You’ve identified the perfect company to buy. The target has solid financials, a state-of-the-line facility, and a well-recognized brand name. Acquiring this company would double your revenue today. So, of course you should go for it. What could go wrong? Wait! Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure to conduct thorough market research. One […]
The possibilities may be endless, but your resources are not. For many business owners with limited time and money, deciding which ideas to pursue can be a challenge. Here are three ways to prioritize your options for growth: 1. Start with your company vision The best way to make sure you’re moving in the right direction […]
Most people tend to go with their “gut” when making decisions rather than relying on the accurate data. You might think you’re the exception, but studies conducted by psychologists Daniel Kahnerman and Amos Tversky show that “when it comes to decision-making, humans are predisposed to irrationality.” No one likes to think of themselves in this […]
Sometimes an acquisition that looked promising turns out to be less than ideal as you get closer to finalizing the deal. The question becomes: Should we proceed or should we back out? Join me for our new M&A Express videocast, “When to Walk Away,” on May 13th. M&A Express is new, complimentary resource for middle market […]
Entrepreneurs rarely face the challenge of having too few ideas. In fact, like most entrepreneurs and business leaders you probably have a multitude of great ideas for growing your own business. Your biggest challenge may be figuring out which of all the alternatives is the best way to get from where you are now to […]
Pursuing M&A is a passionate process. Emotions run the gambit from excitement in finding a new deal to anxiety about risks uncovered during the acquisition. I’ve found due diligence and negotiations to be among the most stressful times during mergers and acquisitions. Here are six ways to help everyone keep their cool during these critical […]
The New Year offers a fresh start for setting goals and creating a positive tone for the rest of the year. If you strategize well, you will find unique opportunities in the next 12 months to grow your business through M&A. Before rushing off to find companies to acquire, however, make sure you are looking […]
As I’ve stressed in an earlier post, I recommend including not-for-sale companies in your acquisition search. This will significantly expand your universe of potential acquisition prospects. However, with such a large pool, you must develop criteria through which to filter the prospects in order to narrow your options. The first step in establishing your criteria for prospects […]
As, you know I am a strong advocate for the “markets first” approach to searching for acquisition targets. The idea is that before you look for a company to buy, you define the market in which you are going to conduct your search. The reason for first selecting a market is to ensure that there […]
I always emphasize to my clients the critical value of painstaking market research and selection before considering individual prospects. Simply by conducting thorough research, you immediately separate yourself from the majority of company buyers and place yourself at an important competitive advantage. Choosing Market Criteria Choosing the correct market criteria may be tricky. Here are […]
