Flipping the Biz Opp

A few years ago, one of the techniques recruiters used to gain access to corporate employee lists was called flipping a website. This, in brief, involved searching the internet for things in the public domain (Ie a personal website that linked to a project they client was working on) that provided a path (back door) to things that were not in the public domain. This technique has gone the way of the dinosaur due to increased security and firewalls across all sizes of business.

When going through the Due Diligence process with a business opportunity it is very common to receive a very specific list of licensees to contact about their experience with the business. They may have 500 open locations but provide a list of 20 people to call. Those lists are great but make sure you reach several not on the list provided.

So how do you identify those not on the list? Since most Biz Opp Licensees operate under unique names it can be very difficult identifying who is and who is not associated with the company on the internet.

Taking a trick from early internet recruiters, try "flipping" the biz opp to pull related licensee websites. Here is how....

Step #1 - Review the sites of the licensees provided. If you don't have thier websites on the list ask for them when you speak. While on their sites, look for common marketing phrases used, business explanations, form names, common articles, etc and make note.

Step #2 - Head to Google and query by these phrases in quotes to identify unlisted owners of the business and then contact them to continue your due diligence. Looking through the results you will be able to target those that are most like involved in the business.

Step #3 - Call them. Ask is they are affiliated with XYX business and the reason for your call.


Have a great weekend!

Rob