Transitioning Your Company “To” and “Through” a Sale or Merger

Planning For Your Payback: The Marriage Process

The Call & First Date The Call The First Date No Mention About: From buyer, consultant, or broker The First Date Nothing to lose but a 2-hour lunch Discussions about chemistry, philosophy, clients, staff No Mention About: Price, formulas, multiples, timing

The Courtship Drinks and dinner vs. just lunch Discussions about desires and committed actions Visiting offices and meeting people Exchange basic financial information Term sheet - the “real” starting point Formulas, multiples, timing

Intimacy Touch and feel Questions about buyers financial information exchanged Skeletons in the closet

Living Together Learning each others’ intricacies Timeliness, neatness, organization Testing each other Opinions of family, friends, colleagues

Prenuptial Agreement Exchanging more detailed financial information Jockeying for position - Name, Titles Contracts drawn and reviewed Due diligence Final negotiation

The Wedding Attorneys, Accountants, and Consultants Should I back out? (seller’s remorse) Signing the marriage license Exchanging vows - “Forever One”

THIS IS ONLY A PARTIAL VIEW OF THE DOCUMENT.