of simply saying "next" If you are serious about acquiring businesses and want to understand what actually drives success, this episode is for you. If you don't know the steps of business acquisition ... you should. Here they are. https://go.brucewhipple.com/aabc  To Your Success, Bruce brucewhipple.com

Yesterday I did a video titled "Are You Stuck In The Past!? Here is the link if you missed it. https://youtu.be/JMNyXjW40UY?si=L8yC6pFGFJ3sK2H_    On this week's Business Acquisition Podcast, I'll discuss the excuses that hold people back and a "case study" showing just that. I have had an excuse at times as well, but I work hard at taking "excuse" out of my vocabulary.   It's all in this week's podcast, so if you think you're ready for some hard truths, give it a listen!    To Your Success,   Bruce Whipple https://brucewhipple.com/

Yesterday, I shared a video titled Two Of My Favorite VIP Stories! Here is that link if you missed it. https://youtu.be/G0nn1ola5m4?si=1tO94c6_S9jorY0d  The VIP Mastermind is the best mentoring program I do.  The doors are open between now and next Wednesday to add 2 or 3 members. Joining by next Wednesday will allow you to join our two-day virtual training on December 10th and 11th, so you can really jump-start your business acquisition journey. This week's podcast covers two VIP members' successes and one example of one member's experience and why it didn't turn out like he wanted.   Here are the VIP Mastermind details. https://go.brucewhipple.com/vipmastermind  To Your Success, Bruce Whipple.

It's the weekend of Black Friday and Cyber Monday - the traditional shopping weekend after Thanksgiving in the United States. Special sales are happening everywhere (so watch your email from me as well - LOL).    In my most recent YouTube video, I revealed why most people don't see failures as temporary defeats that teach lessons and allow course corrections. Instead, they tend to blame external factors when, in large part, they are the captains of their own ship and control the outcome.  Here is that video if you missed it. This podcast is Part Two to that video, discussing the importance of learning from temporary defeat, and what high performers do when they experience a setback.     To Your Success... and Keep Pushing!     Bruce Whipple   brucewhipple.com

It's time for a truth bomb... Most people who think they're good negotiators are actually terrible at it. Seriously. They don't prepare properly. They talk too much. And they panic when someone asks a question that isn't part of their "mental script." If any of this sounds familiar, today's your lucky day. Why? Because, in this week's podcast, I'm going to show you how to fix it. To Your Success, Bruce Whipple https://brucewhipple.com/ PS - Be on the lookout for a special Black Friday offer designed to help you sharpen your sales and negotiating skills!

A Time Log is a "No BS" record of your priorities and distractions.   It can be an incredibly powerful tool on your Business Acquisition journey!   How powerful?   Listen to this week's podcast and find out!   To Your Success,   Bruce Whipple https://brucewhipple.com/  

Do you want to learn the power of a well written obituary and how it can motivate you to take action and do great things?   On this week's Business Acquisition Podcast, I'll share exactly that.   I'll also give you a challenge!    It's all in this week's podcast, so if you think you're ready for some hard truths, give it a listen!    To Your Success,   Bruce Whipple https://brucewhipple.com/

Yesterday, I did a video as part one on this subject. Here is the link to that video.   https://youtu.be/bHAMpMlY_jo?si=28uHN0XrwjR6aqmC    This podcast is part two. The subject is that important and warrants more information for you.   The US government shutdown is affecting a lot, and banking is in that category.    How is the shutdown affecting business acquisition and SBA loans?   That is the subject of this week's video and podcast, and I point out the hidden opportunity that exists.    To Your Success,   Bruce Whipple brucewhipple.com   p.s. - Here is the seller finance course I mentioned.  Https://go.brucewhipple.com/sellerfinance 

Of the original Fortune 500 list in 1955, only about 49–60 companies are still on the list today, depending on how you count mergers and breakups. That's roughly 10%–12% survival over ~70 years.   Put differently, almost 90% of the biggest companies in America in 1955 are no longer there as standalone Fortune 500 companies today.   The churn has actually sped up. • More than half of the Fortune 500 companies from the year 2000 are already gone by the mid-2020s, acquired, merged, went private, shrank, or died. • That's 25 years, not 50.   On this week's Business Acquisition Podcast, I'll share my thoughts how you can best avoid being on that losing side of the statistics.   I'll also give you a challenge!    It's all in this week's podcast, so if you think you're ready for some hard truths, give it a listen!    To Your Success,   Bruce Whipple https://brucewhipple.com/