The first step in any sell-side M&A engagement is clearly understanding our client’s goals.

What type of transaction is the seller seeking? For example, a sale of the entire business to an unaffiliated third-party, a recapitalization, an intrafamily transfer, or something else?

Does the seller or its management team intend to stay in place post-closing? This can dramatically impact what buyers would be good candidates for the business based on their preferences.

What are the seller’s valuation expectations?

How does the seller weigh purchase price, terms, and other factors like a transactions impact on employees, legacy, and family members?

Drilling down and establishing the client’s ideal destination is an obvious precondition to developing a roadmap to take them there.