Mental models are frameworks used to guide perspective and decision making. Read more
Beyond the Numbers: Social Impact Investment Banking
What is social impact investment banking?
It sounds a little trendy—maybe even a bit made up.
But, it happens every day.
Why You Should Stop “Preparing Your Business For Sale”
Let’s start with a tour through some Google searches.
Note the tips given and steps advised in both of the search results. Read more
How to Overcome Your Four Biggest Fears After Getting an Offer on Your Business
Every business owner is battered by letters or phone calls asking about the sale of his or her business. You learn to ignore them or simply not put too much stock in them. But then, there’s a letter or phone call that’s different – you can tell there’s a real buyer on the other side. Read more
How to Start Strong in Your Business Exit Process
Honesty.
Selling your business requires honesty.
You must be prepared to answer the questions that buyers have in an honest, almost clinical way.
Starting strong in your business exit process involves being honest about your motivation, your numbers, your employees, your customers and your competitors.
It’s a bit like going to the doctor to get your moles checked – annoying, frustrating, a bit anxiety inducing but you come out on the other side aware of what needs to be removed and what looks a little funky but is actually just fine.
Read more
“Can I Afford to Buy a Business?” Two Frameworks to Help You Answer That Question
If you’ve ever considered purchasing a business, the thought right after, “I can be my own boss!” is likely “Can I even afford it?” Business ownership is rewarding in many ways- beyond finances. But it also brings lifestyle changes that impact those around you. It’s an investment you want to be confident in.
We won’t talk in absolutes about whether or not you can afford to buy a business. But, after a decade of seeing executives buy businesses, we’ve developed two frameworks that work in tandem for helping you answer that question.
5 Mistakes People Make When Valuing a Business
As merger & acquisition professionals, we know that much of our job is education. The work we do day-in and day-out is a little bit complicated, a little bit obscure, and a whole lot different than a business owner’s day-in and day-out work. We value and enjoy our role as educators but sometimes we get frustrated when our clients get tunnel vision and choose to focus on any problem but the one that matters. We find ourselves having the wrong conversation over and over.
70-90% of Strategic Acquisitions Fail – Here’s How Corporate Buyers Kill Deals
Strategic acquisitions have a historical failure rate of 70-90%. That’s a pretty dismal stat.
So, what are you doing wrong? And, more importantly, how do you properly lead your team in an acquisition process when the cards are stacked against you?
Below are five of the most common mistakes we see corporate buyers make when going through the acquisition process. These mistakes can be costly – especially, if the deal dies after you chased it for months. We’ve included reminders of basic, yet vitally important, acquisition principles that will allow you to steer clear of failure and action items to help your team gain momentum in the right direction.
The Value of Business Ownership
Is business ownership a valuable experience?
Read the story of Robert Drumm, a DVS Group client, to find out.
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Lawyer, brewer of beer, writer, dad, husband – all words used to describe Robert.
In 2013, he was ready to add one more role to that list – business owner. Read more
Investment Banking Done by Humans, Not Investment Bankers
Investment banking done by humans,
not “investment bankers.”
In an industry that’s known for being stuffy, arrogant and all about the numbers, we believe humans matter. Read more
Why M&A Firm Size Matters in Getting Great Deals Done
We like being a “boutique” merger and acquisition firm.
Bigger isn’t always better.
But, boutique doesn’t just mean small. Read more
Finding the Right Fit When Buying or Selling a Business
Your definition of success matters when getting a deal done.
For most of our clients, success isn’t the most money but the most right money. It’s about fit.
Take Randy Edge, for example. Read more
The Best Industry for Your Business Acquisition
“Which industry is best for
my business acquisition?”
Whether you are a corporate or individual buyer, one of your first questions in the process is likely that question.
Let me tell it to you straight – no industry is the best industry.
And I’m not just saying that so I don’t hurt any of the industries’ feelings.
You may have preferences and some industries may be better than others but, speaking from experience,
there is not a golden ticket industry that will take you to the chocolate factory of ideal businesses.
Buckle Up! 4 Ways Your Journey to Buy a Business Could Get Derailed
Are you properly settled in for the ride as a Blue-Chip Executive on the journey to buy a business?
The journey can be long and arduous, and you might get lost and never arrive, or crash on the way, or get distracted, or wind up at the wrong destination.
So, as you’re buckling your seatbelt, examine the ways your journey to buy a business could get derailed and then, take our tips to heart – they will help you stay on track.