The Art Of Due Diligence

This is Part II of MerrillCorp’s series on Due Diligence and well worth a read despite the (free) registration required.

M&A has three distinct stages: pre-deal preparation; mid-deal due diligence, discussion and negotiation; and post-M&A integration. Each segment requires specific activity and planning that can greatly increase the odds of a successful M&A conclusion. In the first part of this three-part series, we discussed the importance of pre-deal preparation. By preparing for a transaction as much as 18months before an anticipated M&A event, management can collect and troubleshoot all documentation investors will want to examine to get the full picture about their potential investment. In this second part of the series, we will look at what to expect and anticipate as a deal moves forward, including how best to manage what can be a lengthy process of due diligence review.

THE SELL SIDE ENGAGEMENT

Once a company decides to pursue a sale and has completed at least a portion of the initial, internal preparation described in Part 1 of this series, most businesses enlist the outside assistance of an investment bank in a sell-side engagement … continued here.