Restructuring is typically not on the tip of the tongues of CEO’s that are running profitable companies. However, we can take a page from restructuring to address the current market and position many companies find themselves in today. “Sometimes the best offense is a...
Discover the latest updates in the world of forward-thinking investment banking.
How to Avoid Seller’s Remorse in an M&A Deal
Industry Insights, M&A, Owner Considerations, Business Valuation
Many sellers enter the process of selling their private company with value expectations well above market as well as not being properly prepared. Then they wonder why they regret the results of the sale. You can avoid seller's remorse by doing the following things: 1)...
Absolute or Relative Earn-Outs in M&A Deals
Owner Considerations, Business Valuation, Industry Insights, M&A
In an M&A deal, an earn-out is an agreement between the buyer and the seller in which the seller agrees to receive additional payments—usually a percentage of the company's revenue or profits—based on the target company achieving certain financial milestones....
Why would you sell your company – Know your why.
Industry Insights, Selling a Business, M&A, Owner Considerations, M&A Education & Market, Strategic Advisory
Thirty years as a serial and parallel entrepreneur, having started, acquired, and sold 13 of my own companies after adding 22 acquisitions onto those companies (increasing enterprise value along the way) as well as advising hundreds of companies at Merit Investment...
5 Reasons Why Most Business Owners Fail to Sell Their Companies
Owner Considerations, M&A Education & Market, Strategic Advisory, Industry Insights, Selling a Business, Managing Risk, M&A
If you're a business owner, you know that retirement is one of the main goals of running a successful company. After all, 75% of business owners equate the sale of their business with retirement. However, many will miss their window based on their state of readiness...
Managing Emotions in an M&A Deal
Education, M&A, M&A Education & Market, Industry Insights, Managing Risk
When you’re gearing up for—or are in the middle of—the sale or merger of your private company, you are putting yourself into an elite group of entrepreneurs who are achieving what many others have failed to do. Pursuing an exit is hard. It’s even harder when you are...
Questions You Should Ask When Selecting Your Investment Bank
Industry Insights, Education, M&A, M&A Education & Market
This may not be the first time you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is he/she the one?” However, picking the right investment bank and lead investment banker to represent your potential deal to the marketplace is one of the most critical decisions you'll make in your...
10 Questions For an Ideal Exit – Outlier Outcomes
Education, M&A, M&A Education & Market, Industry Insights
Most owners of privately held business do not know if their business is sellable or what to do to achieve an Outlier Outcome at sale. An Ideal exit is one that is on your time, your terms and at your price. In order to help you think about orchestrating your own...
How to Prosper in Flight-to-Quality Markets
Industry Insights, M&A, M&A Education & Market
During periods of uncertainty, there is what’s called “a flight to quality.” Understandably, buyers of middle-market companies, when faced with rising costs, market uncertainties, lingering supply chain issues, or recession, etc., inherently become more risk-averse...
Developing an investor’s mindset – a seller’s mindset!
Industry Insights, Education, M&A, M&A Education & Market
Most business owners follow a somewhat reliable leadership pattern in the life cycle of their businesses. They go from working for, then in, and finally, on their business(es). Most successful CEOs and Entrepreneurs typically transition, despite occasional bumps and...
Middle Market Resilience: Confidence vs. Reality?
M&A, M&A Education & Market, Industry Insights
Given the current state of markets, the most common inquiry we hear (not surprisingly) is, “Is now still a good time to sell”? Great question. Historically, the middle market has often been insulated from the volatility of the SMB and public markets, repeatedly...
Business as “Unusual” – 5 Things To Survive the Next Quarter
Restructuring & Special Situations, Value Creation, Industry Insights, Managing Risk, M&A, Owner Considerations, Growth Capital, Exit Planning
1. Retention is the new growth. In a shrinking revenue environment, smart companies must ensure they keep their existing customers happy. Objectively, many companies do not have the time (or cash) to pursue new business which is a riskier pursuit than keeping your...