1. Speculating about a seller’s motives
At the end of the day, you will never know why or when a seller will decide to sell their business. You shouldn’t care why or when – what matters is that you want to be on that shortlist of potential buyers when the sale comes. Even if an ideal prospect was not interested, says, six months ago, there is still the possibility that he or she may change their mind. Keep in close contact so that they will remember you when they are about to sell again.
2. Failing to remember that buying is selling
Not every company is sold to the highest bidder. Most sellers are concerned with the nature of the “fit” and the way they perceive that they and their employees will be treated following the sale. Compare it to the first few dates in a relationship. If you aren’t nice, courteous and respectful during the early stages, then why would your partner think about getting married one day?
3. Not using experienced professional advisers
For the first few acquisitions, it is wise to use qualified advisers. Naïve buyers and sellers frequently make mistakes, and mistakes can prove more costly than if they were to hire a professional adviser. Some buyers think that a failed acquisition effort is not worth paying for. Sometimes, though, you make more money by not doing a deal. The aim is to do a right deal at a right price for you. What your adviser can do is to keep you up-to-date about what competitor buyers are doing, both from direct experience and research. Their knowledge of the market can prove invaluable in helping you to bring an acquisition successfully to a close.
4. Discussing price without having an objective, underlying pricing rationale
Sellers who are offered four times the earnings before interest and taxes may be offended. If the difference can be explained by a severe working capital deficit, be able to demonstrate that your offer is really six and a half times this, less the necessary adjustment for the working capital you will need to inject into the company. Have the ability to articulate your valuation rationale and negotiate from it rather than adopt a “Higher!” or “Lower!” approach.
