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11 January 2024,
by Niel Dalrymple
Many acquisition strategies begin by examining a broad industry sector. Whilst this provides useful context, the most attractive opportunities are often found within specific niche markets rather than across an entire industry. The challenge is not simply identifying companies. It is identifying the right group of companies and understanding the characteristics that make that niche...
27 January 2021,
by Niel Dalrymple
How Company Intelligence Supports Commercial Due Diligence Commercial due diligence is designed to verify whether a business is genuinely as attractive as it appears. Whilst financial statements, management presentations and business plans provide important information, they represent only part of the picture. Effective due diligence requires independent verification of ownership structures, market position, competitive standing...
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How to Turn Company Research into Acquisition Intelligence Access to company information has never been easier. The challenge facing corporate finance advisers, private equity investors and acquisitive businesses is not finding company data but identifying which businesses represent genuine acquisition opportunities. Most company databases can generate lists of businesses. Far fewer help users understand which companies are strategically attractive, which ownership structures may… Continue Reading
Using Business Segmentation to Identify Better Acquisition Targets Most acquisition programmes begin by defining a target market. However, effective market definition requires more than a simple SIC code search. Businesses can be segmented using multiple criteria including industry activity, geography, size, ownership structure and financial performance. When these data layers are combined, acquisition teams can move beyond broad company lists and build focused… Continue Reading
Finding Better Acquisition Targets Than SIC Codes Allow Finding better acquisition targets than SIC codes allow requires a more accurate approach to market definition and acquisition research. However, SIC codes were never designed for acquisition research. Whilst they can provide a useful starting point, they often group together businesses with very different activities and can overlook specialist companies that may represent attractive acquisition… Continue Reading
From Known Companies to New Opportunities Many acquisition programmes and business development initiatives begin with information that is already available. This may be an existing customer list, a list of known competitors, previous acquisition targets or organisations identified through industry knowledge. The challenge is not obtaining company information but expanding that initial knowledge into a broader population of relevant opportunities. This… Continue Reading
Why Niche Market Identification Creates Better Acquisition Opportunities Many acquisition strategies begin by examining a broad industry sector. Whilst this provides useful context, the most attractive opportunities are often found within specific niche markets rather than across an entire industry. The challenge is not simply identifying companies. It is identifying the right group of companies and understanding the characteristics that make that niche… Continue Reading
How Company Intelligence Supports Commercial Due Diligence How Company Intelligence Supports Commercial Due Diligence Commercial due diligence is designed to verify whether a business is genuinely as attractive as it appears. Whilst financial statements, management presentations and business plans provide important information, they represent only part of the picture. Effective due diligence requires independent verification of ownership structures, market position, competitive standing… Continue Reading
Turning Company Lists Into Acquisition Opportunities Why Identifying the Right Opportunities Matters More Than Building Larger Lists One of the most common mistakes in business development and acquisition research is assuming that more prospects automatically lead to better results. Modern databases can generate thousands of potential companies in minutes, but the challenge is rarely finding businesses. The real challenge is identifying… Continue Reading
How to Evaluate SME Acquisition Targets With Limited Financial Information Most acquisition strategies begin by identifying businesses that meet specific financial criteria. However, many SME acquisition targets file abbreviated or simplified accounts that provide only limited information in the public domain. As a result, conventional screening methods based on turnover, profit or other profit and loss measures can exclude a substantial proportion of businesses before… Continue Reading
Why Private Company Valuation Is More Than an Earnings Multiple Business owners, investors and acquisition teams frequently ask what a company is worth. Unfortunately, there is no simple formula that can provide a definitive answer. Whilst valuation multiples are widely used in acquisitions and investment transactions, they are only a starting point. The value of a business depends on far more than its historic profits.… Continue Reading
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