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A Pandemic’s Impact on M&A

By Generational Equity

Pandemic Impact M&A

One of the most surprising results of the worldwide Pandemic that began in 2020 has been the tremendous resurgence in M&A activity since 2021. According to a recent article in the Washington D.C. Business Journal:

As the pandemic has evolved, so have its effects on nearly every corner of society. One of the most interesting and perhaps surprising Covid impacts on business has been in the area of mergers and acquisitions.

According to KPMG, M&A transactions in the United States totaled $2.9 trillion in 2021 – up from $1.9 trillion in 2020. What’s more, deal valuations also rose to new heights in 2021, with 80 per cent of executives surveyed saying they expect deal valuations in their industries to continue to rise in 2022.

Several factors are driving this M&A expansion including:

  • M&A as a solution for labor shortages
  • A rebuild-and-recover strategy using M&A
  • M&A as an answer to supply chain disruption
  • An exit strategy for private owners via selling to a third party
  • M&A as an inspiration for transition planning

Ultimately, uncertainty always creates opportunity. As Warren Buffett once said:

Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.

During the current seller’s market, it is time for business owners to be greedy and, using the five driving factors above, find an optimal buyer to match the opportunities in your business.

You must ask yourself, in addition to my tangible assets (cash flow, leases, expected growth, etc.) what INTANGIBLE assets does my company possess that would address one of the five (or more) criteria above?

The reality is that you probably have some pieces of all five sitting in your Company – you are just too close to recognize them. If your business can answer the needs of buyers, you could be sitting on a gold mine of value.

But How Do You Know?

That is the challenge……

Far too many business owners discount the value of their companies because they don’t think like buyers. A buyer’s primary goal is the future; sellers spend too much time focusing on the past, reminiscing about the good times, fretting about the bad.

Buyers think only of how a business can meet one or more of the current M&A drivers listed above, and ultimately grow profits.

So, what does your company have to offer buyers? What sort of intangible, off-balance sheet assets does it hold? How can you value them? Which buyers are going to offer you the best option?

The Washington D.C. Business Journal has this kernel of wisdom:

With so much capital being infused into the markets, it pays to be prepared for unsolicited inquiries, even if you’re not currently entertaining offers. A good starting point is to obtain a current business valuation. The business purchase timeline has accelerated drastically, which makes it important to have a good idea of the value of your business before you find yourself weighing an offer.

That statement is so critical, we can’t emphasize it enough….

History is replete with business owners who take far less than their company is worth from an aggressive, driven buyer. If you have no idea what your company is worth, how can you even entertain offers, much less approach a buyer pool with your investment option?

Simply put, you can’t…

That is one of the primary reasons why the Generational system has been so very successful over the years. Before we take a client to market, we do a thorough valuation to determine the current economic value of the business (after carefully recasting its financials). The result is that every seller has a range of value upfront and can decide on one of two options:

  • Grow the business using our consulting team to enhance its value
  • Go to market now to locate optimal buyers paying an optimal price/deal structure

Listen to what a few of our clients have said about the value of our services:

Based on the current “froth” in the M&A market, having a plan is critical or you may leave chips on the table when the first buyer gives you a call. Unless you have significant experience in the M&A process, you will be at a substantial disadvantage when these buyers come calling.

So, visit with us at one of our Growth and Exit Strategy Conferences and learn how you can identify your intangible assets and how buyers will pay you for them!

Carl Doerksen is the Director of Corporate Development at Generational Equity.

© 2022 Generational Equity, LLC All Rights Reserved

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Through the sale process, Generational brought in several interested buyers and we closed in about 6 months. I am so glad I accepted that invitation to the conference and could not be happier with the whole process. The team at Generational coupled with their knowledge and guidance was so valuable that in the end, I know I could never have done this on my own!
JoAnn Ellis, Owner of Fondren 5 Star Kennels
The help you provided us during each step of this process made us feel very comfortable and confident we were selecting the right approach to transition our Company.
Andy Graham, Vice President, Modern Heating & Plumbing
Michael worked tirelessly, He followed every lead meticulously and urgently to make sure nothing was missed.
Robert Evans, President and CEO of Mealtracker Dietary Software
Greetings Mike. Thank you for the captivating and compelling presentation you made at the Phoenix presentation last week. Over many years in business yours was the most informative and well-presented presentation, on any subject, that I have ever attended! Your energy and enthusiasm combined with your concise and captivating support of your positions with easily understood examples and data was compelling.
Pete L.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all that you have done for us. Not only did you take care of all the aspects of the sale but took extra care to make sure we knew what it looked like every step of the way. I will definitely recommend your company to anyone that is in a position to or looking to exit their business.
Shane and Johanna Kline, Owners of Vision Upfitters
Thanks to you, the entire GE team and especially Michael Goss for driving a great valuation, coaching me and driving the process across the finish line. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to support GE going forward. P.S. Given my experience with GE I felt comfortable enough to sign up with Generation Wealth Advisors!
Tom Currier, Former President & CEO, Rackmount Solutions
The process was much more involved than I expected and your help, experience and advice was a big factor in making the negotiations go as smoothly as possible.
Terry D. Wickman, President, Keytroller
Your wisdom and experience were invaluable to me during this once-in-a-lifetime transaction.
Ralph Noblin, President of Noblin & Associates
T.D., thank you so much! You are a great leader! I love how you are using your gifts and talents to better others. You are clearly a GREAT COACH! This 3 day session undoubtedly changed the future of our business, and very well may have been the sole catalyst to save my company, my health and my marriage! A genuine “thank you” from the bottom of my heart.
Bryan D. Horn, Owner, Over Under Clothing
I am pleased that I was able to work with Andrew Byrd throughout this experience. From the first meeting we had in Minneapolis I felt that I was in good hands. His knowledge and expertise is second to none. He guided the process consistently throughout. I feel lucky that I was pared with Andrew and could not be happier that I chose Generational Equity to handle this major life event. Thank you Andrew and GenEq for everything!
Eric Erlandson, Owner, Action Fastenings, Inc.
After attending a conference with GE, I decided that the value they bring would be worth the expense and as soon as I started working with them, I realized that was the right decision. When we started to get LOIs, Fred Zweifel took the lead on the communication and supported negotiations throughout the process, which got tricky as we moved forward. I learned that it can be common for companies to make a great offer then work to erode that price with their discoveries, but Fred and the GE team kept that from happening.
Caroline Connelly, CEO, OptoTest
We knew it would be a difficult task to have someone really understand our business and our market, prior to researching a possible buyer, so it was imperative that we found someone of your caliber, with definite proven experience in this area.
Rick Nowak, President/CEO, Kurz Electric Solutions, Inc.
We were represented by Michael Goss with Generational. The due diligence was grueling and exhausting, but Michael propped us up and kept us motivated throughout the process. Debi and I continued to ask each other how we could possibly make it through this process without the assistance of Michael. Michael's professionalism and knowledge is absolutely amazing, and we are so blessed to have had him by our side as we made our future dreams come true.
Bob and Debi Lee, Owners of BL Technology, Inc and BL Tl Services, LLC
Thank you again for all your guidance and support. Any company will achieve what they intend, if they have you on their team!
Rick Nowak, President/CEO, Kurz Electric Solutions, Inc.
Generational Equity educated and informed us – so that we could be on the upside of a good decision (to sell).
Bil MacLeslie, CEO, ipHouse
I decided to attend the conference and hopefully receive some guidance on how to structure an exit plan of my business. Upon arriving at the conference, I was so impressed with the presentation given by Generational Equity that I set a future appointment that week to discuss the possibility of selling my business with their Senior Managing Director David Robinson.
JoAnn Ellis, Owner of Fondren 5 Star Kennels
I need to say an immense thank you to Don Ho for his stellar work ethic, attention to detail, and tireless effort. Also thank you to the whole crew at GE! Without you, Don could not do such a phenomenal job. We were shooting for closing and funding before the end of 2020, due to the uncertainty of the political landscape and taxes. I am happy to report we closed last week and will be funding tomorrow.
Dr. Caty J. Catron PhD, RN, VA-BC – Owner, Vic The Picc, LLC
I must say that I have never worked with a more driven, competent and focused individual as Don Ho.
Jay Dinnison, Owner of Sharpe Mixers
I wanted to write you a quick letter to express our appreciation and our delight on the outcome of helping us through the process of our recent sale. We are very happy with the end result, and are very happy to be able to move forward with all of our future growth plans.
Terry D. Wickman, President, Keytroller
The most important contribution I think Ahmad made was with his personality and work ethic. He is sincere, efficient, and very hard working. He was available to me at all times, whether it was for specific detail of the negotiation or just to talk through the bigger picture. He listened, advised, and recommended, but never forced his idea or opinions. In the time we worked together, he became a valued colleague and also a friend.
Salvo Stoch, Founder and CEO of Sleeping Partners
Generational Equity’s assistance was invaluable in compiling and marketing our business.
Bil MacLeslie, CEO, ipHouse
We were happy to see the interest in our company and what we cherished has not just a valuable company but an important company to the communities we served in.
Larry Moore, Owner, A Company Portable Restrooms
I quickly recognized that Don was working for Sharpe Mixers above all else, and held our interests above others.
Jay Dinnison, Owner of Sharpe Mixers
We had the pleasure of working with Mr. Ahmad Behjati Managing Director, M&A, for Generational Equity during our acquisition of Papa's Dodge in late 2021. Generational Equity and Mr. Behjati represented and marketed Papa’s Dodge. As our primary contact, Mr. Behjati was professional in every facet of this acquisition process, conveying valuable advice most times and assisting us in every step of the process.
Rick Greene of Dobbs Equity Partners LLC
The professionals at Generational Equity then helped develop a roadmap for enhancing the value of the firm and an evaluation report. This was completed by June 14, 2021. We then developed the Confidential Information Memorandum and put Taylor Studios, Inc. on the market by July.
Generational Equity’s professional staff helped me every step of the way. Their network and professionals are the only reason I sold my company this quickly. For me this is a once in a lifetime sale and I was unfamiliar with the process. I was able to lean on them with questions and concerns.
Betty L. Brennan, President, Taylor Studios
I couldn’t have asked for a better team than Michael and Deborah. We couldn’t have done it without them.
Robert Evans, President and CEO of Mealtracker Dietary Software
I would like to thank you and your firm, Generational Equity, for being our valued advisors in our journey.
Bil MacLeslie, CEO, ipHouse
We thank you Eric and Generational Equity making our dream come true.
Larry Moore, Owner, A Company Portable Restrooms
We are very happy with the end result, and are very happy to be able to move forward with all of our future growth plans.
Rick Nowak, President/CEO, Kurz Electric Solutions, Inc.