The TobinLeff M&A Podcast

How to Avoid M&A Dealkillers When Selling Your Business

Studies have estimated that more than 50% of all M&A transactions do not achieve their expected value or never close. Even if those stats are remotely accurate, the results are disheartening because no business owner wants to go through the time, expense, and emotional drain of trying to sell their company only to experience a deal falling apart.
At TobinLeff, we pride ourselves on helping our clients get their M&A transactions closed on their terms. In this podcast, four of our partners — David Tobin, Bruce Bishop, Chuck Gottschalk, and Mary McKinney — share strategies and action steps to help avoid deal killers or reductions in purchase prices. Some of the topics discussed include:
How to set realistic expectations on value and deal terms
How to get in front of potential weaknesses and deal killers
How to package and present your value proposition so buyers know what they are buying and see value
How to approach the process from a position of strength
How to perform reverse due diligence to qualify buyers and be confident that visions and values align
How to control the due diligence process
How to make sure lawyers and accountants keep the deal on track
How to minimize deal fatigue and keep yourself and your team energized through the process

An Inside Look at the Selling Experience

In 2022, Maura Corbett sold her company, Glen Echo Group, to Berlin Rosen, a portfolio company of the PE Group, O2 Investment Partners. 
In this episode, Maura joins the TobinLeff team to discuss her selling journey and cover a number of topics, including:
How and why did she decide to sell her company?
What was her process for choosing an M&A advisory firm?
How did TobinLeff prepare the company and Maura for the process?
Why did she select Berlin Rosen and O2 Investment Partners as her ultimate buyer?
How did she involve key employees in the process and reward them when the sale happened?
What final advice would Maura give to owners considering selling their companies?
Watch or listen now for an inside look into M&A.

How to Sell Your Business For an Above Market Price

Why is it that some companies are able to sell for above — sometimes even far above — commonly accepted ballparks, or market price? Why can some companies command the higher multiple compared to others, where there’s continuous pressure on both price and the terms?
Learn how to make your business stand out from the competition so you can command top dollar for your company.

What Is An Exit Plan, and Why Do I Need One?

Nearly 100% of agency owners believe that an Exit Plan is an important element for their future financial security, but only 15% actually have a written Exit Plan in place. At TobinLeff, we believe that the most important explanation for this disconnect may be the most basic one of all: while the idea of an Exit Plan seems to make sense, most agency owners don’t really know what an Exit Plan is. For additional information on how to sell your company from a position of strength, visit our resources page.

Exit Pathways to Successfully Cash Out Of Your Business (Audio Only)

You’re ready to sell your business — now what?
You’ve built your business from the ground up, poured your life into it, and now you’re ready for your next step. Maybe you want to retire, or maybe you’d like to start your next business venture. No matter your reason, selling your company is a complex road to navigate on your own — so don’t go it alone.
Join the partners of TobinLeff in this podcast where they go in-depth on four potential exit pathways. Learn how to:
Sell to an independent agency or similar company
Sell to employees via an MBO
Sell to a Private Equity group
Form an ESOP

How Private Equity Groups Assess and Value Marketing Services Agencies

What goes into a private equity acquisition? In this episode, David Tobin interviews Nick Burger, a partner at the ZS Fund, who oversaw the PE group's recent acquisition of TobinLeff's client, Communicus. Listen in to learn how PE groups:
Value companies and assess opportunities
Work with management teams to support their visions
Determine important elements of deal structures
And more...
Learn more about TobinLeff's latest engagement here.

Exit Pathways to Successfully Cash Out Of Your Business

You’re ready to sell your business — now what?
You’ve built your business from the ground up, poured your life into it, and now you’re ready for your next step. Maybe you want to retire, or maybe you’d like to start your next business venture. No matter your reason, selling your company is a complex road to navigate on your own — so don’t go it alone.
Join the partners of TobinLeff in this webinar where they go in-depth on four potential exit pathways. Learn how to:
Sell to an independent agency or similar company
Sell to employees via an MBO
Sell to a Private Equity group
Form an ESOP

To Sell or Not to Sell: Don’t Let the Capital Gains Tail Wag the Dog

The M&A market is very active today, interest rates are at historic lows and banks are actively lending. Is now the time to sell your business because of potential increases in capital gains tax rates? In this episode, glean insight from partners David Tobin, Chuck Gottschalk, and Holt Vaughn as they discuss the pros and cons of selling your business based on the current market trends.

How to Sell Your Company from a Position of Strength

Selling your company is likely one of the most important transactions of your business career. When that time comes, will you approach the process from a position of strength or weakness? In this episode, learn how to:
Get your business house in order and be prepared mentally and financially
Qualify prospects and perform reverse due diligence
Negotiate favorable terms in the LOI
Take control during the due diligence process
Have a Plan B

How Strategic Communications can Increase Deal Value

Having a solid communications strategy and plan for an M&A transaction goes beyond an announcement to employees. Strategizing your company's PR even years before you're ready to buy or sell can maximize your deal value when the transaction finally takes place.
In this episode, David Tobin goes deep in his interview with PR expert Elizabeth Shea to provide listeners with action steps that can increase Enterprise Value for sellers and attract more qualified candidates for buyers.