MAF
Showing 65–80 of 244 results
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Ask the Advisor – Q: What is the “seller disadvantage” and how do I overcome it?
June / July 2015
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 414
Abstract: First-time business sellers often must negotiate an M&A deal with far more experienced buyers, putting them at a competitive disadvantage. This column explains how to overcome the “seller disadvantage” by relying on experienced advisors and leveraging knowledge about the company that only an owner would have.
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How to transfer your business using an ESOP
June / July 2015
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 633
Abstract: An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) can facilitate the transfer of a business to the owner’s children or employees over a period of years in a tax-advantaged way. This article discusses how ESOPs differ from management buyouts, highlights the tax advantages for certain owners and covers the potential costs.
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Staying power – Buyers can benefit when sellers take a postsale role
June / July 2015
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 614
Abstract: Business sellers may wish to retain a management role in their companies after they’ve been sold. Understanding that such an arrangement can aid the integration process and provide other benefits, buyers sometimes even require selling owners to stay on. However, as this article explains, other buyers are wary of a former owner’s involvement and need to be convinced of its merits.
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Retaining customers after your acquisition
June / July 2015
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 782
Abstract: The period immediately following the close of an M&A deal is fragile for customer relations, and buyers that don’t handle customers carefully could experience substantial attrition. This article lists some of the most common reasons customers flee and advises buyers to create a detailed retention plan to prevent losses. It also stresses the importance of good communication. A sidebar provides tips for keeping sales, marketing and customer service staff on board.
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Ask the Advisor – Q: What’s a presale audit and why should I perform one?
April / May 2015
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 419
Abstract: This column argues that business sellers should conduct a presale audit before they start looking for buyers. During presale audits, experts look for anything negative or inconsistent that might cause a buyer to reduce its offering price or even terminate an M&A deal. Experts focus particularly on employee and client contracts and financial records.
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Shape up! Buyers need to prepare for the market, too
April / May 2015
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 540
Abstract: To help ensure they’ll qualify for financing and are prepared to integrate an acquisition, business buyers should be in as good a shape to buy as their seller is to sell. This article suggests that buyers assemble a team of executives and outside advisors to review financial records, paying particular attention to debt. It also suggests that buyers review such functions as HR and IT and anticipate people and product redundancies.
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It’s out there – How to find your ideal acquisition target
April / May 2015
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 689
Abstract: Finding the right acquisition target isn’t easy. Buyers should perform both a qualitative assessment of a target’s strategic “fit” with its own organization and a quantitative analysis involving relevant financial ratios. This article explains how to weigh the advantages and drawbacks of prospective companies, emphasizing working with M&A advisors.
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Navigating the rapids of an M&A closing
April / May 2015
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 813
Abstract: Most M&A participants underestimate how much paperwork and communication will be necessary to close a deal. As this article proposes, the earlier parties prepare for this time-consuming task, the better. Larger and public companies must, for example, file paperwork in accordance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. And many companies need shareholder approval before completing a transaction. A sidebar lists parties that typically must know — and consent — to merger plans.
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Ask the Advisor – Q: How can I encourage employee cooperation during my business sale?
February / March 2015
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 414
Abstract: If a company ignores employee fear and anxiety about a merger, the individuals who compose the company can make a smooth integration difficult, if not impossible. This article explains that silence can make things worse. To ensure cooperation, it’s necessary to announce details of the sale as soon as possible, maintain complete honesty about any layoffs and work directly with key employees to secure their allegiance.
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Don’t get caught short – Why buyers need to line up financing early
February / March 2015
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 661
Abstract: Lining up deal financing before finding an acquisition target might seem like putting the cart before the horse. But given the still-volatile state of the economy, it’s important for buyers to know that they have the capital to fund a transaction. This article discusses several ways to secure financing and notes some of the risk factors that banks will ask about.
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Normalizing shines a better light on company financials
February / March 2015
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 567
Abstract: One of the many items on a prospective business seller’s “to do” list is to normalize — or adjust — their financial statements. This becomes necessary when various accounting methods have been used to reduce income and minimize taxes, and the business’s owner is paying expenses that a buyer might consider “extraordinary.” This article discusses how experts normalize depreciation, executive compensation, inventory, loan and lease items.
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When it’s time to sell – Sometimes, an owner just knows
February / March 2015
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 821
Abstract: There are times when putting a business up for sale is the best — or only — next step. All owners need to recognize the signs that they’ve reached this expiration date so they can properly prepare for a sale and start building the case for a reasonable price. This article describes personal and strategic reasons that may justify a sale, along with timing considerations. A sidebar offers pointers for surveying the buyer landscape.
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Ask the Advisor – Q. When during the sale process is my deal most vulnerable?
Year End 2014
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 421
Abstract: At certain points during an M&A transaction the sale is more likely to unravel. Special vigilance is necessary during these times. While it’s important to take seriously any disagreement that could become a deal-killer, it’s better to address issues before they lead to conflict. This column covers three points of vulnerability.
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Attract new investors with your business plan
Year End 2014
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 629
Abstract: Business plans aren’t only for young companies seeking initial financing. They can also help established companies make strategic decisions and communicate with lenders and investors when they seek new capital infusions. This article describes specific items a business plan should address.
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What’s their motivation? One simple question can yield a wealth of information
Year End 2014
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 612
Abstract: When business buyers first meet with the owners of a potential acquisition target, almost no question is more important than, “Why are you selling?” Similarly, a buyer’s impetus can tell the seller everything from how much it’s willing to pay to how it will handle integration. This article explains how a buyer’s or seller’s motivation can help determine whether an M&A transaction may or may not be worth pursuing.
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The promise — and perils — of inversion deals – Why everyone’s talking about these cross-border mergers
Year End 2014
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 835
Abstract: Corporate inversions have become the dominant means of making cross-border mergers. A buyer in the United States reduces its global tax exposure by finding a seller in another country with a lower corporate tax rate. Then the buyer “domiciles” itself in the seller’s country, either setting up new offices or taking over its target’s facilities. However, as this article discusses, inversion deals are controversial and new regulations may make them less appealing. A sidebar lists risks associated with inversion deals.