Things to Keep In Mind to Hire Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Consultants For more profitable opportunities, increased market share and overall business growth, many small and medium business organizations in the US consider hiring experienced, hardworking, dedicated and qualified Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) consultants. Some businesses also consider M&A as a need for survival and corporate restructuring. This article focuses on things that any small business should consider while selecting an M&A consultant. 1. Essential attributes of M&A consultants For successful M&A transactions, the mergers and acquisitions consulting professionals must have some key attributes as mentioned below. Prior practical knowledge It is important to consult mergers & acquisitions consulting firms that have M&A consultants who have hands-on experience of negotiating M&A agreements. With their ability to correctly estimate the value of intellectual assets and likely recurring revenues, experienced M&A consultants play a critical role in the success of any M&A transactions. High confidentiality Often the process of M&A requires the highest discretion and non-disclosure. It is important to limit the number of potential targets, in order to maintain strict confidentially and avoid unnecessary leakage. Market knowledge In order to make any M&A transaction successful, consultants should have a high degree of intimacy with the market, both in terms of players as well as vital decision makers. Ability to assess businesses and people Consultants should be able to assess the management of any company, in particular the delivery and sale team, for the purpose of predicting their ability to perform or to explain why a particular venture has not performed in the past. Agility and responsiveness Speed, agility, responsiveness, and availability of an experienced M&A consultant are important components in dealing with complex and critical M&A transactions. Direct connections with key decision makers
Consultants can identify the relevant target for merger and acquisition, based on their in-depth experience and vast knowledge of this industry. Contacting potential M&A companies, especially in a very confidential way, has to be carefully handled and managed by experienced consultants. Consultants not only know how to approach these potential targets but possibly have a private and direct access to them. Mediations and formulations of compelling proposition A successful M&A transactions requires a win-win proposition to addresses the vital requirements of both the parties. These transactions also require mediation from the personal perspective of the respective partners, to take into consideration soft factors that can often be critical in M&A transactions. 2. What assistance M&A consultants provide to small businesses? Small businesses often hire M&A consultants and advisors for a number of reasons, like: They identify the counterparties matching the clients’ expectations. They also ensure suitable promotion or maintaining confidentially, as needed, using their vast network. Using their experience and knowledge of this domain, they valuate the business unit of their client on the relevant M&A deal. They finalize a fair expected band for the value of the deal. With the aid of their rich knowledge of this domain, they assist in arranging the necessary finance for the deal as needed. They provide necessary negotiations and advisory services with the financing firms. They negotiate on the deal with the counter-party. M&A consultants make an initial offer subject to deal contract to interested counterparties and shareholders. They help small businesses in the process of drafting the outline of post-integration services across their business operations. They provide assistance in drafting other necessary strategic decisions and schedules. To find out more about our Mergers and Acquisition practice, call Jim Gitney at (909) 9499083, email us at info@group50.com, or request more information here.