How to deliver a successful

business transaction

This may be during growth, for instance raising funds for organic growth and working capital needs or completing an acquisition for accelerated growth. 

Alternatively, this may be for succession or exit, allowing shareholders to extract hard earned equity and pass onto future generations or sell to larger corporates or private equity. 

For any business, these are pivotal and important events that need careful consideration, planning and management to ensure they are successful, and that they are the right transactions for the future of the individuals and corporates involved. 

From our experience, each transaction is individual and complex, however include key steps consistent across most: 

APPRAISE & PLAN:   

  • Step back and clarify your personal objectives and requirements from the transaction.  Ensure you are ready and it is the best type of transaction to reach your goals 
  • Review your business performance and position – including historical and forecast performance, cash and debt facility headroom.  
  • Map the market for competitors, document your USPs, and assess current and expected industry and economic trends and impacts on your business. 

PREPARE & RESEARCH:   

  • Compile appropriate presentation documents, for instance sales memorandum or funding packs.  These documents ultimately highlight the key financial and operational aspects of the business (presented in the most appropriate way to meet the goals for the transaction) 
  • Take time to research and agree target lists and preferred marketing approach to identify appropriate interested parties (which can be; banks, competitors, complimentary businesses, acquisitive corporates or private equity depending on the type of acquisition). 

GENERATE INTEREST:   

  • Approach the parties confirmed on target lists 
  • Arrange confidentiality agreements before further information is shared 
  • Circulate presentation documents for interested parties to appraise and calculate their interest 
  • Compare and contrast offers, negotiate and agree headline terms with preferred party 

COMPLETE DILIGENCE:   

  • There are many types of diligence, with the most common being financial, legal, commercial, and cyber – diligence will be required for funding purposes, equity investment or from trade buyer interest 
  • The ultimate aim for diligence is to provide a detailed assessment of the business on which to confirm whether or not to formally execute an acquisition 
  • Diligence can be a time-consuming process and confidence can be lost if not progressed efficiently 

EXECUTE LEGALS:   

  • Detail the commercial terms agreed into formal legal documents 
  • Document any key areas of concern from diligence conclusions 
  • Negotiations throughout this stage between the parties to reach an acceptable legal position  

It is key to have the right people on your side throughout a transaction.  Strong advisors can be invaluable in delivering added value to meet and exceed shareholder objectives.  We have detailed the typical advisors below (noting that this will vary depending on the type and size of transaction). 

  • Corporate Finance / Lead advisors – that will fully understand your business, present it in the best way and approach parties on your behalf as well as negotiating throughout and project managing all other parties. 
  • Lawyers – good corporate lawyers are a must. Legal documents can be complex and if not completed with experience and attention, can be costly or leave unnecessary risks post transaction. 
  • Banks – the large majority of transactions have an element of bank funding. An acquiror will likely use banking facilities to fund transactions, and structured succession such as Management Buy outs will also likely use bank funding. It is important to ensure you have a supportive bank for transactions now as well as future events. 
  • Other advisors can include; Due diligence providers, valuation experts (i.e. for property aspects) and insurance providers (i.e. for post transaction policies and Warranty & Indemnity cover).  

Ultimately, the key goal for any successful transaction is to reach the right outcome for the shareholders.  To help make this a success, it is important to present a strong business that is attractive to the desired audience, and to appropriately control the process and negotiations. 

CN Strategic Advisors pride ourselves in giving experienced, honest advice to our clients to understand their goals, and then partner with them to ensure they meet and exceed them.  We are experts in advising clients through the above transactional steps as well as providing commercial input and project management to maintain momentum through to successful execution of transactions. 

Get in touch to discuss how we can help you.