David Braun
Author's posts
How Hitting Pause Can Help You Grow Your Company
As we’re nearing the end of summer, I hope you’ve had a chance to hit the pause button and take some time for yourself. Far too often, as leaders, we can get caught up in the day-to-day operations of running a business or become too focused on accomplishing the task at hand that we forget …
2 Foundational Questions You Should Ask Before Doing a Deal
Many executives don’t always give enough pause and thought to the foundational aspects of M&A. The focus is often on doing, not thinking. Of course, it’s natural to get excited about an acquisition, but before you jump into the action, take a step back and think about the “why” of a deal. Why are you …
Summer Blockbuster Deals – Verizon, Netflix Execute Acquisitions
Deal activity in the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) sector is heating up as companies acquire to keep up with evolving technology and consumer demand. The internet and smartphones have changed how people view and share information with consumers, abandoning cable TV in favor of streaming services that provide customized TV and music on demand. …
3 Ways You Can Find the Right Acquisition Target
36 percent of middle market companies struggle to find the right partner when it comes to pursuing deals. Most acquirers begin their search by looking at a list of for-sale companies only to come away from the process empty-handed and disappointed. Many for-sale companies are on the chopping block for a reason. They may be …
Uber Forms Joint Venture with Yandex to Reach Russian Market
Rather than spending all their efforts competing, Uber and Russia’s top internet company, Yandex, have decided to join forces. Uber and Yandex will form a joint venture operating in 127 cities across Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia and Kazakhstan. Uber will contribute $225 million and own a 36.6 percent stake, Yandex will contribute $100 million …
The Biggest Mistakes Acquirers Make and How You Can Avoid Them
If you pursue acquisitions, there is a high chance of failure. That sound harsh, but about 70% of all mergers and acquisitions fail. Deals fall apart before the transaction closes, suffer integration issues post-closing, or simply do not yield the return on investment that was expected. Think about the disastrous “merger of equals” between AOL …
What Every Manager Needs to Know About M&A – AMA Edgewise Podcast
Hollywood would have us believe that the bulk of M&A transactions are a ruse to split of up newly acquired firms, but the reality is most deals average $100 million in size and are not nearly as dramatic as the movies. In today’s environment, where the world is changing quickly, and customers are seeking additional …
Why You Shouldn’t Negotiate for a Win-Win in Acquisitions
When it comes to negotiation, we often hear about “win-win situations” where both sides benefit from the deal no matter what. While I understand the need to come to a consensus in order to move a deal forward, we’re not big fans of negotiation for a “win-win” because it implies you are also negotiating for …
Can Walmart be Fashionable? Big Box Giant Buys Online Men’s Retailer Bonobos to Compete with Amazon
While most of the news has been focused on Amazon’s acquisition of grocery chain Whole Foods, last week, Walmart also executed a deal. The big box retailer known for its low prices will acquire men’s fashion retailer Bonobos for $310 million as part of its strategy to build an apparel business to compete with Amazon. …
Amazon Acquires Whole Foods for $13.7 Billion to Break into Grocery Industry
Amazon may finally be able to break into the grocery industry by purchasing Whole Foods for $13.7 billion. While Amazon already has a grocery delivery service, AmazonFresh, which it first launched about 10 years ago, it has struggled to grow in the supermarket business. Amazon excels at ecommerce and, for the most part, has been …
