Capstone Strategic’s survey reveals that 2019 was a modest year for mergers and acquisitions activity. Even though the number of respondents who engaged in M&A in 2019 dropped (from 52% to 41%) when compared to 2018, most respondents were generally positive and reported growth in their industries. 71% of respondents reported modest growth, similar to 2018 data (73%). Leaders from various industries generally reported a modest picture …
Category: Company and Market Research
Due Diligence – Tips & Tricks
Due Diligence is the most demanding phase of the acquisition process. Many companies start with a due diligence checklist in the public domain prepared by someone who has no knowledge of your organization or your deal. A prepared checklist such as this will likely not cover every aspect of the target company that is important …
Due Diligence – Key to a Successful M&A Deal
Due Diligence is an integral part of any M&A process. Due Diligence is the research and analysis one company does in preparation for a business transaction, particularly regarding an acquisition. The overall purpose of due diligence is to ensure that there are no surprises when the transaction is complete and integration begins. Here are three …
5 Top Reasons to Acquire
Acquisition is a great tool for growth. But before embarking on an acquisition journey, it is important to ask,” What outcome do you want to achieve from M&A that you would not realize otherwise? Each company’s situation is different, and the reason to acquire is different. Here are the top 5 reasons a company decides …
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 …
How Many Companies Should You Look at to Close One Deal?
How many companies do you need to look at to do a deal? This is a common question we get from clients. Experience tells us you need to look at about 100 companies in order to execute one deal. That doesn’t mean you go through formal due diligence with 100 companies, but you do need …
How Do You Find the Best Market?
How do you find the best market for your product or service? Capstone Project Manager Matt Craft answered this important question on the Market Selection Panel at the Virginia Conference on World Trade in Richmond, Virginia on October 30. Hosted by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), this is the state’s largest international trade conference and is focused …
4 Helpful Sources for Researching International Markets and Companies
Expanding internationally can provide numerous opportunities to grow your business using acquisitions, joint ventures or strategic partnerships, but before you can decide which market to enter, you’ll need to do some research. The data sources you use for your research will vary depending on location and industry and the specific information you are seeking. We’ve …
Committing to Research: Primary vs. Secondary Research
Research is essential to the success of any business plan, including acquisition. The demand-driven, “markets first” acquisition process that I advocate requires thorough research. Only thorough research uncovers the most appropriate markets, helps you identify the best prospects, and sets you apart from other potential buyers. There are two levels of research to consider: primary …
Developing Prospect Criteria
As I’ve stressed in an earlier post, I recommend including not-for-sale companies in your acquisition search. This will significantly expand your universe of potential acquisition prospects. However, with such a large pool, you must develop criteria through which to filter the prospects in order to narrow your options. The first step in establishing your criteria for prospects …
