David Braun
Author's posts
5 Ways to Rethink Strategic Growth – #1 Understand Your Own Company
Before you can determine where you want to go as a company, you have to have an understanding of where your business stands today. Who exactly are you as a company? This is easier said than done. Over time, even founders of companies can lose sight of their strategic vision and get caught up in …
5 Ways to Rethink Your Approach to Strategic Growth
As a leader, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is to simply keep doing something because that’s the way it has always been done. It is easy to fall into this trap without even realizing it. Everyone is busy and it can be tempting to default to autopilot and keep going about “business …
Why Do Middle Market Companies Execute Acquisitions?
Acquisitions are about growing your company and every successful deal starts by defining your strategic rationale. In this post we’ll explore the top five reasons middle market executives are interested in pursuing M&A according to our State of Middle Market M&A 2018 report. 1. Increase existing market share Grabbing more market share a is an …
What Are Your Dreams? A Key Question for Successful Company Growth
On the wall of my company office there is a large inscription: We Help Clients Implement Their Dreams Note that the inscription refers to dreams, not goals. There is a difference. Goals are essential, the very stuff of successful business growth. But goals are the junior partners of something bigger. When Bill Gates founded Microsoft, …
3 Tips for Leaders from the 2018 Winter Olympics
Athletes from around the world have gathered for the 2018 Winter Olympics, which officially kicked off with the opening ceremonies on February 9 in Pyeongchang, South Korea. As you watch the games and cheer on your favorite team, here are three leadership lessons to consider. 1. It takes a team Expectations were high for American …
4 Reasons Why You Need an M&A Advisor
You can do an acquisition on your own, but there are many advantages to having an experienced third-party advisor. Should you hire an advisor for mergers and acquisitions? Many companies execute acquisitions on their own and are successful. In fact, there are entire corporate development divisions whose primary focus is to pursue mergers and acquisitions …
2 Reasons Why You Should Say “No” to Opportunity
Knowing when to say “no” to opportunity is just as important as knowing when to say “yes.” Growing your company is exciting and it’s tempting to pursue a good opportunity when you see it. Saying “no” does not come naturally to most of us. While you might be afraid to turn down an opportunity because …
4 Tips for Getting Your Acquisition Strategy Right
Many companies struggle to execute successful deals because they lack a strong M&A strategy. In a survey conducted by the National Center for the Middle Market, 38 percent of middle market companies said that developing the right strategy was their biggest challenge in M&A. That number may actually be higher because often companies react to opportunities …
Nestle Slims Down, Sells US Chocolate Business – 3 Lessons for You
Nestle is selling its US chocolate business, which includes brands such as BabyRuth, Butterfinger, and Crunch to Ferrero for $2.8 billion. The deal is part of Nestle’s strategy to sell underperforming brands and refocus on healthier products and fast-growing markets. Nestle recently acquired vitamin maker Altrium Innovations for $2.3 billion and is rumored to be …
M&A in Review: Top Posts from 2017
2017 has been an exciting year. From regulatory changes to tax reform, to the economy, navigating the business environemnt has been filled with ups and downs. Despite this, 2017 was a strong year for M&A activity, especially in the middle market. In light of the volatility, companies turned to smaller deals rather than larger transactions …
