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Lessons from Both Sides: Insights for M&A Professionals from Buy-Side and Sell-Side Experience

Mergers and acquisitions are complex transactions that demand expertise , foresight, and strategic thinking. Professionals who have worked across both the buy-side and the sell-side gain a unique perspective that can shape better outcomes. By understanding the motivations, pressures, and strategies of both buyers and sellers, M&A practitioners can navigate deals more effectively, avoid common pitfalls, and create value for all parties involved. Experience on both sides of a transaction also develops a heightened sense of empathy. Professionals learn to anticipate reactions, negotiate more strategically, and structure deals that address real concerns rather than theoretical issues. This dual perspective strengthens decision-making, enhances credibility, and supports smoother negotiations, ultimately improving the chances of successful execution. Understanding Buyer Motivations Buy-side professionals focus on identifying opportunities that align with strategic goals, enhance growth, ...

Seeing Both Sides: Timeless Lessons M&A Professionals Gain From Buy-Side and Sell-Side Experience

Mergers and acquisitions rarely succeed on technical skill alone. Over time, professionals who work on both the buy and sell sides develop a broader perspective that helps them make better decisions. This dual exposure reveals how motivations differ across positions, timing, and objectives. As a result, experienced practitioners anticipate concerns before they surface and guide transactions with greater precision. Moreover, perspective built over decades encourages patience and discipline. Instead of reacting to pressure, seasoned professionals rely on pattern recognition. They understand which issues truly matter and which often resolve on their own. Consequently, this perspective becomes a strategic advantage that younger practitioners take years to develop. Understanding True Motivations on Each Side Buyers and sellers often present polished narratives, yet their underlying motivations can differ significantly. Professionals with experience on both sides learn to look beyond stated...

Preparing Early: Why Due Diligence Should Start Years Before a Business Sale

Selling a business is rarely a single event. Instead, it is a long process shaped by years of decisions, documentation, and discipline. Although many owners think about due diligence only when a buyer appears, experienced sellers know that preparation should begin long before that moment. When owners understand this early, they gain more control, reduce stress, and often increase the final value of their business. Preparing for due diligence well in advance allows business owners to operate with clarity and confidence. Moreover, it helps transform the company into an asset that can withstand scrutiny, whether a sale occurs next year or a decade from now. Understanding Due Diligence as an Ongoing Process Due diligence is not just a checklist buyers use before closing a deal. Rather, it is a deep examination of how a business truly operates, earns money, and manages risk. As a result, owners benefit from viewing due diligence as an ongoing discipline rather than a last-minute task. When...