Ian Smith | The Portfolio Partnership

Why do Acquisitions Fail? Part 2 – Target Identification & Prioritization

by Ian Smith | Mar 2, 2023 | Acquisitions

This 6-part blog series is based on our Acquisitions Approval Model. In practice this model may not flow in a sequential manner because circumstances can change quickly. A target owner who is in dialogue with you in Phase 3 may stall for several months, motivating you...

Why do acquisitions fail? Part 1 Strategy

by Ian Smith | Feb 23, 2023 | Acquisitions

The acquisition of another company continues to be a graveyard of failed dreams, disappointments, and of course some bad luck. In a recent article in the HBR the failure rate cited based on most surveys is an eye watering 70% to 90%. It’s easy to find deals that...

New Book – The Jolt Effect (Best sales book I’ve read in years)

by Ian Smith | Feb 16, 2023 | Sales Tips

In 2001 Matt Dixon and Brent Adamson authored the best-selling book, “The Challenger Sale”. This time Matt has teamed up with Ted McKenna to publish the remarkable book “The Jolt Effect.” We are all in sales! From single entrepreneurs to multi-nationals. Closing deals...

Has Your Acquisition Been a Success? Private Equity Vs Public Company Comparison.

by Ian Smith | Feb 9, 2023 | Acquisitions

Acquisitions are often a graveyard of failed dreams. It’s not the fact they didn’t close. Sure, you got the deal done but so what. I’m talking about the deals that close but never deliver the value forecasted in the business case. Here is a little comparison to think...

The Portfolio Partnership Relaunch

by Ian Smith | Jan 27, 2023 | Acquisitions

It’s been a while since I’ve posted under The Portfolio Partnership (TPP) brand, actually over 3 years. I’ve been busy embedded in the Swedish public company Mycronic, helping to scale their US operations, project managing a build out of a state of...