The M&A Mastermind Podcast

The M&A Mastermind Podcast - Episode 13 - Navigating the Latest Market Trends in M&A

Welcome to The M&A Mastermind Podcast, your go to resource for the latest in industry trends. In this episode, we have an insightful conversation with Bob Dunn of GF Data, where he shares valuable insights into the intricate world of private equity.
Bob discusses the unique approach they've taken to gather information on private transactions and how they collaborate with private equity firms for data sourcing. Discover the virtuous cycle they've created with contributors who are not just providers but also consumers of the data, fostering a sense of trust and reliability.
Explore the challenges and opportunities in the private equity landscape as Bob talks about the 318 firms currently contributing data and the careful backdating process to maintain data integrity.
Dive into the specifics of the platform's focus on transactions above $10 million.
Join us as we navigate through the current state of the market with insights from their Q3 report, highlighting shifts in valuations, deal volumes, and the impact of rising interest rates on debt markets. Bob also sheds light on creative deal structures, such as rollover equity and seller financing, making this episode a must-listen for anyone navigating the private equity landscape.
If you're involved in private transactions, M&A, or just intrigued by the dynamics of the market, this episode provides a wealth of information to keep you informed and ahead in the ever-evolving world of private equity. Tune in to The M&A Mastermind Podcast for deep insights, expert interviews, and engaging discussions on all things mergers and acquisitions!

The M&A Mastermind Podcast - Episode 12 - Navigating Risk and Maximizing Value

In this episode, Nick Olsen engages in a dynamic conversation with Al Danto, an expert in entrepreneurship and M&A advisory, exploring a topic often overlooked in business discussions—risk and perceived risk. Al shares insightful stories from his storied career, shedding light on the critical role risk plays in business transactions.
They delve into the formal side of evaluation, touching on concepts like discount rates and capitalization rates. Al recounts his early experience buying a company at the age of 26, highlighting the fear and uncertainty that accompanied it. Drawing from behavioral economics, he introduces the prospect theory, emphasizing how humans tend to overemphasize downside risk while undervaluing upside gain.
The conversation unfolds into a fascinating exploration of risk perception in various contexts, from crime rates to bungee cord jumping. Al provides valuable insights into how fear shapes decision-making in the realm of investments and acquisitions, citing examples from historical market downturns.
As the discussion shifts towards M&A, Al explores the asymmetry of risk perception between buyers and sellers. He offers practical strategies to mitigate risk, emphasizing the importance of thorough due diligence and transparency. Al also stresses the significance of recurring revenue in enhancing a business's value, drawing from his own experiences in the printing industry.
The episode concludes with Al sharing his passion for educating entrepreneurs on risk management and preparing them for due diligence. He highlights the pivotal role of recurring revenue in minimizing uncertainty and increasing a business's market value. Join Nick and Al on this enlightening journey into the often-neglected world of risk, where they unravel its complexities and unveil strategies for creating value in the realm of entrepreneurship and M&A.
Key Topics:
1. The formal side of evaluation: Discount rates, capitalization rates.
2. The prospect theory and human behavior in risk assessment.
3. Entrepreneurial experiences: Al's first company purchase at 26.
4. Market downturns: Learning opportunities for investors.
5. The impact of fear on decision-making in M&A.
6. Risk perception and its role in shaping market trends.
7. Strategies to mitigate risk in business transactions.
8. The significance of recurring revenue in enhancing business value.
9. Educating entrepreneurs on risk management and due diligence.
Tune in to gain profound insights into risk, fear, and value creation in the world of entrepreneurship and M&A.

The M&A Mastermind Podcast - Episode 11 - Common Deal Killers

In this latest podcast episode, Nick Olsen engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Lamar Stanley, uncovering the critical elements that can make or break mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Diving straight into the heart of M&A dynamics, Lamar Stanley shares invaluable insights on the common deal killers that significantly impact the success of business transactions. They emphasize the paramount significance of alignment in these deals, highlighting the importance of continuity in management participation for sustained growth.
The conversation pivots around the criteria used by Lamar's team in targeting potential businesses. They delve into the importance of stable cash flows, customer diversification, and the power of a compelling business narrative that paints a clear path for growth. Unveiling the due diligence process, they shed light on essential deal killers that can jeopardize successful transactions and stress the necessity for transparency and timely disclosure.
As they peer into the future, Lamar shares projections for 2024, discussing expected deal volumes and the influencing factors, including the post-COVID stabilization and the impact of interest rates on market multiples. Their insightful conversation provides a comprehensive understanding of the nuances and crucial factors influencing successful M&A deals.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the potential pitfalls and critical considerations in M&A transactions, unraveling the common deal killers that can make or break successful business acquisitions.

The M&A Mastermind Podcast - Episode 10 - The importance of connection & collaboration

In this episode of the M&A Mastermind Podcast, host Nick Olsen, Managing Director of Cornerstone International Alliance, welcomes Sara Burden, the owner of Walden Businesses in Atlanta, Georgia.
They explore the importance of connection and collaboration in the M&A industry, emphasizing the significance of building rapport and trust with clients, as well as establishing strong connections with centers of influence. They discuss strategies for evaluating potential clients, the role of chemistry in client relationships, and the power of "golden" centers of influence in driving referrals.
Join Nick and Sara for an insightful conversation on how trust and connections can significantly impact success in the world of mergers and acquisitions.

The M&A Mastermind Podcast - Episode 09 - Corporate Finance in the UK

In this insightful episode, we delve into the world of corporate finance with Sarah Moores, co-founder of a boutique corporate finance firm based in the UK. With a mission to provide "London quality" advice to smaller businesses, Sarah shares her journey in setting up the firm and the unique challenges they address.
Sarah explains the distinct needs of smaller businesses in the corporate finance landscape, emphasizing the importance of providing full-service support, rather than just brokering deals. This is especially crucial for owner-managed and founder-led enterprises, as Sarah highlights, and it comes with fees tailored to the lower middle market.
The discussion then shifts to the state of the UK's business landscape, marked by events like Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and the "great resignation." Sarah paints a picture of the challenges and uncertainties facing businesses in the UK, which adds complexity to the process of selling a company.
Looking ahead, Sarah uses her metaphorical crystal ball to predict another year of uncertainty in the market before a possible return to a "new normal." She underscores the importance of early conversations about exit strategies for business owners.
In this insightful interview, Sarah Moores offers valuable advice on dealing with unsolicited offers to buy a business, emphasizing the importance of having an advisor on hand to navigate these unexpected opportunities effectively.
The conversation then turns to the critical aspect of preparation when selling a business. Sarah highlights how thorough pre-sale groundwork can uncover issues and discrepancies early, ultimately preventing potential deal breakers during the due diligence process.
Sarah's extensive experience in working with private equity firms comes to the forefront, as she shares her insights into the evolving landscape of private equity in the UK. She discusses the growing influence of private equity in both primary deals and bolt-on acquisitions in the small to mid-sized business market, shedding light on the benefits and challenges of private equity involvement.
This episode is a must-listen for business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the dynamics of corporate finance and the intricate process of buying or selling a company. Sarah Moores offers a wealth of knowledge and guidance, providing a roadmap for navigating the world of corporate finance.

The M&A Mastermind Podcast - Episode 08 - Enhancing the Value of Your Client’s Business

Welcome to another episode of the M&A Mastermind Podcast, your go-to resource for M&A trends and strategies. In this episode, our host Nick Olsen from Cornerstone International Alliance is joined by Jim Hoggatt, the founder of ExecHQ, a company dedicated to helping business owners on a path to success.
Jim shares his journey and the philosophy behind ExecHQ, a firm that serves clients ranging from startups to $500 million in revenue. They discuss common business challenges and red flags to watch out for, highlighting the significance of culture, cybersecurity, and customer satisfaction. Jim explains how ExecHQ collaborates with M&A advisors to enhance the value of a client's business, providing expert advice and practical solutions to maximize the exit strategy.
Tune in for valuable insights on increasing your company's worth and ensuring a smoother exit process, whether you're planning to sell in the near future or looking for long-term success. Don't miss this engaging conversation with an expert in the field.

The M&A Mastermind Podcast - Episode 07 - The European M&A Landscape

Welcome to another episode of the M&A Mastermind podcast! In this episode, your host Nick Olsen, Managing Director of Cornerstone International Alliance, brings you valuable insights into the European M&A landscape. Join Nick as he engages in a dynamic conversation with Hans Minnaar, the founder of Florijnz Corporate Finance, hailing from the Netherlands.
Hans shares his experiences and expertise in the M&A industry, shedding light on the intricacies of European markets. Discover how Florijnz Corporate Finance, celebrating its 10th anniversary, has successfully closed numerous transactions and ventured into diverse sectors. Hans also discusses the challenges and opportunities within the European market, touching on cultural nuances when dealing with different countries and industries.
Learn how the Cornerstone International Alliance network has been instrumental in facilitating cross-border M&A deals and enabling firms like Florijnz Corporate Finance to connect with potential buyers and sellers in the US. Hans and Nick delve into the growing importance of technology, artificial intelligence, and environmental sustainability in the M&A landscape.
Tune in to gain valuable insights into the European M&A landscape and discover how collaborative networks like Cornerstone International Alliance are shaping the future of M&A in a global context. If you're interested in expanding your M&A horizons, this episode is a must-listen!
Don't forget to like, share, and comment on this episode, and be sure to visit our website for more engaging podcast content. Thank you for your continued support!

The M&A Mastermind Podcast - Episode 06 - Finding your personal brand DNA

This episode's guest helps his clients become more well known by their ideal clients so they can impact more lives and drive growth of their business.
Jeremy Weber joins The M&A Mastermind Podcast to talk about laying the foundation to help you best serve your clients...and that starts with finding your personal brand DNA. Jeremy is a founding member and senior strategist at Brand Builders Group, one of the leading personal brand strategy firms in the world.
If you are interested in working with Jeremy, book a free brand strategy call with him here, https://freebrandcall.com/jw/.
To view all of our episodes, visit our website at https://cornerstoneia.com/podcast/

The M&A Mastermind Podcast - Episode 05 - Building a team and culture

There are many different ways to build your M&A practice. This guest's journey, as a young M&A entrepreneur, built up one of the more successful firms in Canada, and he isn't done yet.
Listen as my guest, Jim Friesen, founder and managing partner of Portage M&A Advisory in the greater Toronto, Ontario, area shares how he went from a business broker, to creating his own team of three and growing it 3x in a short period of time, all while creating and maintaining a great company culture.
If you enjoy this video, check out all of our episodes at https://cornerstoneia.com/podcast.
To learn more about Jim and Portage M&A Advisory, go to https://portagemaadvisory.com/.

The M&A Mastermind Podcast - Episode 04 - How to be a successful M&A solopreneur

Jim Cumbee, founder of Tennessee Valley Group, an M&A advisory firm based in Nashville joins the show to talk about how he's been so successful helping business owners sell their companies as a solopreneur.
With over 30 years of mergers and acquisitions experience, he is the most tenured advisor in Nashville. As a solopreneur, Jim has found ways in which he can be more efficient and effective on his own when serving his clients, while also having the ability to leverage his partnership with Cornerstone International Alliance and it's 85+ expert advisors when necessary.
Learn how being a solopreneur can lead to very successful M&A career.
To view all of our episodes, go to https://cornerstoneia.com/podcast.
To learn more about Jim's M&A practice, go to https://tnvalleygroup.com/.