OUTLINE

An acquisition is just one technique to execute your strategy. Acquisitions fail the same way many strategies fail – execution. The Acquisition Approvals Model breaks down into six phases with a key approvals stage at the end of each phase. The six phases are Strategy, Target Identification, Assessment of Target & Price, Negotiate Price & Structure, Legal Completion, and Post Completion. The order is important. Our process map highlights the phases we implement to ensure clients achieve success. Please feel free to download a complementary copy of our latest Acquisitions Playbook published February 2015 and highlighted on the sidebar. In summary we help clients as follows:

1.     STRATEGY

• We review and develop your strategy
• We build your Acquisition Profile
• We conduct a Quick & Dirty Search – It is important to check quickly that targets exist that match your precise shopping list.

2.    IDENTIFY TARGETS

•  We help build a team using your staff for each of acquisition
• We project manage target identification.
• We collate key facts: in three strands, market intelligence, target info non people and people. Remember this is just the initial gathering of key facts on priority targets.
• We collate briefing papers & mandates

3.     ASSESSMENT OF TARGET AND PRICE

• We handle initial contact.
• We assist in early discussions with targets.
• We help you prepare board mandates to enter more detailed discussions.

4.    NEGOTIATE PRICE & STRUCTURE

• At this stage of an acquisition you are entering a dangerous phase of emotional attachment. We continue to keep you objective.
• We coach you through the final negotiation process to achieve the best price and the most effective deal structure.

5.     LEGAL COMPLETION

• At this stage you want to ensure that all due diligence is completed, commercial, legal, technical. There are usually several parallel projects going along at the same time including the draft purchase contract.
• We review all investigation reports and ensure all outstanding due diligence items are flagged up.

6.     POST COMPLETION

• The acquisition team meets as soon as possible post completion to review lessons learned. This one step has proven to be crucial to improved success according to all the merger research
• The post acquisition plan is now executed. Integrating an acquired company is a challenging problem.
  You need to think about practical action items in 30 day, 60 day and 90 day cycles. You need to dedicate a point person to ensure success. Integrations need driven. They don’t just happen. Our team are experienced at integrating acquisitions.

 THE PROCESS