n May 25th, 2018, the major data privacy legislation known as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) takes effect. GDPR introduces substantial changes to existing European Union privacy laws and provides a regulatory framework for the treatment of personal data belonging to EU citizens. Given the linkage between personal data exchange and transaction activity, teams engaged in deal … Read more
The impetus for corporate venturing is obvious: a corporation’s investment in startup companies can create new means to drive growth, financial return and advance strategic priorities. Generating valuable growth for shareholders, whether in the present or future, requires that companies clearly understand their strategy and operational capabilities. Clarity in these areas, and a demonstrated commitment … Read more
Technological advancement is changing the way companies compete. The torrid pace of innovation requires commitment to digital transformation in a way that few companies can keep up with using internal capabilities alone. This is why M&A transaction rates continue to climb. Companies with well-oiled deal processes find that these campaigns safeguard and advance their business models, … Read more
Environmental concerns are becoming an increasingly important part of M&A due diligence, yet they are still often overlooked. The key objective of environmental due diligence is the identification of all material environmental risks that may affect a transaction, either pre- or post-closing. Environmental issues can significantly impact the valuation of a transaction from the Acquirer’s perspective … Read more
IT due diligence should paint a clear picture of how technology helps the Target run its operations and whether there are any “deal breakers” that would cause the Acquirer to abort the transaction or to seek a price reduction (for instance, due to significant capital expenditure being required to upgrade IT systems). IT M&A due diligence is becoming increasingly … Read more
There are two main ways for a company to grow. One is via increasing sales and the general size of a company’s operations over time – a strategy often referred to as “organic” or “internal growth.” The other is via acquiring another company or a number of companies (it is also possible for a company … Read more
If you have decided to pursue an M&A strategy, and have identified a Target, consideration must be given to Due Diligence – an in-depth fact-finding exercise helping you to understand a Target in detail and establish whether the acquisition makes Strategic, Commercial and Financial sense for your organization. M&A due diligence is a crucial stage in … Read more
In the mergers and acquisitions landscape there is very little margin for error, which could explain why more deals fail than meet or exceed goals. The number of factors contributing to failed acquisitions is certainly a long list, and applies to every stage of the process, from M&A pipeline management through post-merger integration. This post focuses on one crucial … Read more