The Parkwood Advisors’ approach to M&A begins with three fundamental beliefs:

1. M&A is a process rather than an event
2. M&A is a skill that should be developed
3. M&A capabilities should be in place “before the train leaves the station”

Our M&A advisory services are designed to support acquirers to maximize the speed and synergy capture of each deal, while minimizing potentially damaging disruptions. Our consultants are frequently engaged on the following types of assignments:

       M&A Capability Development.  We will develop and customize an organization’s end-to-end “business process” for conducting M&A activities and train your internal resources with the tools and insights to quickly and effectively execute these important process stages.  From strategic assessment of potential target candidates and due diligence through an accelerated integration approach, your team will understand the “M&A drill” and be prepared to deliver results.

       Strategic Assessment and Transaction Services.  We will work with you to determine potential M&A targets and discern optimum strategic fit.  We can lead or support your due diligence team effort, including the critical, but often overlooked, strategic due diligence surrounding issues pertaining to operations, marketing, customer, cultural, human capital, management talent, plus integration risks and objectives, pre-integration planning, and communications strategy.

       Integration Planning and Implementation.  We will lead or support your integration planning task force process.  Starting with a preliminary integration plan and objectives developed during the due diligence process, we provide a fast and highly structured planning process to bring together key resources of both the BuyCo and the SellCo to identify and implement essential integration requirements leading to fast decisions, good communication, early synergy capture, and seamless “day 1” operations.

Early-stage to mid-market companies need smart money to grow, not the first dollar they can find. Our team will take a direct, hands-on role to help you refine or develop your business plan, financial model, and growth assumptions while eliminating potential obstacles to prospective investors. Our experts are routinely engaged to help early-stage companies navigate the legally complex and financially difficult tasks of recapitalization and restructuring, debt work-out strategies, capital needs assessment and dilution analysis, representation and negotiations with prospective investors, and issues pertaining to upgrading corporate governance standards and leadership team capabilities. On capital raises from $500,000 to $10,000,000 we will then selectively introduce your team and financing proposal to our network of direct investors and help you gain traction with new, strategic sources of funding that understand your business and can quickly propel you to the next level. Services for mid-market companies with between $1 million to $10 million in EBITDA also include buy-outs, leveraged recapitalization, and a variety of debt financing alternatives.

These days, most companies know essentially what strategy to pursue. The primary failure points are strategic clarity and execution. Our team will work with you to review your existing strategies, issues, and operating results. We will then customize a streamlined strategic planning process for you and your leadership team, with selected inputs from other key internal resources or partners. We will help you draft the strategy summary and communications plan to engage your key resources and team members to fully understand and implement the plan. These services often include proven techniques such as strategy mapping, the balanced scorecard, incentive compensation plans and ongoing strategic communications and project implementation processes to ensure you accomplish what you set out to achieve.

Without the right people on the bus and in the right seats, your growth plan is not likely to get very far. Ineffective decision making and executive team dysfunction, failure to get adequate capital, and an inability to execute growth strategies are typical outcomes. We are routinely asked by clients to support on a wide range of human capital, organizational effectiveness and leadership tasks which have been a frustrating reality for many years. Let us help you optimize your people and your internal processes through services such as: leadership assessment and selection, performance management and incentive compensation, benefits assessment and sourcing, team and individual effectiveness coaching.

We routinely provide or source interim executives to fill essential short-term or transitional assignments. Whatever the functional expertise needed and at whatever level, our resources can provide the guidance and skill sets to help your team immediately tackle the challenge.

The Parkwood Advisors team is comprised of skilled presenters that are effective communicators in any setting from boardroom to break-room. We routinely conduct a variety of keynote presentations, seminars, and training programs highlighting proven best practices, real-world experiences and relevant applications for your team. We will be glad to customize a program to fit your specific needs, key events, and time frame requirements.