13 Exits and a Lifetime of M&A Experience: Revisiting Craig Dickens' Wisdom.

Welcome back to another edition of The Wise Exit!

In today's issue, we're covering:

• Insights from Craig Dickens: 13 Exits and a Lifetime of M&A Experience.

• The truth about merger and acquisition success rates.

• Why not every buyer deserves your business?

Let's dive in!

13 Exits and a Lifetime of M&A Experience: Revisiting Craig Dickens' Wisdom.

Last July, we had the pleasure of hosting Craig Dickens, a serial entrepreneur with thirteen exits under his belt, on our podcast. His insights were so valuable that it's worth revisiting some key takeaways.

Let's dive into the wisdom Craig shared:

1. Understanding Buyer Intentions

Craig emphasized that buyers seek differentiated companies, not just those with high growth rates or strong financials. He stressed the importance of creating competition when selling your business to ensure fair offers and maximize value. Sound familiar?

2. Early Exit Planning

One of Craig's most striking pieces of advice was to start planning for an exit years before you're ready to sell. This includes having an investment banker on speed dial. It's about shifting your mindset from working in the business to working on the company, thinking like an investor to add strategic value.

3. Handling Unsolicited Offers

Craig warned that unsolicited offers often aim to buy companies at a discount. His advice? Pause, seek professional advice, and create competition to get the best possible deal.

4. Maintaining M&A Readiness

It is crucial to be prepared for unexpected events and able to pivot quickly. Craig suggested staying ready for an exit by maintaining strong financials, low customer concentration, and awareness of industry metrics.

5. Market Timing

Craig highlighted that the M&A market is influenced by factors like interest rates, capital availability, and economic cycles. He advised founders to know market conditions and align their exit timing accordingly.

6. Personal and Business Readiness

Craig distinguished between personal readiness (knowing your financial number and estate planning) and business readiness (proper accounting, strategic positioning, and being prepared to demonstrate value to potential buyers).

7. M&A as a Strategic Tool

Finally, Craig shared how M&A can be a powerful tool for growth and exciting, challenging situations. He even suggested that breaking up a business and selling to different buyers can sometimes be more profitable.

Craig's insights remind us that successful exits don't happen by chance. They result from careful planning, strategic thinking, and expert guidance. Whether you plan to exit soon or years later, these lessons are invaluable for any business owner.

Featured Blog 📰

Have you ever wondered about the actual success rate of mergers and acquisitions? We have.

In our latest blog post, we explore:

• Why M&As fail (and it's not always for the reasons you might think).

• The typical M&A failure rate (it might surprise you).

• Factors that influence M&A success.

• Strategies for improving your chances of a successful M&A.

Plus, we share some inspiring case studies of successful mergers and acquisitions.

Whether you're considering an M&A or just curious about the process, this post is a must-read.

Check out "Merger and Acquisition Success Rate - Ultimate Guide" on our blog.

M&A Tips from Brian Dukes 💡

Not every buyer deserves your business.

Here's why:

You've worked hard building your company — the late nights, tough decisions, and countless sacrifices.

As you're considering an exit, remember this:

You're not selling assets.

You're passing on a legacy.

So, let's talk about what really matters when choosing a buyer:

Read the full post on LinkedIn.

That's all for this week!

Remember: Successful exits are built on a foundation of knowledge, preparation, and strategic thinking. So, keep learning, stay prepared, and always think ahead.

Until next time.

Best,

Brian Dukes