Benefits of M&A: Unlock Value, Grow Your Business and Transition Ownership

When transition of ownership occurs through a merger or acquisition, the reasons behind the transaction can vary. However, one thing remains clear: with the right guidance from investment bankers, entrepreneurs seeking the benefits of M&A are able to unlock significant value. Whether an organization is on the buy side or the sell side of a transaction, understanding the benefits of M&A helps to define priorities and maximize value.

Is M&A Right For My Business?

After a lifetime of hard work, M&A can provide entrepreneurs with a rewarding financial exit from their business. Alternatively, entrepreneurs seeking to increase their capabilities are able to do so through a merger or acquisition by gaining access to new technology, resources, a business vertical, or even a more professionalized management team – among other benefits.

M&A Drives Growth 

When strategic or financial buyers acquire a business, they are able to leapfrog years of potentially slow, organic growth and overcome organizational challenges such as:

• Capital Fundraising & Debt Financing
• Cash Flow
• Building a Successful Culture
• Attracting & Retaining Top Talent

Preparing for the transition of ownership can be overwhelming. A strong advisory team understands the different motivations between financial and strategic buyers and therefore is able to lead the decision-making process to mitigate any potential weaknesses while maximizing deal value. 

M&A Can Provide Access to a Defined & Robust Culture 

An often overlooked but integral part of entrepreneurship and ultimately a driving factor in M&A, is a successful company culture. A clearly defined sense of a company’s vision and values helps articulate business priorities – or the how and why work gets done. If you’re a quality company with a robust company culture, not only have you witnessed this value drive profits at your organization, what you may not realize is how valuable your business is in the eyes of an investor. 

A successful culture can demonstrate how an organization acts or reacts to new initiatives and changing market conditions. Culture isn’t a sidebar in business – it’s everyone’s business in an organization. Understanding culture early on in the process has the potential to avoid difficulties during integration. 

When it comes to M&A, successful outcomes hinge on the ability to properly align and combine business cultures. In order to manage cultural integration properly, the merger team must also ensure that the right messages and behaviors are propagated throughout the new organization. 

M&A Expands Revenue and Increases Value

By acquiring another business, a company can expand revenue and increase its value quickly by: 

• Gaining access to intellectual property such as software, trademarks, research and development
• Extending product lines with an enhanced offering of products and services
• Eliminate a competitor – buy the competition
• Enhance economies of scale and buying power
• Financial leverage 
• Obtain infrastructure with access to supply chain, facilities and labor

An increase in market share can allow a business to expand their customer base and gain a larger presence in the marketplace. However, it takes time to sell a business, and an experienced advisory team will ensure to effectively pace the process to avoid deal fatigue and common mistakes.

As businesses seek to remain competitive and adapt to new market conditions, mergers and acquisitions are not merely a way for entrepreneurs to transition ownership of their businesses – M&A serves as a strategic growth stimulant for entrepreneurs to make their companies more profitable and easier to manage.

At SEA, we listen to you, understand your transition goals, and tailor our process to execute a clearly defined outcome. Call us anytime (215) 489-8881 or schedule a conversation here.