Are you weighed down by stress from problems you just can’t seem to crack? As leaders, every day we are faced with new challenges that keep us up at night, fortunately it doesn’t have to be this way. One of the most important components of effective decision-making is accurate data, which in today’s information age […]
In today’s internet age it seems like information is widely and almost instantaneously available. Just open up a web browser and type your search into Google and thousands of hits show up in less than a second. But how much of that information is accurate? Precise data is critical to every business decision, especially when […]
When you’re pursuing an acquisition, making meaningful connections with the right people at the right companies can be challenging. Who is the right person to contact? How can you go about contacting them? And once you do get in contact, what do you talk about to capture their interest? These questions are I frequently hear […]
“Keep your pipeline full,” I often tell clients when speaking about their acquisition prospects. By this I mean that in pursuing M&A you should research 75 to 100 companies. That’s a lot of companies and research, which of course you must record in an appropriate manner. How can you keep track of all your data? […]
Research is essential to the success of any business plan, including acquisition. The demand-driven, “markets first” acquisition process that I advocate requires thorough research. Only thorough research uncovers the most appropriate markets, helps you identify the best prospects, and sets you apart from other potential buyers. There are two levels of research to consider: primary […]
Quality research is an important part of the acquisition process. Thorough research allows you to fully understand the market and prospects for acquisition. In the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) blog, I explain how to effectively conduct primary and secondary research, including who to contact and how to overcome challenges you may encounter during your […]
Let’s say you have identified a specific company as a prospective acquisition. To get to know that company, you must do primary research, not just secondary (online or library) research. This involves getting on the phone and talking to people who deal with the company on a regular basis, and eventually to the principals themselves. […]